Why transfer fees?

2

Comments

  • Bohuslav Wojnar
    Bohuslav Wojnar Member Posts: 3,477 ✭✭✭

    Bob, before I would say anything else, I want you to know I really appreciate the way you approach the issue and even more, your kind spirit expressed in your post. That is one of the reasons I want to stick with Logos. You explained many new things to me. Thank you. I perfectly understand the breaking collections thing. I know the easiness of transfering of digital goods might be quite challenging to the producers like Logos. That is why I really appreciate your way of explanation, and even more removing of the 10% transfer fee.

    God bless you and keep up producing the best Bible software in the World.

    Bohuslav

  • ZoesProudDaddy
    ZoesProudDaddy Member Posts: 59 ✭✭

    Snip

    Bob,

    Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it greatly as I am confident everyone else here does as well. I believe that you have put my concerns to rest and hopefully you have put others here as well.


    Again, thank you for being a shining example of what a CEO should be for his customers.

     

    Alan

  • Ted Hans
    Ted Hans MVP Posts: 3,174


    Thank you for all your feedback here, and I'm sorry it took me so long to jump into the discussion. It doesn't take any time at all to waive a fee for any individual user -- but when you're demanding a new written policy, <smile>, it takes a little longer to line up the internal conversation and consensus.

    Thanks Bob for including "Long explanation 2" as background info which threw light on the true nature of things. "Long explanation 2" has gone a long way in calming my fears and without it (explanation 2) i still would have been disappointed even with the change in policy, as it is now i am not disappointed anymore. Some of your staff have been exceptionally kind and have gone beyond the call of duty in attending to my request/issues/difficulties. So i was surprise at the existence of such a policy & reading last years blog entry was not helpful but rather confusing. I did not understand the context as you have outlined it in detail. I can now see "There's no secret policy board, there's no diabolical plan to maximize profits at all costs; there's just a group of people who are trying to balance a lot of different goals that are in constant and changing tension". Now that you have cleared up the confusion i must say i am yours truly & i shall try and give you guys the benefit of the doubt next time, that is if there is a next time. We can all agree on this Logos Bible Software is the best in the world!

    Kind Regards

    Ted

    Dell, studio XPS 7100, Ram 8GB, 64 - bit Operating System, AMD Phenom(mt) IIX6 1055T Processor 2.80 GHZ

  • Jack Caviness
    Jack Caviness MVP Posts: 13,603

    Bob

    Thank you for the explanations. I really appreciate the change in policy.

    Jack

  • Kevin A. Purcell
    Kevin A. Purcell Member Posts: 3,421 ✭✭✭

    Wow!  That is a great response.  My earlier post reflected my frustration with how companies who produce digital content treat their customers.  But Logos should never be lumped in with the rest.

    Dr. Kevin Purcell, Director of Missions
    Brushy Mountain Baptist Association

    www.kevinpurcell.org

  • Floyd  Johnson
    Floyd Johnson Member Posts: 4,002 ✭✭✭

    We're removing the 10% fee and setting the fee at a fixed $20.

    Bob:

    I will raise one question not addressed in your note.  You have indicated that there is a flat $20 fee - but have have not indicated what this fee covers.  Is

    1. "Per transfer" - if I give to my son four separate items, all purchased separately, will it be a $20 fee or an $80 fee.
    2. "Per item paid for" - again using the same example as above.

    I expect this becomes a bigger issue if I were to retire and want to transfer my entire collection to my son. 

    Thank you for any additional details you can provide as to how the policy will be implemented. 

    Blessings,

    Floyd

    Blessings,
    Floyd

    Pastor-Patrick.blogspot.com

  • John Fidel
    John Fidel MVP Posts: 3,463

    Bob,

    Thanks for the reply and the change in policy. Will downloads be available for transfer? I just changed my prepub for the NICOT/NICNT to CD because of the prior policy. I don't want to spend a grand and find that I cannot transfer it or give it away later in my life.

     

    John Fidel

  • Lynden O. Williams
    Lynden O. Williams MVP Posts: 9,012

    John I have the same concern. I buy exclusively downloads. The cds take too long to arrive (in the Bahamas) 3 - 4 weeks, plus there is the cost of shipping plus 10% tax. There is no tax for downloads.

