Boxed version equity

DataMeister wrote on 9/12/2007, 3:04 PM

I normally buy the boxed version, delivered inside the US. Never had a delivery problem. Are you saying you don't get your product half the time?

Serena wrote on 9/12/2007, 4:08 PM

I too pay for the boxed version and haven't had any trouble with FedX losing them. Delivery is remarkably quick.

JJKizak wrote on 9/12/2007, 4:29 PM

I always get the boxed version which is usually 8.0, then download the 8.0A version a couple days later.
JJK

farss wrote on 9/12/2007, 4:30 PM

I've never had a problem with delivery and yes delivery is quick and recently a much more reasonable price. My point there was there is the potential for this to happen. Let me try to explain what I'm on about because there is another problem, please bear with me as I compare the two scenarios:

a) Buy the download. Instant serial number, that you've actually updated in known and your "My Software" page updates correctly.

b) Buy the boxed version. Wait for the box with the serial number to arrive. You might wait some time to install it so until them "My Software" page doesn't know about your serial number and as I mentioned initially there is the issue of things possibly getting nicked in transit.

Now when you DO register your boxed version My Software page does not update correctly, I've logged a ticket over this and SCS know there's a bug in their website. Only took a few mesaages and a screen dump for them to recognise the problem, still better than most tickets I've logged.

So I see two simpler ways to handle the process:

a) When you elect to buy the boxed version online, the system works exactly the same as if you bought the download except the box and the same goodies gets shipped, doesn't even need a serial number, that you would already have.

b) When you elect to buy the boxed version, it gets registered at shipment time or before. Given the current bug in the website this may or may not achieve very much but at least you wouldn't have to wait for shipment and the serial number is secured.

Bob.

fwtep wrote on 9/12/2007, 4:54 PM

Why don't you get the download version with the extra few bucks for the box? That's what I'm planning on doing. It comes out to the same price as the boxed version.

CClub wrote on 9/12/2007, 5:10 PM

They DO allow for your option A:
"a) When you elect to buy the boxed version online, the system works exactly the same as if you bought the download except the box and the same goodies gets shipped, doesn't even need a serial number, that you would already have."

I purchased the download (which shortly afterwards sends me a Serial Number), but clicked the box that ships me the boxed version for $15. When I've done this in the past, the boxed version has the same exact Serial Number that I've already registered.

GaryAshorn wrote on 9/12/2007, 5:26 PM

I do it the same way, buy the boxed, download the software and go from there. Then file the boxed version.

Gary

farss wrote on 9/12/2007, 5:28 PM

Thanks guys but I've tried that option in the past and I didn't get the box, just the contents!

I know, I know, you think so what it's only a pretty box.
Thing is having the box(s) sitting around on display serves two purposes:

1) It helps promote the product.
2) Clients know you paid for it. This is an issue I read mentioned many times in the audio world. "No boxes on display, go find another place" etc. Maybe the audio guys are more sensitive about paying money to facilities that haven't paid their dues, still I've taken that reasoning on board and point 1) isn't trivial either. I do a lot of my work with clients in a place with lots of FCP posters and boxes...nice to fly the SCS flag.

Bob.

jrazz wrote on 9/12/2007, 7:17 PM

I have received the box in the mail the past 2 upgrades, but Vegas pro 8 came today shrink wrapped without a box... I was looking foward to adding it to my collection of printed cardboard :(

j razz

TheHappyFriar wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:03 PM

upgrades != a box. Only a new copy. At least that's what they told me with V4 & I didn't get a box with V6.

I honestly do NOT know why they have the "buy packaged" anymore. The package + shipping = download + extras + shipping. They even include a a disc with the download extras which they never used to!

Farrs, if it wasn't for you I would of never noticed that. That's new! They should take the package option down, really. Thanks for saving someone some time! :)

jrazz wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:07 PM

Vegas 5 & 6 were upgrades for me and I got boxes for both of them. Also, there are no software extras unless they are included on the DVD which I have yet to plop in the drive yet.

j razz

jrazz wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:17 PM

Okay, I have checked out the DVD and it has several sample projects on it. The 24p widescreen.veg file has a cool handwriting effect of the word Boston on it. It uses keyframes and a mask to accomplish it via the old titler.

It also has some veg's on P/C with text which might interest Soniclight and others (he was asking about it)

j razz

MSK wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:31 PM

There are three options with most applications available for purchase through the SCS webstore (or through phone service):

a:) buy packaged; b:) buy download; or c:) buy download with optional components shipped

With regards to Vegas upgrade purchase, the download version would be exactly the same contents as packaged upgrade (without hardcopy stuff of course) but priced less expensively due to no manufacturing or shipping cost which is a good option for people who don't care about hard copy and want to save a little on the purchase.

If you choose option c: then you would get the best of both worlds - instant serial number and hardcopy stuff on the way.

