Why such large variation in price re downloading/+buying Acronis True Image 8.0?

I noticed that there seems to be a large variation in price for downloading the product Acronis True Image 8.0. at different sites. The prices that I have seen are variable between $32.45(cheapest) to $49.00...

Personally I usually prefer to buy software from the original source, even if the asking price is a little more expensive then other places, yet usually I find that there is not such a diversity in the price (app 33%)!

I can't understand why the prices are so different for downloading the same product version 8.0 - albeit with a difference in the build?...

I should add that I refer to the prices only at leading established software sites, with a good reputation. I wouldn't go near any other then the top rated ones re downloads!

I mean if the software is the same version and can be updated to the same build, (even if initially some have earlier builds), what is the advantage buying from any reputable download source other then the cheapest?

I haven't purchased as yet, but plan to do so very soon.

Howard

 

I did not understand this either. You can go to Newegg and get it much cheaper. Are there any additional benefits for paying extra?

 

I will definitely buy it though where I have not yet decided!

Although a few people have had problems with the software, I guess when you compare the number of complaints to the vastly larger number of satisfied customers, it is well worth the purchase! Also there seems to be a lot of feedback from Acronis technical which is a good sign.

Many people only come to any forum when there is a problem and not when all is going well! I try to read any independant comparitive reviews whenever possible, to help me decide on which software to purchase..........Howard

 

My advice would be to buy it from any trusted software site for the best price you can find, immediately register it with Acronis, and check for updates.

I purchased my copy of TI this way, and when I checked at the Acronis web page for updates, it turned out that I already had the latest build.

-TomQ

 

Hello zoril,

Thank you for choosing Acronis Disk Backup Software.

You can visit Acronis online store to purchase Acronis True Image 8.0 http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/sales/online/.

We are always at your service should you have any questions concerning our softwares.

Thank you.
--
Irina Shirokova

 

I am intentionally not mentioning any other vendors by name, as it would be most unfair to do so in this forum! Hopefully others won't do either...

The product is excellent and the Company Acronis does deserve success for producing it...

Howard

 

So, if you haven't purchased it yet how can you make the statement that it's excellent?

Have you been using a 'bootleg' copy illegally?

We know that you can't fairly and accurately judge TI8 by playing with the trial version because it doesn't complete critical functions.

Just curious.....

 

I have used the trial version, which is perfectly adequate for me to assess whether it is excellent or not, even if certain functions are disabled...

As it happens I have no time whatsoever for ANYONE who uses illegal software. I have even less time for thoughtless immature people like yourself, who don't have the common sense and manners not to ask such idiotic questions, with no valid reason whatsoever for doing so!

Are you so stupid as to not realise that anyone who would use an illegal bootleg copy would NOT be discussing buying the software in this forum? The answer to anyone with a grain of intelligence is obvious...

Howard

 

Let's keep the personal comments/remarks out of this as per our TOS.

I personally think there's no need to suspect software piracy here - but I would also like tp be on the record for saying that it's actually amazing the amount of posts/threads about craks/warez that we remove here at Wilders. I haven't seen it much here in the Acronis forum but it's really quite surprising how many people post questions about their cracked AVs.

Anyway, let's please stay on-topic and civil here

As to the price differences my first idea is that it simply varies like any other product - searching to buy a PC game online will also bring up some very different prices.

 

I totally agree with you I dislike arguments. My initial reaction was to respond to a question that I felt was was inappropriate. Hopefully any other posts will only relate to the topic......Howard

 

The price diffrence is pretty easy to explain, although I don't know the details of course since I don't work for Acronis.

When you sell a program on your own site, you of course get to choose the price. Once you start selling it through 3rd parties, it gets more complicated. Often the contract states that you can't undercut them, so you have to keep your web site price at list and they can discount it if they wish.

How it probrbaly goes is if you buy it from Acronis at $50, Acronis gets $50. If you buy it from a 3rd party at $35, Acronis probably gets about $5 to $10 for that copy.

If the seller is big enough (can you say ones that get you into Wal-Mart) they might demand that Acronis gives THEM money for copies they sell on their site. No kidding.

What you get by paying more by buing directly at a companies site is they get more money. Of course, buying it through a 3rd party means that 3rd party sees more sales and is more likely to distribute future products.. so it's tough to say which is better.

 

Some very interesting points there!

Can the originating sofware Company not insist on a maximum/minimum selling price range? I haven't noticed such a differential in prices with products like Symantec. There is certainly a difference between different software vendors, but it is not usually as high as 33%...Howard

 

I purchased TI and BOCLEAN from a reputable and well known 3rd party vendor and have had no problems with updates or support. I don't see a problem in shopping around for better prices. There's obviously an agreement between the software company and these vendors or they wouldn't be selling them. Even though the software company may get less per sale, they make it up by selling more software because of increased exposure to the consumer.

 

Never had cause to find out but perhaps Acronis' refund policy is more generous than the 3rd party Vendor's? Just a thought.

Regards

 

Maybe Mind you hopefully I won't need a refund!

.....Howard

 

zoril - I used to work for a software company in marketing. Trust me when i say those reviews you read might not be as independent and unbiased as we would hope. You are right, though. Take everything here with a grain of salt. I'm sending it back because it doesn't look like it's going to work with my DVD+R, but that doesn't mean it won't work with yours.

