Tweaking a Base Package

Hey everyone,

I'm a new user to Logos so I'm still trying to get a grasp on the software & the packages. I was looking at purchasing the Standard Bronze package. However as I started going through the package, I noticed there are many resources I would never use. I sat down and totaled them up & found around $1,200 of resources I would never use. I have a few other commentaries I would much rather have than around $900 of lexicons that I know I will never use lol.

That leads me to my question: Is it possible to tweak a base package? I am very interested in the software however it is very hard for me to justify spending the money on resources I will never use. Plus it would make me cringe to have to spend another 400 to 500 dollars to fill my library with the resources that would fit my needs.

Thanks for the help in advance!

Lance

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Comments

MJ. Smith

No, the packages are precisely that - a set group of resources sold at a significant discount because of the "bulk" nature of the package. The way to evaluate a package is to look at the resources you do want, sum their price and see if you are getting a useful discount on what you do want. There is often a considerable advantage in the purchase of packages and bundles vs. individual items.

John Fidel

Hi Lance,

Welcome to the forums. This is how I have evaluated purchasing a base package: I add up the retail cost of the resources I really want to add to my library. I then compare that to the price of the package. If the retail price of those resources is significantly higher than the base price, then I consider buying the package. Otherwise to get those same resources I will spend more.

I have found some really useful resources from base packages in my library that I thought I would never use as well. Most of the standard packages also include resources that make many of the logos features more useful.

I have been slowly building my library with Logos since the 90's so, take your time, respect your budget and what you can afford and take advantage of sales that occur during the year. One such sale is coming up in March... March Madness. Patience will definitely pay off.

Hope this helps.

Wild Eagle

Hi Lance,

this is my approach to base packages. First, if total books price is equal or outweighs than separates, I buy base package. Secondly, the books you think you will never use, still have a big purpose in library that should be considered, they help to bring down the price of another level, or different package. Thanks to those never used books, I was able to climb to higher level packages, and purchase books that stand alone would cost me twice or three times more than in base package and along with that I get more books that I will never use and with them will bring down another mountain.

PetahChristian

Welcome, Lance!

Some general information about base packages:

They go on sale a few times a year, usually at 20% off
Occasionally sales will send out an email for a 25% off discount off a specific base package
Base packages get their contents rearranged when a new version of Logos (e.g. 9.0) is released (generally every two years). Some items are removed, to make room for added items.
The best discount tends to be when a new version of Logos is released (due to introductory pricing)

A base package is made up of a library (its books, known as resources), and a feature set (features and tools that unlock the functionality of Logos).

You can buy or rent (subscribe to) resources. You can also buy or rent (subscribe to) features. Some customers buy books, but rent features, as it tends to be less expensive that way (although you lose access to those features if you don't renew your subscription).

Check out Faithlife Connect if you want to see the various benefits of subscribing.

If you haven't made any purchases yet, there are new customer discounts from time to time, often 50% off of Essentials Fundamentals. This may be a great way to save a lot on your initial purchase. Also, many of those same books will be in higher base packages, so dynamic pricing (not paying twice for the same book) will lower the price of Standard Bronze, etc.

Another available discount is academic pricing. If you're eligible, you'll be able to save even more on your purchases.

Hopefully that gives you some idea of how to work out your purchase.

Calling or chatting with sales might be worthwhile, as they would be knowledgeable about all the different options and savings that are available.

resources I will never use

You might be surprised by what might turn out to be useful!

Once you get set up, there are many training options -- some are free -- to help you learn about the software's tools and features. Learn to Study the Bible with Logos is one of the free options.

There are also free books -- sometimes commentary volumes -- offered each month, which may help you save down the road on a set that you'd own a volume or two of.

Just be patient with purchases, as great publisher discounts will come around throughout the year, letting you save even more on many commentary sets. (Check out March Madness, too, as it may be a way to save up to 60% this month on some commentary sets which you might be interested in.)

Tony Walker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089275#Comment_1089275

Ill add to the "you'll never use" comment...