    I have at least 5 or more lisences for the KJV. I can only use it once on my computer. What if I could give all except one of them to friends as a means of acquainting them with the software, which may convince them to buy one of yhe packages.

    The more packages sold the more books published in Libronix. The more books published in Libronix, the cheaper the cost. This way everyone wins.

    Mission: To serve God as He desires.

  • Bohuslav Wojnar
    Bohuslav Wojnar Member Posts: 3,477 ✭✭✭

    I have at least 5 or more lisences for the KJV. I can only use it once on my computer.

    If I understood Bob right, you would have to give one of your collections having KJV, not single KJV, if you did not buy it separatelly, what I doubt. There is no way you can give KJV which had been bundled with other resources you want to keep. That is OK.  I understand that. What I would like to be able to give away is, if I bought separatelly some resource, for a full price, and latter I buy a collection with the resource included. It looks to me logical, that I would be able to give away the single resource I bought as a single resource, and give away collection if I bought a collection. Am I wrong in my thinking?

    Bohuslav

  • Don
    Don Member Posts: 281 ✭✭

    I have at least 5 or more lisences for the KJV. I can only use it once on my computer.

    What I would like to be able to give away is, if I bought separatelly some resource, for a full price, and latter I buy a collection with the resource included. It looks to me logical, that I would be able to give away the single resource I bought as a single resource, and give away collection if I bought a collection. Am I wrong in my thinking?

    It would depend if you bought an upgrade package which was discounted because you already owned that specific resource.
  • Bohuslav Wojnar
    Bohuslav Wojnar Member Posts: 3,477 ✭✭✭

    Don said:


    It would depend if you bought an upgrade package which was discounted because you already owned that specific resource.

    As you probably noticed I said: "if I bought separatelly some resource, for a full price, and latter I buy a collection with the resource included..."  It is perfectly understandable that there can't be any re-sale or giving away if you used the resource for getting an upgrade.

    Bohuslav

  • Bob Pritchett
    Bob Pritchett Member, Logos Employee Posts: 2,280

    I expect the fee will be applied "per transaction" -- if you want to transfer four products in one call, then one fee. If you call four times over four weeks, that's probably going to be four  fees.

  • Bob Pritchett
    Bob Pritchett Member, Logos Employee Posts: 2,280

    JohnFidel said:


    Thanks for the reply and the change in policy. Will downloads be available for transfer? 


    Yes. There's no difference to our license system between a download and a disc delivery. The disc may have a serial number, but it's the same license system.

  • Floyd  Johnson
    Floyd Johnson Member Posts: 4,002 ✭✭✭

    I expect the fee will be applied "per transaction"

    Thanks Bob - though it will be awhile (I hope) before it becomes an issue, I appreciate your thoughts.

    Blessings,

    Floyd

    Blessings,
    Floyd

    Pastor-Patrick.blogspot.com

  • Robert
    Robert Member Posts: 196 ✭✭

    Bob,

    Thank you for this reply. I am grateful for the result since the 10% fee seemed a bit much to me, but the policy is not what I am most grateful for or most impressed with. Even though I didn't understand it, I had just sort of assumed Logos was trying to do what was best and had a reason for the fee.

    What I would most like to express my gratitude for is the way Logos (obviously including Bob) has strived to make a profitable business that continues to develop the best tools available, while at the same time desiring to do what is best for the customer. In my view, Logos continues to strive to reflect what it means to be a "Christian Business". Are they perfect, "No", but since Jesus isn't the CEO and only employee perfect isn't going to happen.

    Thank you Logos for your efforts to do what is best (and most honoring to Christ) in your business decisions.  (Again, I can't read hearts, but it seems the decisions over the years have reflected this desire.)

    Rob

    www.3rdcultureliving.com - Simple Abundant Legacy

  • Alain Maashe
    Alain Maashe Member Posts: 390 ✭✭

    Bob,

    Thanks for your gracious input

    you have restored my faith in Logos and satisfied all my concerns

    Alain

  • Brian Whalen
    Brian Whalen Member Posts: 67 ✭✭

    Perhaps this is their way of battling piracy?  I bought mine from a friend who wan't using it, so I had to pay this.