Packaged upgrade version does have hardcopy materials and technically is "packaged" but doesn't include the box, although you could probably call and have them send one. And manuals and installer downloads are always available 24-7 around the world.

One option if you buy the packaged (no download) and want to start using it immediately is to download the trial which is a full install and the register with your purchased license once that shows up.

As far as a hi-jacked serial during shipment is concerned, there's not a whole lot of that going on and shippers like UPS and Fedex ship a lot of stuff that could potentially be hi-jacked but I would guess that 99% (if not higher) arrive safely. In the very rare circumstance that this could happen, as long as you have proof of purchase, you can report this problem and have new licenses issued to you. The hi-jacked serials would be deactivated and would no longer be eligible to be registered.

Not sure if that helps at all.

Konrad wrote on 9/13/2007, 6:33 AM

When I got 7 they ran out of the shrink wrapped and sent me the boxed set. Thank You Sony! Lucky me as I ended up with both a serial number in the box and a second serial number they emailed me for the download. If they did what is being asked They would need to keep boxes in stock both with and without serial numbers and that would lead to confusion. Just ask for an empty box I'm sure the nice cheese heads will send you one.

bStro wrote on 9/13/2007, 8:01 AM

Okay, I have checked out the DVD ...

Does Vegas come on a DVD now, instead of a CD? (I haven't gotten a physical copy since V4.) Do the files take up enough space to need a DVD?

Anyhow, back to farss' dilemma: You could put your install disc in a frame and display that. Not only promotes Vegas and shows that you paid for it, this would let them know that you consider the Vegas community to be family. ;-)

Rob

farss wrote on 9/13/2007, 8:16 AM

You could put your install disc in a frame and display that.

I just love that idea!

In all seriousness SCS could do a bit more to help us promote the product. Avid do a very good job in that area with their branded slates and countdowns.
The new sticky up the top is a good sign, wonder how many have noticed it.

Bob.

GaryAshorn wrote on 9/13/2007, 7:12 PM

OK, so on my past upgrades which I have always ordered it shipped in the box, I got them in a box. Not all were pretty boxes. 4 and 7 was the glossy printed box and 5 & 6 were just a plain brown cardboard shipping box. I take a sharpie, mark it with the version it is and set it on the shelf will all the others. I have every past version on the shelf. As long as I get a box, even just the shipping box, I am happy. My two cents.

Gary

jrazz wrote on 9/13/2007, 8:31 PM

Well, mine didn't even come in a box. It came in a bubblewrap package that had a dingy yellow color (dirty due to shipping I guess). That was it. I thought it was something else when UPS delivered it, but I was wrong, it was Sony Vegas Pro 8 in a yellow bubble wrap package... atleast it made it here okay.

j razz

xjerx wrote on 9/13/2007, 9:36 PM

I've been using vegas since version 2...and I order the boxed version everytime...and have only received it in a box twice...what's up with that? oh well...atleast the disks work...

ron23 wrote on 9/14/2007, 2:20 AM

So what else is on the DVD? Previous versions also had Magic Bullet, Boris LTD and CDs of audio FX. Has all that gone?

Ron

farss wrote on 9/14/2007, 3:30 AM

It came in a bubblewrap package that had a dingy yellow color

That must have really lifted your expectations of the contents.

and I order the boxed version everytime...and have only received it in a box twice...what's up with that?

What's up with that is perception!
I'd wager everyone of us here expends considerable time and money trying to make our product looks as appealing and professional as possible. We could just hand the client a DVD with a handwritten label in a paper sleeve, the video on the DVD is the same right?

Bob.

megabit wrote on 9/14/2007, 3:54 AM

Hmm... it doesn't say "boxed" but "packaged" when presenting you with the choice.

TimTyler wrote on 9/14/2007, 6:59 AM

Save a tree and buy the download.

I mean, what's the advatage of having a box or even a CD/DVD? Whenever I've done an O/S reinstall (probably every nine months) for the last five years or so I've installed most apps either from saved installation files or I download the latest version from the vendor. Even the last O/S purchase of Vista I bought was a download.

My 80-CD storage folder thingy used to be full of discs that I kept for reinstalls, but now it's mainly a few old discs that I need to pop in to authenticate an 'upgrade' installation of some kind.

CoolBlue wrote on 9/17/2007, 3:58 PM

The advantage of having a box in a business environment, is to keep it on display to show your clients walking through the door. This shows them you are not a thief and just using stolen copies of the software. Some clients actually do ask and will walk out the door if you have no proof. Why should clients pay you, if you wont pay for the software for your job? Some clients have that mind set, and I have run into a few of them in my area.

Plus, it also is advertisment for Sony. Many people heard of Adobe....Adobe this....Adobe that.... They give boxes with software to keep their name in the public. Sony would be doing a good thing too if they also gave boxes. Maybe Sony thinks people will try and resell these software on Ebay or something, if packaged like Retail boxes. I don't know. They could just make a special box saying Upgrade from previous version on it, or something.