I first started using Logos in 2014 when I became the youth pastor at our independent fundamental kjvo baptist church. As time passed I upgraded and added items. Once I came very close to getting rid of nearly everything and just using basic tools (money reaons). I'm glad I didnt.

Now it is 2020, I am about 1/5 of the way to an MDiv after starting a program last March. I'm using Logos items I never could have imagined in 2014. A few times in my previous class, I shooked my head with my mouth open when I figured out how to use Logos tools to accomplish a search task and word study task.

I've spent money in dumb ways and put a lot of stuff on credit cards that I regret. Logos isnt one of them. You may find yourself using things years down the road that you didnt plan on.

Richard Villanueva

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089275#Comment_1089275

You might be surprised by what might turn out to be useful!

This is a true statement. Logos gave me access to resources I had never known existed and, fueled by a curious mind, allowed me to grow into my library. Resources that were at first over my head became some of my favorites. Keep an open mind and ask lots of questions!

Although, I will say some libraries have their fair share of bloat.

If you have some resources or commentaries you are interested in, go to the product page and look at the portion that says "This title is included in the following collections..." You may find a set for much less in another library or collection aside from just a Standard Bronze. I've found some of the denominational packages helpful in getting what I want at a discount (who'd have thought... Anglican! or Othodox!).

Lance McKenzie

PetahChristian">
If you haven't made any purchases yet, there are new customer discounts from time to time, often 50% off of Essentials. This may be a great way to save a lot on your initial purchase. Also, many of those same books will be in higher base packages, so dynamic pricing (not paying twice for the same book) will lower the price of Standard Bronze, etc.

Thanks for the reply! I just want to be sure I understand your quote. If I buy a book that is already included in the bronze package using the 50% off of Essentials, then turn around and buy the bronze base package it will lower the cost of the bronze base package? I hope you are able to follow my convoluted reasoning.

David J. Wilson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089342#Comment_1089342

Yes, it will lower the cost of any package in which it is included BUT not by what you paid for it as it is discounted by a lot more than 50% as part of the base package. Are there any denominational base packages, as opposed to the standard bronze, that would be better entry points for you (contain a greater value of books that would be useful to you in the short term )?

PetahChristian

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089342#Comment_1089342

If I buy a book that is already included in the bronze package using the 50% off of Essentials, then turn around and buy the bronze base package it will lower the cost of the bronze base package?

Yes, that is exactly right.

Here is what it looks like on the store, when you hover over the package's DYNAMIC PRICE tooltip in the order box.

The "discount for products you own" is your savings based on resources (or features) that you already own.

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089342#Comment_1089342

If I buy a book that is already included in the bronze package using the 50% off of Essentials, then turn around and buy the bronze base package it will lower the cost of the bronze base package?

Yes it will. But: keep in mind the deep discounts FL applies to base packages. Resources in base packages are typically discounted by over 80%, so the effect of one book would be very small. Essentials (we're talking about Academic Essentials, right?) may be to a large extent or even fully included in Bronze, though - but since Bronze is so much bigger (550 vs 80 resources), the effect of dynamic pricing would possibly still be less than 20% You might be able to talk a sales rep into giving you a substantial discount on Bronze and then if Esssentials is not fully covered, you may get the remainder of that for small change.

My experience with dynamic pricing is that larger base packages than the highest one I own still look pretty expensive, despite not having to pay for all the books I already own. For me it works to look at lower-lever packages from other streams (e.g. buying classic Bronze may make Lutheran Starter look cheap at dynamic pricing: you'll own all the features and much of bibles and other basic texts, just paying for "the rest" which may be very relevant works)

PetahChristian

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089353#Comment_1089353

Essentials (we're talking about Academic Essentials, right?)

Oh, I botched that name, didn't I.

I was referring to Fundamentals, the package between Basic and Starter.

Sorry for the mix-up!

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089354#Comment_1089354

Essentials (we're talking about Academic Essentials, right?)

