What's wrong with FileMaker Corp.?

1. Below is a self-explanatory email I sent to FileMaker Corp.'s volume licensing dept and legal dept - no reply to date.

2. If anyone knows the email addresses for FileMaker Corp executive officers, please share so I can forward directly to a particular person.

"Sir/Madam:

Attached please find an invoice showing that my small firm just spent $1,638 for FMPro Server 8 and a 5-user pack of version 8.5 that I received on or about April 20, 2007.

So less than 90 days after spending this amount of money - a lot for a small firm - I have to buy the "all new" vers 9 server and 5 user for another, what, $1,000??!!

Please, Filemaker folks, "say it ain't so." How about a free upgrade path for users that bought within prior 90 days, just so we don't feel we got "burned" for being stupid enough to buy Filemaker at what turns out to be 90 days before the "biggest release in nine years"?

Please reply, and please do something to help those of us poor saps that bought within the last 90 days.

Thanks,

Scott"

3. Why can't FileMaker Corp.'s customer service and pricing live up to its technical excellence?

4. Am I the only one that loves the FileMaker products but is less enthusiastic about the management policies?

5. Wouldn't it make more sense to have a policy that purchasers within last 90 or 120, even, get free or nominal price upgrade path?

So now I'm the idiot that bought an office's worth of the last version for $1,600+ only to have to pay another $1,000 or so just 90 days later to upgrade to the "All New" version. Reminds me of Microsoft's arrogance and greed, frankly.

Just shaking my head in disbelief that such smart technical people can be such heavy-handed businesspeople, seemingly so out-of-touch with real users.

Say it ain't so, Filemaker...

I didn't realize upgrading was mandatory.

Reminds me of Microsoft's arrogance ...

Umm, isn't apple the one who charges for same version OS updates?

Reminds me of Microsoft's arrogance ...

Umm, isn't apple the one who charges for same version OS updates?

Umm, no.

http://www.fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/188539/post/259362/hl//fromsearch/1/#259362

.. Then again I don't use a Mac so I'm just repeating what someone else has said -- but windows being released once every 2-7 years vs. Mac... dunno.

To go from OSX 10.3 to 10.4 costs $129.

Why did you not purchase the Maintenance Program. Then you would have gotten the upgrade to version 9 for free. You might ask them if you can upgrade for the cost of Maintenance.

I believe we purchased the maintenance for our company for 300$. That was for 20 client copies and server.

Michael

Were you offered maintenance when you purchased your original licenses? Was it an option?

Steven

To go from OSX 10.3 to 10.4 costs $129.

That would not be a "same version update". 10.4 to 10.4.10 is free.

This may help you in your battle for the upgrade.

Unfortunately I was not offered maintenance.

And charging to upgrade is not really the issue - the issue is offering at least some "reasonable" window to upgrade at a nominal cost to those that just bought your product a very short while ago.

Charging to upgrade a guy that bought 8.5 the very day before 9 was released is much different than charging someone that used 8.5 for a year or 6 months, even, I think - and that's all I'd like Filemaker to do - acknowledge there is a difference and that their current pricing does not fairly account for it, leaving customers like me feeling betrayed no matter how much I like the product.

Again, it just plain old poor customer service that makes no sense. I expected more, frankly, from the folks that produce this product.

Could have just had a crappy salesman that didn't think to offer it to you, which is why I suggested trying to get upgraded for the cost of Maintenance.

It's worth a try ;)

Filemakers Answer

But reguardless 8.0 or 8.5 are perfectly fine programs and will be able to be used for years to come.

That kinda sucks. But you are right he will be able to use 8.5 for quite a long time. Hell we honestly could run our company just fine if we were still using 5.5.

Maintenance may not have been available as an option on this type 5 pack plus Server license. That's why I asked. I believe that the window is 30 days, although I am not 100% sure about that.

All my clients have maintenance on their licenses, and my own site license has maintenance as well. So I never really pay much attention to the windows.

FMI is closed tomorrow (7/21) I believe. But you could call Customer Support on Monday and discuss this with them.

Steven

From the link that aholtzapfel provided.

For every license (single-user and/or 5 License Pack) of FileMaker Pro 8.5, FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced, FileMaker Server 8 and FileMaker Server 8 Advanced you purchased between June 10, 2007 and July 25, 2007, you will qualify to upgrade the product you purchased at the special price of US $30 plus applicable sales tax. This offer valid in the U.S. and Canada only. Submission must be postmarked by August 8, 2007.

Even if not helpful to me, at least I am pleased to see that FileMaker is helping those that purchased from and after June 10th.

And you are right, of course, that 8.5 is fine. Just makes me crazy to spend a lot only to have the creator come out and say just a bit later how they did a soup-to-nuts overhaul and how much better, yap, yap, yap (or for Seinfeld fans, yadda, yadda, yadda...).

All of you have been very kind to share your time with me on this, and for that I thank you.

Be happy that you don't live in Europe .

We pay 209EUR per license 1EUR=1.36USD

Can you explain that??

