Sony's "Last Chance to Save 30%" offer: BEWA

TedLeib wrote on 12/28/2012, 10:27 AM
It's disturbing that Sony is offering its customers "deals" on audio software plugins at prices touted at "30% off" when in fact many of the prices are not just a little higher, but FAR higher than the same plugins purchased elsewhere. Examples:

Izotope Ozone 5: Sony "deal": $249.95, Sweetwater / Guitar Center: $199.00

Izotope Nectar: Sony: $299.95, SW/GC: $249.00

Toontrack EZ Drummer: Sony: $178.95, SW/GC: $79.99

Drumkit From Hell / Jazz / Americana EZX expansion packs: Sony: $88.95, SW/GC: $39.99

Bottom line: Check prices before purchasing.

Sony, you should reconsider this marketing strategy. It has undermined this customer's trust in your company.

TL

Comments

TheHappyFriar wrote on 12/28/2012, 1:37 PM
BEWARE the warning of the guy above: he doesn't list one plugin from the e-mail that offers the discount for the plugins listed in the e-mail.

And the prices listed by Sony are the MSRP prices. The others are on sale at those sites.

Twixtor, for example, WHICH IS LISTED IN THE E-MAIL, is $329 on their site, $247 from Sony.

Like said, check prices, AND READ THE E-MAIL BEFORE YOU POST MISINFORMATION.


:)
MUTTLEY wrote on 12/28/2012, 2:04 PM

lmao, pwned =)

- Ray
Underground Planet
Grazie wrote on 12/28/2012, 2:10 PM
Well spotted guys.

Ray? What's "lmao, pwned"?

G
Chienworks wrote on 12/28/2012, 3:57 PM
LMAO = "Laughing My ... Ancillary nether regions ... Off"

pwned = "owned, in such a way as to demonstrate gross incompetence or foolhardiness"
Spectralis wrote on 12/29/2012, 8:38 PM
The OP is correct in some ways. For example Twixter Vegas is cheaper at Sony with the 30% discount but EZDrummer is much more expensive at Sony than at other online shops where it can be had for $79.

It's quite obvious that it pays to shop around regardless of sales and discounts offered at a particular store. I fail to see why that is at all controversial or even a slight on Sony or any other online shop for that matter.

However much we love Vegas we're not chained to Sony's online shop - or did I miss that in the licensing agreement..?
musicvid10 wrote on 12/29/2012, 9:43 PM
Every licensed retailer sets their own prices, discounts and promotional timing, within the terms of their own license with the manufacturer.

One market can have a promotion on ribeye at $5.99, while the market across the street is at $10.99, even though they both bought their meat off the same truck from the same salesman, though not necessarily at the same wholesale price. This is a rather naive topic. caveat emptor



TedLeib wrote on 1/2/2013, 11:28 AM
Respectfully, if you check my post again you'll see that I mention only deals "on AUDIO software plugins." Twixtor is a video effect plugin.

Happy New Year!
Spectralis wrote on 1/4/2013, 6:24 PM
I see what you mean. As an regular audio plugin buyer I agree with you that Sony's store is not the first place I'd look for audio plugin bargains. Better to check out the bargain thread in KVR's marketplace forum before buying audio plugins.
violet wrote on 1/4/2013, 7:17 PM
While we are on the subject of discounts:

What I find annoying is the sudden appearance of a Sony advertising box when you start Vegas. Sony this is not shareware paid for by advertising within the program. No doubt someone will tell me how to stop it; but that is not the point I should not have to stop it. It may be buried in the terms and conditions but I would prefer that the default setting is no "news" an internet euphemism for "advertisement".
musicvid10 wrote on 1/4/2013, 8:03 PM
@violet,
This can be disabled in Preferences. It's called "Net Notify." No special treatment needed.

@TedLeib,
Often, deals advertised on third party reseller sites are stripped down versions. All you have to do is buy one to find out how you've been undermined. The features you bought it for just might not be there.
Chienworks wrote on 1/4/2013, 8:05 PM
It is easy to turn off, of course, (options / preferences / general / use net notify) but i do agree with your sentiment that the default should be off.

That being said, the primary use of that feature is to let you know when there are free updates to the software you've already paid for. In fact, for years, that's all i ever saw. The everything else messages are rather recent. What would be nice is if there was a choice to be notified only of these updates instead of everything else.
Spectralis wrote on 1/6/2013, 5:48 PM
3rd party resellers don't usually sell stripped down versions of software and if they do without advertising the fact then you're entitled to get your money back. In fact, I've often got the best deals from 3rd party resellers because they sometimes bundle two products for the price of one or arrange other special deals in conjunction with the manufacturer/developer of the software. That's not to say that Sony don't offer great deals from time to time themselves or in arrangement with 3rd party resellers. It pays to shop around.

It's even worth checking whether a company is affiliated to one of the cash back schemes like Quidco before buying - it might not be relevant but it's worth a try. For those who buy their software in bulk or who have business accounts then different discounts apply. The same applies if you're a student because many companies offer their software with up to 80-90% discount (Adobe, Autodesk etc.) - the only restriction being that you have to buy a commercial license when you make money out of your work.