Oh, I botched that name, didn't I.

I was referring to Fundamentals, the package between Basic and Starter.

Sorry for the mix-up!

Fundamentals is special in that AFAIK it neither gives nor invokes dynamic pricing. If I remember correct, one gets only a temporary license for the books contained. This "temporary" is not meant to run out at a specific date in the future, thus may be a lifetime (unless FL and their publishing partners change something), but dynamic pricing works only on permanent licenses.

EDIT: Sorry, it seems I remembered wrong and the above is correct for Basic, which gives temporary licences only. Fundamentals will give permanent licenses to the products included, which may subsequently give a 15-20% dynamic price reduction on a Bronze package. On the other hand, the product site states that Fundamentals itself will not give dynamic pricing.

PetahChristian

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089359#Comment_1089359

Fundamentals is special in that AFAIK it neither gives nor invokes dynamic pricing. If I remember correct, one gets only a temporary license for the books contained. This "temporary" is not meant to run out at a specific date in the future, thus may be a lifetime (unless FL and their publishing partners change something), but dynamic pricing works only on permanent licenses.

Hmm? I know that applies to Basic -- its resources are temporary access -- but I hadn't heard that Fundamentals also uses temporary licenses. I think you own what you buy in Fundamentals, don't you?

Perhaps KS4J or anyone that has an account that only owns Fundamentals can confirm whether dynamic pricing kicks in for higher base packages.

NB.Mick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089361#Comment_1089361

I hadn't heard that Fundamentals also uses temporary licenses. I think you own what you buy in Fundamentals, don't you?

Sorry, you're right. I edited my post above.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089342#Comment_1089342

If I buy a book that is already included in the bronze package using the 50% off of Essentials, then turn around and buy the bronze base package it will lower the cost of the bronze base package?

Yes, personally have a demonstration Faithlife account with order total of $ 0.00 that includes Logos 8 Fundamentals ($ 20 coupon paid for upgrade from Logos 7 Fundamentals, which was free from my purchase of Logos 8 Collector's Edition). Another $ 20 coupon "paid" for purchase of two Bibles included in many English Base Packages.

Current promotion of $ 49.99 for Logos 8 Fundamentals is an awesome deal for upgrading free Logos 8 Basic & Verbum 8 Basic that enables <Person ###> search along with adding Library resources. Thankful for many free Books; Logos Wiki has => Free Logos Books !!

Another current promotion is Bibles for $ 5.00 that also reduces dynamic price upgrade of Base Packages a bit.

since Bronze is so much bigger (550 vs 80 resources), the effect of dynamic pricing would possibly still be less than 20%

Dynamic price reduction for various English Bronze Base Packages ranges from 16% to 19% for my demonstration account.

Verbum 8 Eastern Rite Bronze has 16 % dynamic price discount (186 new resources)

Logos 8 Messianic Jewish Bronze has 19 % dynamic price discount (Fundamentals plus two English Bibles owned for 180 new resources)

Dynamic price reduction for various English Starter Base Packages ranges from 25 % to 30 %

Verbum 8 Starter and Verbum 8 Eastern Rite Starter have 25 % dynamic price discount

Logos 8 Messianic Jewish Starter has 30 % dynamic price discount (Fundamentals plus two English Bibles owned for 87 new resources)

Can search Logos.com for unowned Base Packages sorted by ascending Price

https://www.logos.com/search?Status=Live&sortBy=PriceLow&limit=60&page=1&filters=producttype-basepackages_Product%20Type&ownership=unowned

Keep Smiling [:)]

PetahChristian

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1089475#Comment_1089475

Logos 8 Fundamentals ($ 20 coupon paid for upgrade from Logos 7 Fundamentals

I didn't know there was upgrade pricing for Fundamentals. Thanks, I'm always learning from what you share!

Dynamic price reduction for various English Bronze Base Packages ranges from 16% to 19% for my demonstration account.

Thanks, I thought there might be a savings, but had no idea how much someone could actually save!