We pay 209EUR per license 1EUR=1.36USD

Can you explain that??

This might be a question that would be better asked of Sales at FileMaker Inc.

My guess would be that there is a difference in deliver costs, that they need to include.

Do they need to pay a import tax, currency exchange rates, shipping, etc.?

Lee

So what exactly is the difference b/w 10.0 - 10.1, 10.1-10.2, 10.2-10.3, 10.3-10.4? I'm just curious what gets people to purchase the upgrades.

So what exactly is the difference b/w 10.0 - 10.1, 10.1-10.2, 10.2-10.3, 10.3-10.4? I'm just curious what gets people to purchase the upgrades.

They are totally revised versions - don't let the '10' fool you.

"They are totally revised versions" .. what so they rebuild the OS from scratch at each release? Can't you point me to a resource of something... e.g. http://www.betanews.com/article/1033096124 Mac releases bluetooth in paid release, Windows releases bluetooth in a service pack.

To be honest from what i've read, the Mac updates generally seem to be performance upgrades that deal with flaws (or new ways of optimizing) their own code and may offer tid bits of new code to the equivalent of things like "Windows defender", the pop-up blocker, firewalls, network optimization.

Anyway, I have nothing against Apple for charging for their updates - its support, they have every right to - the only reason i bring any of this is up is because Microsoft was called "arrogant" in direct comparison to Apple and I still don't get where that's coming from.

Steven (OAM) wrote: "FMI is closed tomorrow (7/21) I believe."

So will most of the English-reading world. Except for book shops.

When are non-English language versions of that book being released?

ooooooh, yay, pre-ordered my copy lol.

Can't you point me to a resource of something...

See if this helps:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Mac_OS_X

Basically, each point rev (2., .3, .4, etc.) is a major revision. Like going from Windows 98 to 2000 to XP or whatever.

"Basically, each point rev (2., .3, .4, etc.) is a major revision."

Or from another perspective, each point revision added more "new" features that used to be in MacOS 9.

For instance, Widgets (introduced in 10.4) are really just Desk Accessories (introduced in System 1).

Not that I don't like Mac OS X...

I don't know, I've been happy with each major rev of OS X (10.0 was pretty buggy though). And I don't miss OS9.

I agree that it sucks to buy a version and suddenly see a new version out, with no way of getting discounts. Remmeber this is not specific to FMP. I did the same with Adobe. I bought the CS2 and 2 wks later CS3 was out. Do you think they gave a crap, no they want me to pay another 500 dollars now to upgrade !

We all roughly know when FM comes up with upgrades or potentially a new version, so learn when to buy and when to wait !

We all roughly know when FM comes up with upgrades or potentially a new version, so learn when to buy and when to wait !

Some don't follow enough, but yeah that is a good point. Is why we bought when we did.

Michael

Book?

FMI is more or less closed today for the annual company picnic. It quite an elaborate affair actually.

Steven

Steven wrote: "Book?"

Yes: Defeating He Who Must Not Be Named for Dummies. Or something. ;)

Upgrading is completely optional, and fortunately I got the pay the full upgrade price rather than the 30$ upgrade promotion they are offering. A suggestion in the future would be to join TechNet or FBA, as they advertise they give pre-release information to those members. By the way, while you're purchasing a new copy of FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced, take advantage of another promotion to get a year of TechNet!

Just a few things I had to do and hope it helps you

http://filemaker.com/purchase/store/promos .html

IIRC 10.0 to 10.1 was free for that reason.

From what you've read? Unless you are using something day in and day out and have direct experience with said subject, how can you make such a rash generalization?

Not trying to bash ya, but just pointing out the obvious.

"

To be honest from what i've read, the Mac updates generally seem to be performance upgrades that deal with flaws (or new ways of optimizing) their own code and may offer tid bits of new code to the equivalent of things like "Windows defender", the pop-up blocker, firewalls, network optimization.

Anyway, I have nothing against Apple for charging for their updates - its support, they have every right to - the only reason i bring any of this is up is because Microsoft was called "arrogant" in direct comparison to Apple and I still don't get where that's coming from.

From what i've read of what other people (Mac Users) and the official Mac releases have said. Anyway I got over this a while back - you have read the progression of my post where i gradually run out of energy and care less and less until i concede that Mac as a company have every right to charge support costs for whatever they want - If the user chooses to upgrade, there's obviously something beneficial in it.

I simply sought a way to differentiate windows service packs which release thousands of fixes and optimizations with Mac OS sub versions given that Microsoft was called a greedy arrogant corporation in direct comparison to Apple for no particular reason.

Anywho, I'm pretty satisfied at where I am.

And PS. I said "from what I've read" for a reason - I sought other people to point out the difference, this is not a generalization. A generalization would be - I read one article and am now a Mac expert and have deduced that Apple is a bad bad person!!

I hope you guys understand sarcasm.

I think it's a matter of naming conventions.

Mac OS X 10.3 (Jaguar) was issued with free patch upgrades from 10.3.1 to 10.3.9. It could equally have been called Mac OS X 11.0, with the patch levels being 11.1 to 11.9.