 

You make a good point. It is not always easy to tell if reviews are impartial or not.

Having said that if I want to buy a virus checker for example, reading the results of the VB100% awards based on the success/failure rate of complex tests is as good a starting point as any...

I have also found that many items over the last few years I have purchased based on the reviews at Wilders.Org. So far I have had no complaints at all. The comments and statements there I have found to be both constructive and helpful...

Sadly some reviews with a few software download sites are very subjective, rather then being based on the factual comparisons of a number of similar products...Howard

 

I don't want a refund. I DO however want an effective program as advertised without silly issues such as "cannot write to media", "please insert CD media" (when it's already inserted duh), and ERROR this, error that.

All my issues revolve around TI's inability to successfully perform Image/Partiton backup directly to CD (spanned) media. = Plastic CompactDisc.........Memorex:Sony etc.

At least Acronis unlike Norton's doesnt leave you with a stack of beverage coasters for all your efforts. True Image just refuses to the job at the start.

 

Hello MIRROR,

Please correct me if I am mistaken, but we have asked you for the cdrecord.log file to investigate the problem, didn't we? If so did you get a reply from Acronis Support Team? Please let me know your Acronis request # which should have been sent to you in autoreply to your letter. I will find out how the investigation is going. There should be a solution I believe.

Thank you.
--
Ilya Toytman

 

Hi Mirror,

This emphasises a point that I made earlier. Acronis support does listen and tries to help. It is only fair initially to give them the chance to resolve the problem. Reading the different responses for other types of software in different forums, sadly the same can't always be said for a few other Companies, where sometimes the response is zero!...

Some of the posts that I have read re software problems in this forum seem to have been made occasionally without even first contacting Acronis, or in some instances waiting for their response! I feel that is unfair...

Maybe because of the complex nature of the software and the vast number of pc configurations, when a problem does arise, the solution can at times be more involved then simply adding a file etc. As such it might take additional time to analyse and resolve?

At the end of the day the important issue is that the problem is resolved, even should it take some time to do so, or on occasions if deemed necessary by Acronis, a patch added to sort things out, should the same problem affect a number of people.

It is a good sign and encourages me that if I have a problem in the future, that at least I can rely on Acronis technical support to try to sort it out for me................Howard

 

Hello Howard,

Thank you for your warm words. In fact, some problems may be resolved via Forum. Sometimes the description of the problem is enough to find out the reason and to provide the solution. However, more complex cases need some diagnostic info and we proivde the instructions on how to get this info and where to send it. We have very efficient system of problem investigating that allow us to contact our Development Team as well as our customers. This makes the investigation more faster and assures that everyone will get the answer.

Thank you.
--
Ilya Toytman

 

Well, indeed it is comforting in one respect that Acronis Support personnel do listen and reply to posts on issues with their program.

It is quite another matter to console the consumer when they feel cheated:

Now if Acronis Corporation would just get real and stop speculating and instead focus all their attention at the development/research stage of the organization before turning software loose to market that is severely limited, then that is a worthy effort indeed that is sure to attract and KEEP loyal customers as well as draw and keep many new ones.

Look at your competitors and advanced beyond their capabilities not sit at the same level of quality or lack thereof.

I was excited as anyone that Acronis came on the scene with this new version of a Imaging Backup program as it seemed Norton's had cornered the market with Ghost and bought out PowerQuest to gobble up (for lack of a better term) any serious threat to their monopoly in this area.

So if any of my comment and posted remarks seem "stinging" in content the reasons (my reasons anyway) are twofold. (1) We the consumer NEED CHOICES! EFFICIENT WORKING CHOICES! that perform as well as they are tauted to perform in advisements, and not be forced to have to fall back to unacceptable levels (products) we are trying to leave behind.

(2) I am extremely high on Acronis for stepping out ABOVE the pack (small pack) namely bloat leader Norton, and positioning itself to be a Leader in this technology software and not just pandering about as other vendors have. It's extremely disappointing to expect so much and then find so little (errors/bugs).

In spite of these current and very present limitations i am still convinced Acronis can and will do better in this field, in support of it's product, and is why i have no immediate intentions to turn away at this time but willing to sit this out untill the next build is released to resolve issues discovered thru this forum.

 

I Usually purchase Most items from amazon, they have A Price for true image 8 for: $39.99 + Tax And Shipping, since they get the softwaree from digerdirect.com is A Bit more expensive , just over $50.00 with tax and shipping

I Would purchase directly from acronis that way you are sure it is legal and you get it right away, upgrades I Was told that can only be purchased from acronis because A registered serial numberr is needed for the upgrade, first time purchase can be purchase anywhere so be cautious where you buy, is best to buy from the source

or you could buy from amazon from a re-seller which are usually ok and in new condition,anyway all you need is the serial number and then you can download the newest from acronis.

 

iflyprivate - your last post in this thread has been removed. Personal attacks and insults will not be tolerated. As this seems to be your second warning, I'd advise you to please re-read our TOS and adhere to the rules.

zoril, I have removed your last post also since the offending post has now been removed.

If this thread is to remain open, I will ask that everyone please stay on topic and refrain from bashing or making personal remarks towards other members.

Regards,

snap