    Brian Whalen

    http://www.mcnazarene.com

  • John Kaess
    John Kaess Member Posts: 763 ✭✭✭

    So now, with a fixed license transfer fee of $20, I hope you'll find us fair. It costs us around $12 to take a customer service call, and there are other costs involved. (We need to redesign some of our systems to make this easier to do in the databases.) We're going to limit license transfers to "things you bought". That means you can transfer anything you purchased as a unit (which better matches what we track in our system), but we're not going to support unbundling a massively discounted collection so someone can make money re-selling a collection one book at a time for a sum more than the cost of the whole bundle.

    Thanks Bob.   I own the Scholar's Gold along with many many other packages and resources. This policy is M0RE than fair.  I would be very comfortable if you only transferred individual personal libraries in toto, not collections or resources purchased in any other form, ESPECIALLY not items bought from community pricing or pre-orders (and I have done a lot of those).

    My single concern as I approach old age was that my large investment in Logos resources would be able to be passed on to my son.  Personally, paying even $50 for being able to do that sounds like a good deal, but paying $1,000 or more for 10% of retail would be not only a hardship, but something that would give me very hard feelings toward Logos.  I've been a Logos user since 2.0 days and have always found your policies and practices to be fair.  Not only that, but you are still in business while other bible software products I've purchased are not.  Keep up what you are doing and may God continue to bless Logos and you personally.

     

  • Mark
    Mark Member Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭

    Yes, John, I am in agreement also with your post.  Thanks Bob for clarifying the case. It would be nice if what you stated could not only be found on the forum, but also made clear in an article on the website.  I say this because a year or two from now, it may be difficutl to find the post where Bob answers the transfer question.

  • J.R. Miller
    J.R. Miller Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭

    Sorry it's taken so long for me to jump in on this. I've been wrestling the policy dragon.

    BOTTOM LINE:

    We're removing the 10% fee and setting the fee at a fixed $20.

    Thanks Bob for taking the time to work this out and doing what is right be all of your customers.  [Y]

     

    My Books in Logos & FREE Training

  • Don
    Don Member Posts: 281 ✭✭
  • Jim
    Jim Member Posts: 731 ✭✭✭

    I too have several thousand
    dollars wrapped up in my Logos library and am getting up in years so this is a concern. I paid for and own these
    resource so I should be able to give them to whomever I wish and my
    family should be able to manage that when the Lord takes me home without being gouged. It
    would certainly be true for my computer and any physical books I own. I
    can understand Logos charging a fixed fee for the work they must do to
    transfer the registration of the resources (even if that's to pay for the programming it
    would take to do it electronically) but frankly a percentage fee sounds
    like a gouge.



    <rant> Logos/Libronix has been a technology innovator in electronic libraries.
    It seems their transfer policy hasn't kept pace. In a retail store, I can understand a restocking fee being a percentage of the price because it affects inventory and in some
    cases more expensive may mean more handling and space (larger box) plus they want to discourage returns. But all the
    resources are simple files and they don't have to be handled by Logos.
    The
    work involved in transferring registration has nothing to do with the price of the
    object. Logos does not have to even handle the item. We are just talking about transferring the right to unlock it. How can that be a function of the value of the object? Perhaps they think that the recipient is getting a great bargain, but that ignores that the product was paid for in the first place.</rant>

    Perhaps Logos could shed some light on this policy that we have overlooked?


    Have a great day,
    jmac

  • J.R. Miller
    J.R. Miller Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭

    Perhaps Logos could shed some light on this policy that we have overlooked?

    Bob P. did this some time ago.  Please read his post since this has already been resolved

     

    http://community.logos.com/forums/p/87/677.aspx#677

    My Books in Logos & FREE Training

  • Friedrich
    Friedrich MVP Posts: 4,772

    Wow, look at a what I missed while slogging it out at a great (and later, very muddy) Cornerstone festival!  Appreciate the vigilance of the customers and the attentiveness (and pointed graciousness) of the company (and Bob, personally). 

    I DO appreciate the constant FREE upgrades in platform (unlike, say, MS) and I realize the value I have received from bundled resources.  Am thankful I can pass on the licenses to my kids (hopefully they will use them), and hopefully there will continue to be software to use it on current systems of that future day.