But that would have lost the visual and gramatical pun on "10" and "X" alluding to the uniX roots of the operating system. And let's face it, Apple is all about style.

Lol, Completely changing the subject - I LOVVVEE those Mac / PC ad's - ( "Let me calculate how much time you've just wasted" )

Did anyone watch that interview where jobs and gates had to talk to each other again? - It was like a real version of that Psych Mac/PC ad.

For some light fun:

Edited July 25, 200718 yr by Guest

Apple never charges for updates to its OS other than major updates. All of the 10.x updates (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4) were major updates. Intermediate updates, such as the recent 10.4.10, are free.

The difference between 10.0 and 10.4 is huge, to say the least; each iteration has brought more speed, refinements to the GUI, new features, and much more. Safari was introduced with one of these new versions, and iChat, iTunes, and other Apple apps were introduced in there as well. One of the versions (10.3 I think) introduced Spotlight, for example, which is a global search feature in Mac OS X.

To try to use Microsoft's glacial speed of updating (repairing) their OS as a comparison with Apple's is laughable at best. Apple provides numerous security fixes as they're deemed necessary, as well as interim bug fixes to each version of the OS, but they've been steadily improving the OS at a constant rate. Microsoft apparently hit huge snags in developing Vista, which is why it was so slow in reaching the market. The firm entrenchment of XP users now is going to make the migration from XP to Vista a lot slower than Microsoft had anticipated, as evidenced by companies like Dell, who have gone back to shipping their computers with XP loaded instead of Vista.

As someone who's used OS X since its release, I can tell you that the difference between OS X 10.0 and OS X 10.4 is enormous.

IE 7, Windows Media Player 10, 11, Windows Defender, Windows Desktop Search, Windows Firewall, Photo Story 3, CD Slide Show Generator (wow lol), Movie Maker 2, Direct X 8, 9, Virtual Desktop Manager, App Switch Preview, Blue tooth integration, constantly updated hardware drivers and so on... All free

Yes its true that the "Hot Fixes" are primarily security issues / bugs that are being fixed, optimizations to current code - You'll likely see the same sort of "new features" being released with windows as with Mac (Microsoft will release theirs a couple of months later mind you ).

Yeh, as to Vista, I don't plan to switching to it for a few months yet - But then recall if you will Mac OS X 10.0.

And still, no one's explained to me why Microsoft is an arrogant greedy corporation when compared to apple - this is the only question i've really asked and I really don't even want to bother with the Mac vs Windows debate (note at no point have I said that Windows was any better than Mac) because I'm smart enough to realize that this is a FileMaker forum.

And as someone who's used Windows XP since Hot Fix 1356 (around 2 months after it was released LOL!!!) I can tell you that the difference between then and today is Enormous.

Edited July 25, 200718 yr by Guest

I am not going to go into the whole Mac verses PC junk. Its about as pointless as like arguing CDMA vs GSM networks, Yankees vs Redsox, Liverpool vs Manchester United, which Star Wars was best, religion vs religion, BluRay vs. HD-DVD, Starcraft vs. Warcraft, XBox360 vs PS3, or SPAM vs ham. Its all pointless and its all about personal preference as everyone has an opinion.

However, I will add one thing though... MicroShaft may not be as greedy as CrApple (not arguing this either), but they are still greedy none the less; otherwise how can we jusify MS Works still being around? lol. Why do they even bother giving this to people or still offering it? :P

Edited July 25, 200718 yr by Guest

Hey, I didn't say they weren't greedy, the OP just said the Microsoft was greedy compared to apple.

Apple is a designer brand (like Chanelle?), and Microsoft.. well Microsoft is like target lol!! But then again, I guess the majority user base of Microsoft recognises that, and while i like it when the icons go bounce bounce on a mac screen, or it makes a little woosh sound, doesn't add much for me personally. I'm just as happy wearing a black no name tshirt as I am Nike, Stray, and I think that's reflected in my OS choice.

Mind you, I do own two iPod's (Microsoft's zune thing sucks butt) and will get an iPhone when it comes out because in something that small convenience and simplicity is important - but on a computer? I'm co-ordinated and can see well enough to click start -> all programs -> FileMaker (or just click the icon in quicklaunch) rather than clicking a little bouncy thing that goes bounce bounce.

Anywho, Mac is great, I prefer windows. Lets just leave it there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G3Vcy7u8Gs

You need to add Collingwood vs Essendon to that list of yours and don't mind the fact that you have no clue what it has to do with anything :)

Bah. Australian football.

BTW the first youtube link I was like ehhh... but the second one with the interview is pretty cool. Thanks. Sometimes I wonder if those two just sit back and play with their money while laughing at the generated rivalry in the industry. Perhaps some of the public smack talking between them is artifically generated. Its like the old gangster rap that was in the US... Much of that whole East Coast vs West Coast was artificially generated to sell records for both sides.

:backtotopic:

this thread i think has ran its course...