Dear Bob Pritchett:
I have been a user of logos since the mid-1990s. I think version 2.1 was my first. I very much appreciate you efforts in making software available which helps people delve into God’s word. Like many other long term customers I have given your company considerable money to build a good library of resources to use with the ”free software”. With the amount I have spent I could easily buy the new Logos 5, top of the line portfolio edition. Yet since I already have spent all that money, it seems now I am lucky if I can even get a working version of logos.
I have upgraded my computer t windows 8. I never upgraded to Logos 4, because I was very unhappy with it on several levels, including the same money for nothing problem I have now. If I downgrade from my extensive collection to the minimal crossgrade, I pay $159.95. Wow!?! I have seen you mention business software models of other companies. Really! Here is one. I recently purchased Cyberlinks Media Suite. This is not one application it is several including Power Dvd, Power Director, Media Show, Power Producer, and FIVE other programs. This was not an upgrade mind you, it was a new purchase. The cost of the 11 programs, $105, it is now $99.95. By the way Power Director has been top rated in its category for three years. Eleven programs new for $100 or one program downgraded immensely just to get it to work for $160.
The business comparison doesn’t end there. Microsoft Office is s suite of extensive powerful programs produced by a company with a reputation for ruthless business practices. I have used their software the entire time I have used Logos. Yet I have spent more on Logos’ one software program in that time than I have spent on the software giant’s broad suite of applications.
I understand running a business is difficult. You have people depending upon you to pay them so they can feed their families. From what I can find Logos has grown 134% from 2007 to 2011. Maybe you could do with a little less growth, and software rewriting, and a little more allegiance to your long term customers. Most businesses highly value customer loyalty; especially long term customers that keep forking over money. Logos seems to have embraced a different philosophy. The forum has many comments from disenchanted long term customers. When a new customer can get more than a login term loyal customer, for considerably less, and the long term customer in exchange only gets radically downgrade and has to pay dearly for it, it doesn’t seem like the customer loyalty program one would expect.
What is worse, is that even if I am masochistic, and want to pay to be abused with a downgrade, I can’t tell what I really get. Forum entries repeatedly say I can use every resource I have unlocked. But it seems that is only true, maybe, if I pay that steep $160 minimum crossgrade. Then other info seems to indicate that interlinears are now handled differently. Does that mean my interlinears will not be any good. Looking at the feature/resources chart of the minimum crossgrade, one would think that almost none of my resources will be available.
I formerly recommended Logos software enthusiastically to everyone. Now I am struggling with whether I am even going to ever use it again. I have used genealogy software for years. I gladly pay the $20 upgrade cost. I would gladly pay moderate fees to Logos, if nothing else just to preserve my investment. But it seems futile to throw in more money into the pit of continually devalued or obsoleted resources and relationship.
Please, this is your last chance to keep one of your oldest customers from turning into a vocal opponent of Logos. Why should I give you more money for something I don’t even know what I am getting, when all my previous investment is largely worthless now?