     

    I like Apples.  Especially Honeycrisp.

  • Jim
    Jim Member Posts: 731 ✭✭✭

    Wow. Now that's a quick solution. How appropriate that I'm studying the beatitudes - a quick lesson on meekness. Thanks Joe for putting and end to this before the thread continued in the wrong direction.

    It was nice of Bob to take the time to develop clear analogies and help us understand his point of view. I know that the rise of digital information creates a number of problems for concepts of private ownership and payment of content creators and distributors that our society hasn't resolved very well. I've respected Logos' license mechanism and am happy to live with it partially because they set a good example of making it so painless and transparent.

    I understand Bob's arguments, but I'm not sure I appreciate the problems of the shop keeper who creates a problem for himself by making assumptions that don't end up being true when he creates bundled deals. I think he should live with the ramifications of whatever he does.If he doesn't, wouldn't that mean that he would destroy a fundamental feature of free markets - the concept
    of wholesalers and retailers and all the markups that happen between
    the factory worker and the final customer?

    On the other hand I understand that part of his  problem is that he has
    to navigate a broken (read evil) world that tries to exploit everyone
    at every turn. Until Jesus comes, you
    really only have two solutions, and we are wrestling with them even now
    in our culture: free market or government controlled market. Well I
    digress.

    Anyway bravo for Logos.

    Have a great day,
    jmac

  • John Hapgood
    John Hapgood Member Posts: 146 ✭✭


    I hate policy, and try to resist it wherever possible. I tell our customer service reps that the only policy I care about is taking care of the customer.

    People like policies, though. It makes the future knowable, provides clarity, absolves one of responsibility, eliminates difficult judgment calls, etc.

     

    You know your a politician when . . .

    The first thing you do when you get up in the morning is - Form a Policy!

  • Dean Chao
    Dean Chao Member Posts: 20 ✭✭

    Hi Bob,

    http://www.logos.com/support/lbs/faq#transferlicenses

    Logos FAQ page still says that downloadable resources are not good for transfer. is the page outdated?

     

    thx

    dean

  • Bob Pritchett
    Bob Pritchett Member, Logos Employee Posts: 2,280

    I spoke ahead of things; I didn't realize we had technical issues that made transfering downloadable resources more difficult, and that we were prohibiting it for that reason.

    Since I went ahead and said it was okay, the team has been trying to clear all the issues and make it work; the transition is still underway.

    Sorry for the confusion!

    -- Bob

  • Calvin Habig
    Calvin Habig Member Posts: 442 ✭✭

    Thank you Bob.  That means a great deal that you are doing that: not only in terms of the value of resources, but also in term so customer care.  Thanks again.

    Cal Habig

  • Brian Whalen
    Brian Whalen Member Posts: 67 ✭✭

    I assumed this was a piracy cost reduction thing.  I guess it also makes sense, that this is a way to offset the inevitable calls to TS that come with a transfer, I acquired my Scholar's Library that way, and made I believe 3 TS contacts.

    Brian Whalen

    http://www.mcnazarene.com

  • Nathan Parker
    Nathan Parker Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭

    [[AUTHOR EDITED REST OF POST IN ORDER TO NOT MAKE TOTAL FOOL OUT OF SELF AGAIN]]

    As far as the whole "employee" thing goes, the entire transfer transaction could be done electronically, costing Logos NOTHING in order to make the license transfer occur. In fact, we were recently discussing how we would implement that ourselves in the event we had to insert license codes in some of our products. We could electronically perform the transfers and never have to worry about a thing. Simple, secure, and it works. 

    Nathan Parker

    Visit my blog at http://focusingonthemarkministries.com

  • Nathan Parker
    Nathan Parker Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭

    Sorry it's taken so long for me to jump in on this. I've been wrestling the policy dragon.

    BOTTOM LINE:

    We're removing the 10% fee and setting the fee at a fixed $20.

    Thanks Bob for taking the time to work this out and doing what is right be all of your customers.  Yes

     

     

    Just read this after submitting my post.

