Seize One declares subscription & cost modifications, pisses off customers

If there’s one factor that {many professional} photographers can simply get saturated with, it’s countless subscription funds to totally different software program suites for his or her workflow.

 From storage platforms like Drive or Dropbox to enhancing and proofing packages like Adobe and Shootproof, the potential for month-to-month finances drain is everywhere. Now, Seize One needs a bit extra of your cash too.

In recently-announced modifications to its cost and licensing insurance policies, the platform knowledgeable customers by way of electronic mail of latest software program launch and billing insurance policies that go as follows:

“From 2023 we are going to now not be tied to an annual cycle for main releases. Because of this, there won’t be a Seize One 24. As an alternative, we are going to repeatedly launch new instruments and options on a rolling foundation all year long.

Alongside this, we may even be making modifications to our perpetual licenses from February 1, 2023. Right here’s what’s altering:

• New perpetual licenses will embrace updates with bug fixes till the subsequent model, however new options launched after buy won’t be included.
• Improve pricing will now not be accessible and might be changed with a brand new loyalty scheme. Extra particulars might be introduced on February 1, 2023.”

The brand new scheme primarily replaces annual software program releases and license renewal choices with rolling updates and subscription pricing. This would be the solely path to new options for individuals who’ve purchased a perpetual license for the newest earlier model of C1.

The specifics of the loyalty scheme for current customers are nonetheless nonetheless unknown and apparently received’t be divulged till February.

This final element notably angered quite a lot of C1 customers who argued that withholding it till later retains them from realizing the place the actual worth lies and thus makes them really feel pressured into choosing a subscription plan.

As one person who had already paid for Seize One 23 (its newest launch) said,

“The present 30% low cost to improve ends on the finish of Jan. However they received’t inform us what the brand new ‘Loyalty Program’ is till Feb 1st. So purposely denying prospects the power to know what’s the finest route. For all we all know, the ‘Loyalty’ prize may very well be a field of bananas and a cheesecake. Hardly being clear, is it?”

One other person of Seize One summed up one of many causes for buyer anger by asking:

“So, if I perceive accurately, that signifies that these of us who used to recurrently improve (upgrades that went from $99 to $199 over a number of years already) their perpetual license will now have to purchase a full license every time there’s a partial launch? That could be a intelligent transfer to go to a subscription-only mannequin with out saying it.”

Seize One tried to make clear the scenario by elaborating,

“Seize One gives perpetual and subscription licenses for customers. The distinction between these is the time period of validity. A perpetual license is eternal (for all times, offering that you simply meet the minimal system necessities), whereas with a subscription plan it’s a must to make common funds to maintain the license energetic – however you at all times have entry to the most recent model.”

In response to an inquiry from the web site Fstoppers, C1’s PR and Editorial Supervisor, Marianna Eliassen additional tried to clean ruffled feathers by explaining,

“Simply to be clear, we’re not ending perpetual licenses. We all know that this selection is necessary to a few of our prospects, and we’re dedicated to maintaining this accessible for them. Anybody who has purchased or will purchase Seize One 23 earlier than February 1, 2023, will nonetheless get pleasure from the identical advantages as they might with any earlier model of the software program. After this date, everybody will nonetheless be capable of purchase a perpetual license and totally benefit from the options that include it in perpetuity.”

She nonetheless didn’t immediately reply the images web site’s primary query, which requested about customers feeling misled over having purchased C1’s most up-to-date perpetual license with out realizing what was coming across the nook.

Unsurprisingly, an amazing majority of feedback from Seize One’s current customers have been very sad with these modifications.

The explanation why is pretty apparent: Those that have purchased C1’s newest perpetual license improve, for model 23 of the software program, didn’t know that it might so quickly be primarily made out of date. Additionally they haven’t any approach of but realizing what the loyalty scheme will provide.

What’s extra, these customers should cope with the truth that new options after C1 model 23 will now solely be accessible by way of a brand new system of subscription funds.

Seize One is now principally making use of the identical product launch and cost construction that Adobe already has for its customers.

For a lot of current customers of Seize One, the truth that they may use their bought model of the software program with out having to pay month-to-month was one in all its main advantages. It left them free to improve to a brand new perpetual license for a more moderen model at any time when they selected. Now that is now not the case.