As I wrote last week, we’ve been very much surprised at the response that our impromptu promo received. From what it looked like, there was a huge crowd of people standing right outside our doors, waiting for an opportunity to get their hands on a cheap copy.
It really felt like one those shopping mobs you see on youtube, without the nasty pushing around and negative undertones, of course.
And it all made us think about the $44.95 price we fixed for ForkLift.
For we do love money, don’t get me wrong, and we honestly feel that ForkLift is a powerful enough application to place it in the 40-50 dollar range. But this only made sense last summer, when we decided to up our price.
The reaction to an affordable priced copy of ForkLift was so strong that it was difficult not to get the message: the number of people wanting to use ForkLift, and the number of people who can actually afford it is seriously out of balance. It simply made us realize that $44.95 may no longer be an amount that is easily spent.
This assumption was further supported by the comments we received to last week’s post.
So yes, we decided to significantly cut the price of ForkLift.
The obvious solution, as our longtime users have advised, would have been something in the range of 30-35 dollars, which would place ForkLift in the range of competing products, and closer to our original price.
However, we’re never a bunch to go for the obvious, so we opted for curtain number three and was dealt with the surprise number of $19.95 for the single user license!
Preferring a larger crowd of happy users over the prestige of a larger price tag, we hope the new price will enable everyone to see ForkLift for what it can do, not how much it costs.
The lower price does not suggest a lower service – the $19.95 license comes with identical conditions as previously sold licenses, meaning free upgrades except for major version changes (2.0, 3.0, etc) and membership to our excellent customer care program.
What about those who’ve bought ForkLift for $44.95?
Well, first, our thanks to all of you for supporting us during these past months. We know it took real commitment to make room for those 45 bucks on your accounts.
In appreciation of the confidence you have placed in us, and to appease any -otherwise natural- feelings of resentment for having paid more for the same product, we have come up with a solution we hope you will find fair enough for your taste: we are offering you free upgrade to the 2.0 release.
While thinking all this through, we’ve also fixed the price of the 2.0 upgrade at $12.95, which will be made available at the time of the official release.
And of course, we are maintaining our policy to offer Educational Licenses to students and teachers at half price.
Single-User License: $19.95
Educational License: $9.95
I don’t know if this is a commercially sane move, but it does have a positive vibe to it.
Oh, and please this way to the cashier.
Hi guys,
as one of those 44,95 guys, i’m thankful, that you are offering me (and the others) a free upgrade to version 2.0
Overall it’s a good step for us customer to get cheaper software (i think if you take a look at the success of iPhone Software). I like the new model.
I love you guys
Wow…
As bargains go this is pretty amazing! Thanks for this and I hope that you get a good boost to your business from it.
Moving the price to 19,95 USD was probably a very wise move. I hope even more people will be lining up outside your proverbial doors.
BTW What about update to version 2.0 for users like me who bought ForkLift at a 15% discount from MacUpdate back in March 2008? The total price (incl. the discount) was 25,46 USD. Free update or 12,95 $ or something in between? (Say “oh heck, it will be free this time”, please.)
@Tontsa
Well, it may be disappointing to you, but the free update was really meant for those who’ve forked up the $44.95 for their copies. I don’t blame you for trying though
But I can promise the 2.0 will be so amazingly good, you’ll be happy to pay those $12.95. Heck, you may even want to get yourself a second copy, just for the hell of it
I bought it for 29$ at Dec, 2007. I wonder what would be my upgrade price then huh!? Would it be free, or partial or full?
It is great and brave move to drop the price, but please don’t forget about those who bought FL first long time ago too
Are you guys serious, 12.95 USD is plain cheap for the 2.0 update.
It’s fair that only those who paid 49.95 USD in the first place get the free update – others can fork out the 12.95 bucks.
This new pricing model was a wise move I agree and I wish everything well for the future of ForkLift and BinaryNights.
Thanks for making this great software.
Good move – and thanks for the free 2.0 upgrade. This should broaden the user base – and you deserve it.
very generous of you to offer free upgrades, and i hope it doesn’t open up more idiotic demands, complaints and/or pleas from folks who paid different. c’mon — you decide if software (or whatever you’re buying) is worth the price at the time. if the price changes in the future, so be it. the only legitimate issue is when folks buy a version a month or so before an unannounced upgrade is released, either hardware or software. usually you can get a free upgrade or exchange at that point. what you did 2 years ago has no bearing on future product development or price, gimme a break.
$20 is a ridiculously good deal for ForkLift.
Sounds like a great pricing plan for both new and old customers. Now, let’s get back to the 2.0 watch.
The new pricing looks really appealing. I’ve always wanted to buy Forklift, but my wallet was holding me back (although, with all the features it’s packing, I think the old pricing was pretty good for all the features included).
Hi,
I’m a student – but can’t the link to the students-version in your shop. Can you help?
Thanks for the positive feedback people, we much appreciate it. It’s wasn’t all that easy to take these decisions, with uncertainty at every turn, but I can say that a week after the deed, it looks like the right thing to have done.
Again, our thanks for your support everyone.
@Fabian
You’ll need to request the Educational License in an email sent to support at binarynights dot com
Wow. Very apreciated guys. I one of those who payed 49.95 USD.
It’s a fair move.
and with that price there is no excuse now to own ForkLift which has been a surprising app so far.
I’ve been trying to get my customers to use Forklift as their FTP app.
But given that they shell out for software on a lot of occasions, the 45$ price tag caused some grumbling quite often.
With this new price, it’s easy for me to standardise on Forklift. Good move guys !
Hey this is great! I was just looking to get this, but found the price a bit too high for my budget before. I’ll be picking up a copy now!
Very sensible move Bart, you are commended for your work in spreading the word about ForkLift!
You are all encouraged to follow Bart’s example
I’m happy to report that it still looks like the move was a good one to make.
Thanks for your kind support in this everyone!
I’ve been so tempted by Forklift since finding it. Transmit just seems quite outdated and plain clunky in comparison. I’ve often almost bought Forklift, but I’ve just not been able to bring myself to spend $45. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. It was probably worth $45, but I think you’re right in concluding that not enough people can justify that cost.
Here’s $20 bucks from me, when you probably wouldn’t have got $45.
Thanks again!
sounds fairly fair