    Thanks Bob! Sounds better, although if you look what I said about automating the process, that might allow you to even drop the $20 fee if you can automate things. We've got a great idea here in place I'd be willing to share more with you if you'd like. This would make the license transfer much easier.

    I'm reading this at 3:00 AM and as always I opened my big mouth before reading everything. 

    Thanks again Bob, and if you'd like me to talk to you more about automating the license transfer (after I get a good night's rest and clear my head) I'd be happy to. It'd probably save you and your customers a lot of time and money in the long run.

    Thanks and goodnight!

    A very sleepy Nathan Parker

    PS. I'm going to have to quit offering 24/7 support. :-)

    Nathan Parker

    Visit my blog at http://focusingonthemarkministries.com

  • J.R. Miller
    J.R. Miller Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭
    Hi Nathan,

    You wrote, "[[AUTHOR EDITED REST OF POST IN ORDER TO NOT MAKE TOTAL FOOL OUT OF SELF AGAIN]]"

    For those of us who subscribe via email, too late. We got your first post.

    Lesson learned buddy.. don't post before you read. :-)

    Joe

    My Books in Logos & FREE Training

  • J.R. Miller
    J.R. Miller Member Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭

    Phil,

    This is the second or third time someone has come to this old thread making brash and angry statements only to find Bob has already resolved the issue.

    Might I suggest you edit the first post and put a link to Bob's answer.... or quite simply delete the thread and post Bob's answer in the FAQ section.  It sure would prevent further miscommunications.

    Joe

    My Books in Logos & FREE Training

  • Bohuslav Wojnar
    Bohuslav Wojnar Member Posts: 3,477 ✭✭✭

    Phil,

    This is the second or third time someone has come to this old thread making brash and angry statements only to find Bob has already resolved the issue.

    Might I suggest you edit the first post and put a link to Bob's answer.... or quite simply delete the thread and post Bob's answer in the FAQ section.  It sure would prevent further miscommunications.

    Joe

    Good suggestion. Thanks.

    Bohuslav

  • Nathan Parker
    Nathan Parker Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭

    Hi Nathan,
    You wrote, "[[AUTHOR EDITED REST OF POST IN ORDER TO NOT MAKE TOTAL FOOL OUT OF SELF AGAIN]]"
    For those of us who subscribe via email, too late. We got your first post.
    Lesson learned buddy.. don't post before you read. :-)
    Joe

    Hee hee! Yeah, I figured that out later when I got the email. I was too tired last night to even figure out that one. Oh well, for those that subscribe via email you got a nice little juicy thing to read that the rest didn't get to. :-)

    Anyway, glad this is resolved. This is definitely better than the previous plan, and I believe down the road Logos can come up with ways to even make license transfers better for users through automation. I'm sure willing to post some suggestions if they need it (I know you're all saying, "I bet.")

    Good idea on the suggestion to Phil. Posting it at the top or creating a new thread or new link or something with the resolved issue saves us from having to wade through the group to find the resolution and post comments that we (as in I) later regret. That would be great to update that.

    Nathan Parker

    Visit my blog at http://focusingonthemarkministries.com

  • Nathan Parker
    Nathan Parker Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭

    Why is it putting me as the author of this thread when I only replied (and I big one at that)? I'm guessing the forum engine like to blame the author on whoever yacks the most? :-)

    Seriously, just wondering why I'm showing up as the author.

    Thanks!

    Nathan Parker

    Visit my blog at http://focusingonthemarkministries.com

  • Jack Caviness
    Jack Caviness MVP Posts: 13,603

    Nathan

    I believe "Author" should probably be labeled "Last Poster". I note that I am now listed as Author.

    Jack

     

    Why is it putting me as the author of this thread when I only replied (and I big one at that)? I'm guessing the forum engine like to blame the author on whoever yacks the most? :-)

    Seriously, just wondering why I'm showing up as the author.

    Thanks!

     

  • Don
    Don Member Posts: 281 ✭✭


    I believe "Author" should probably be labeled "Last Poster". I note that I am now listed as Author.

    Unless of course it is sent by instant messenger, in which case it would be "imposter."
  • John McComb
    John McComb Member Posts: 129 ✭✭

     

    I believe "Author" should probably be labeled "Last Poster". I note that I am now listed as Author.

