And if you want/need to import existing thanks? That's the definition of bait and switch.

thank you

I think you need to look up the definition of "bait-and-switch" :)

By your logic, Windows should only come in 1 version and it should be free, because what if we want/need some feature from Windows Ultimate? Why should we be forced to pay for it when we don't even know if the feature is better than something Linux can provide?

We are offering the import script as a free addition to our Pro features. All our Pro features behave exactly as they are described and it costs exactly what we claim it costs (although vBulletin.org rules prevent us from putting price information here on vBulletin.org, the price information is readily available and easily discerned before any purchase is completed).
We are not obliged to provide the import script and it does not hinder the functionality of our product (Lite or Pro version) in any way, shape or form.

The fact that you or anyone else wants / needs the import script but does not want / need any other Pro feature is sadly just the way things work - sometimes a product appears that is perfect for your needs, sometimes you have to pay extra for other features you don't want in order to get the feature(s) you do want.

To return to my Windows analogue: Say that you need "Virtual Hard Disk booting" and only this feature (from Windows 7 Ultimate) - would you complain to MS and say that this should be available in the Professional version simply because Professional costs less and you want / need this feature?
The response would be that to get this feature, you need to purchase Ultimate.

I hope this clarifies things for you :)


Fillip

Fillips answer was very eloquent, but i guess it's my job to explain our position/choice in the matter.

As stated, there is literally nothing stopping you from installing Lite and disabling abe's mod to try our product out - this solves your problem right off the bat.

There is absolutely 0 need to transfer thanks etc to see how the product functions.

As far as I can see your complaint seems to be that the pro version does something you want, but you don't want to pay for it.

I'm sorry but you're not *entitled* to anything for free. No one is forcing you to stop using abe's mod, we are not shoving this down your throat. We are here providing a free modification which does exactly what it is intended to, bug free as far as we are aware.

We also offer another version which does even more, including transfer information from old mods you may have, and for our work we ask for a fee.

Your argument of "if you're not in it for the money give us it for free" doesn't really hold water. If we were to go by your logic we would simply release everything for free. Then this would be nothing more than a hobby and we wouldn't be able to put the time and resources into making the products as well as we do.

I'm sorry you feel that us asking for money from you for something you want is somehow despicable, but I have to disagree with you there.

Just because you want something and you have to pay for it, doesn't somehow make the person charging you a bad guy, and it baffles me that any mature person could hold that attitude :confused: This isn't some neccessity of life we're withholding from you here.

Just want to add that i personally know quite a few coders who have left vb.org, and almost all of them have named ungrateful users as the reason. Complaining that something you're getting for free doesn't include MORE stuff for free? I'd say thats both rude and unreasonable personally.

Hope that clears up my personal feelings on the matter,

Iain.

Looking into maybe getting the Pro due to the import but need to see what my staff thinks. Only reason I want the pro though is due to importing abe's thanked posts but my members may just want to start fresh who knows. Either product version looks kewl as there is still the like button.

I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from misrepresenting what I've said.

Not at all. Perhaps it's a language barrier thing but if you re-read what I posted my complaint is in the bait-and-switch strategy,

Please show me where I stated that I or anyone else is "entitled" to something free. What you are doing is providing a "free modification" and then littering the thread with promotions for the paid product. That's my primary objection.

Precisely. You were the one who said earlier it was not about money. I'm simply pointing out that in fact that's BS.

I don't object to anyone making money for decent products or services. I object to the use of the vBulletin.org peer community to push commercial products disguised as free add-ons.

Absolutely. For anyone who missed it, the clarification is this: DBTech is a commercial operation. Nothing at all wrong with that. However, they are promoting their products all over the vb.prg forums in a bait-and-switch manner which is underhanded and obnoxious. There's a lot wrong with that.

Just so I have your objections correct and there's no language barrier interfering:

You're saying that us providing free modifications is a bad thing, because we also provide paid versions?

So, simply because there are pro versions of our products, and we let people know this, you think no one at vb.org should get to download/use the free versions either?

Pretty sure most people would disagree with you there.

Still, since thats your stance, you're more than welcome not to use any of our free products to improve your board - this resolves your problem =)

There is no "disguising", there are no prompts to buy the pro versions in the product, no features installed with a "you cannot use with without pro" notice... Many people switch to our free mods from others because they do the same or more, and any bugs get fixed instantly, unlike with other mods.

So what you are saying is that even though our free mods are as good as, or better than, the competition, that thery're somehow a scam? Give me a break.


I hate to be the one to break it to you, but vbulletin.org was not designed around what you want. Everything we do is well within the rules. I'm sorry that vb.org isn't the exact website run the exact way you want it to be. Perhaps you should find another website that is instead of harassing people who give people things for free on this one?

Iain

I did ask you nicely not to misrepresent my statements. Please stop it.

See above.

Others have received warnings from vb.org for doing what you are doing (e.g., Maria). Want to offer a free add-on? Great. Want to promote a paid add-on? Also great. Just not in a thread about a free add-on.

For the record, I have purchased a number of paid add-ons and enhancements for my forums. This isn't about money. It's about misrepresentation.

If we are in any way breaking the rules, then we will be informed how and why by staff, and change them.

It is not your place to decide who is, and is not, breaking the rules, unless you have a usergroup that isn't displayed?

If not i suggest you allow the admins and moderators to do what they are good at, and not try interpret the rules for them.

Iain

Can you please explain where we have been "putting forth the fraud lures in customers by advertising a product or service at a low price or with many features, then reveals to potential customers that the advertised good is not available at the original price or list of assumed features, but something different is." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait-and-switch )

We have not, in any way, shape or form offered something that came with hidden fees, not been as stated or anything else of the sort.

Please refrain from using this term unless you are prepared to explain which definition of "bait-and-switch" you are referring to, and explain how exactly we have fallen under said definition.


Fillip