Plugin Alliance new transfer policy caused concerns and is corrected...

[dwozzle]

Meh, seems pretty much in line with policies that most vendors have implemented.

Waves: "Transfer fees are 5% of the full, regular list price of the products being transferred (minimum $10, maximum $150 per transfer request)."

Waves also required the WUP be up to date to do a transfer. That's particularly ironic, because it means WUP-ing something you don't need.

[robotmonkey]

Meh, seems pretty much in line with policies that most vendors have implemented.

Waves: "Transfer fees are 5% of the full, regular list price of the products being transferred (minimum $10, maximum $150 per transfer request)."

Waves also required the WUP be up to date to do a transfer. That's particularly ironic, because it means WUP-ing something you don't need.

Yeah, I think PA is actually doing what Waves did some time ago - limiting the appeal of second hand selling. With their constant sales it makes sense to purchase from themselves than from the second hand market.

[iftango]

Waves also required the WUP be up to date to do a transfer. That's particularly ironic, because it means WUP-ing something you don't need.

It means only up to date versions can be sold. At least they can be sold.

[iftango]

Yeah, I think PA is actually doing what Waves did some time ago - limiting the appeal of second hand selling.

This is how you do it right: u-he
"If you wish to transfer your license in the first nine months of ownership, you must purchase a transfer token for 15€. After nine months of ownership, transferring your license is free. Transfer tokens are not listed in our store, please contact us to purchase the transfer token before starting the license transfer."

[rod_zero]

So glad I sold my stuff a month ago, horrible new policy.

Their constant discounts also devalue their products a lot.

[masterhiggins]

...

[lnikj]

I wish they just did what some other companies do and sell based on the value and quality of the products and services you offer and not on price. Otherwise, you’re just like McDonald’s.

I think it is actually a pretty clever strategy that keeps people coming back and buying what they don't actually need.

[masterhiggins]

I agree. No one needs a shitty cheeseburger, either.

[Tappistry]

So a $20 transfer fee AND the transferee gets an NFR license?

Ok, so I agree this is heavy-handed if this is the case.

I’ll definitely be wary of future purchases from PA. I’m not in the “license selling business,” but I do prefer the option to sell tools I’m no longer using or for which I’ve found superior replacements.

So glad I sold my stuff a month ago, horrible new policy.

Their constant discounts also devalue their products a lot.

Another good point. I’ve had to do some deep discounts to generate interest selling PA licenses in the past. So much so that the small monetary refill between picking things up at deep discounts vs. proper selling prices here don’t really make it worth my time to do it with most of my PA plugs I’ve wanted to sell.

[mutantdog]

So I don't intentionally buy stuff expecting to resell it however one thing I've learnt is that demoing a product is not necessarily a good way of deciding if i want it. Demos can be useful for first impressions, checking compatibility issues etc but as to whether its something I'll find myself using, that's really only something i can find out with time and maybe some informed assumptions.

Buying something on a whim cos its cheap and i can probably get the bulk of my money back if i don't use it is something i do all too often. Combine that with the odd I've-got-too-many-X clearouts and the ability to resell something becomes a lot more valuable. Fortunately the two PA products that i can't resell are both ones i intend to keep but of those i may sell, this NFR thing has devalued them.

[plexuss]

That's my experience too... I take into consideration the resale value of software in my purchase decision. A sellable license is an asset of value. I have a significant investment in audio software. Part of the rationale for a purchase is the net asset value. So for PA to do this when I have 99% of their plugins puts a significant dent in my asset value and completely changes my context of owning these products. For other companies with next-sale-NFR, they always have a negative impact on my purchase decison. Often to the degree that I will not buy them unless they are going to offer unusually high value otherwise. So for me a move like this, or what Waves did, is bait-and-switch bad business practice. Oh well. Those are the risk. I just hope there are more up front companies with good business practices vs shoe with poor practices.

[lajosuti]

Where are the people who buy plugins to create music? Everyone seems to be a businessman today.

The Sell topic is full with plugins which were bought during black friday or similar sale period, or which were given for free. (soundtoys little plate and similar ones). I understand that those people will have an issue with any policy which won't help this business. I can imagine they (PA) have noticed a trend with these 2nd hand sales, and they found it unethical.

[woggle]

I never buy to sell - but I do try and sell plugins that have become redundant for whatever reason. And I know that will happen sometimes so resale policy does affect my purchase decisions. Sometimes I take the chance I will love that software evermore, but increasingly the ability to on-sell software to recoup some money back is a genuine factor in the decisions I make


[Kontakt libraries are the worst - you cant really demo them and some companies have all sorts of dubious policies regarding license transfers]

[OneOfManyPauls]

I can imagine they (PA) have noticed a trend with these 2nd hand sales, and they found it unethical.

"unethical" to sell something paid for but no longer needed? Only in digital-land have buyers been brainwashed into thinking that's not ok - it has been the way of the world forever with physical products.

[iftango]

I understand that those people will have an issue with any policy which won't help this business.

These professional resellers are not complaining: they're f*cked (just as we are).

We're just normal musicians who want to be able to sell plugins we don't need anymore.
And PA just put a stop to that with no warning and with full disrespect.
This will not be forgotten and I, as many others, won't be buying from them again.

PA: welcome to the "Wave reputation". Yes you might make more money but loosing part of your honor doing so ain't worth it.