    No, I think this is correct. You are the author of the last post and those links are supposed to be pointing to the last post (even though they aren't. Leastwise they don't navigate me to the most recent post when I click on them).

    A link to the person who started the thread should be labeled "Originator".

    Yours in Christ

    John

  • davidphillips
    davidphillips Member Posts: 640 ✭✭

    John, you may know this, but you can navigate to the last post by clicking on the time stamp of the post located at the far right side of the screen.

  • Bohuslav Wojnar
    Bohuslav Wojnar Member Posts: 3,477 ✭✭✭

    John, you may know this, but you can navigate to the last post by clicking on the time stamp of the post located at the far right side of the screen.

    Although I am not John [:)], you made my day. I did not know we can do that. I was always angry on the system to click on the forum and than to the last page. Thank you so much for that simple trick information.

    Bohuslav

  • Matthew Owen
    Matthew Owen Member Posts: 18 ✭✭

    Bob, thank you for the gracious and thoughtful response. I'm only a newcomer to this discussion. But having just purchased Logos for Mac a couple of months ago, this gives me great confidence in the company's transparency and integrity.

  • Nathan Parker
    Nathan Parker Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭

    Nathan

    I believe "Author" should probably be labeled "Last Poster". I note that I am now listed as Author.

    Jack

     

    Why is it putting me as the author of this thread when I only replied (and I big one at that)? I'm guessing the forum engine like to blame the author on whoever yacks the most? :-)

    Seriously, just wondering why I'm showing up as the author.

    Thanks!

     

     

    I'm seeing what's up now. Yeah, something needs to be "reworded" for clarity.

    Nathan Parker

    Visit my blog at http://focusingonthemarkministries.com

  • Mike Childs
    Mike Childs Member Posts: 3,135 ✭✭✭

    Bob,

    I certainly appreciate your answer.  It is well reasoned and most fair.  I do trust you to do the right thing.  You have proven trustworthy in the past.  Thanks for caring.

    Sometimes a license exchange results in more sales for Logos.  My case for example:  Another loyal Logos customer asked me to sell him my license to a commentary no longer available through Logos.  I seldom used that particular commentary, but i wanted to upgrade my Logos library.  The result is that by selling him my license on a commentary, I was greatly helped in the purchase of the Scholar's Platinum edition.  That made everyone a winner:  the other user, me, and Logos who got more sells.


    "In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley

  • Dirk Boersma
    Dirk Boersma Member Posts: 20 ✭✭

    Hi Bob, thank you for explaining the policy so extensively and clearly. The explanation why Logos cannot support reselling part of a 'killer deal' is very clear. I can see that you are doing everything to run an honest business, you have earned my respect. I have been a Logos user since 1993 and I am impressed. Keep walking in this direction under God's guidance, and you may enjoy the favor of the Lord! 

  • Dr. Quentin Johnston
    Dr. Quentin Johnston Member Posts: 2 ✭✭

    Bob, thanks for this explanation. I have ben with Logos since the days of floppy discs and have gathered over the years a huge library from many sources. I wanted to give my entire account with all of my books to a younger chap just entering seminary when I retire. As things stand presently, would there be a one-time transfer fee of $20?

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 3,086 ✭✭✭

    As things stand presently, would there be a one-time transfer fee of $20?

    Yes. Just remind your lucky chap, there's a one-time transfer limit (previous students endlessly transferring ... and refunding too, I assume).

  • David Paul
    David Paul Member Posts: 6,073 ✭✭✭

    Nota Bene...readers should alert themselves to the caveat that this thread is over a decade old. The info in it may be current and relevent, but considering that the subject matter concerns the digital realm, where things can change rapidly, I wouldn't assume that to be the case. A more current voice should be consulted to confirm the current status of this issue.

    ASUS  ProArt x570s Creator, AMD R9 5950x, HyperX 64gb 3600 RAM, ASUS Strix RTX 2080 ti

    "The Unbelievable Work...believe it or not."  Little children...Biblical prophecy is not Christianity's friend.

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 3,086 ✭✭✭

    A more current voice should be consulted to confirm the current status of this issue.

    Huh? Libby's wondering about your logic. A modern answer to a modern question, over top an older discussion.