Announcing Evangelical Exegetical Commentary Payment Plans
Let us know what you think of our special EEC payment plans.
Is WHOO HOO considered one word or two?
I've been in since the beginning at $699.95.
I see that if I opt out before March 31, and then back in again after March 31, the price goes up $50 to $749.95.
How long will that $749.95 price be good for? E.g., what if I opt out and decide in 3 years after some volumes have been released and commented on by users re: value/usefulness, etc., to buy the set? E.g., can I get it in 2015 for $749.95? I might be willing to pay an extra $50 just to be able see if it's something I'll want, rather than have to pay $700 or $750 now sight-unseen.
Also: If we see a preview volume before June 1, and decide - Nope, I don't need/want this - when is the last date to cancel one's purchase? IIRC, we were told we'd see a preview or preview volume before being charged for the set so we could better make up our minds.
Now this is getting scary....How long is "several years"....I am 66 years old, my wife does not know even how to turn on a computer....If I can't get all of it sooner than "several years" I think it would be better to cancel my order....
Here's the currently published release dates
http://www.evangelicalexegeticalcommentary.com/volumes/
Thanks Kevin, I believe for me I will cancel my order and purchase individual volumes as they are released if they are not over priced too much.....
I don't think they can be purchased as individual volumes, only as the complete set:
"The EEC is only available as a set. The commentaries are not available for individual purchase."
http://www.evangelicalexegeticalcommentary.com/preorder/
"I don't think they can be purchased as individual volumes, only as the complete set. At least I thought that's what I read."
What that makes no sense to me....guess I am out if that's the case....
Overall, I'm excited about the series and will buy it sometime...but here are some of my humble thoughts that come to mind....
1. It would be nice to be able to see the first volume in June in it's completed form first and still be able to opt-in to a plan after it is released.
2. Since the entire set won't be done until 2019, if I read things correctly, I think that we should have an option for an annual payment plan over 3 or 5 or whatever years without the $5 administrative fees. ie. 3 annual payments of $233.33 or 5 annual payments of $140 / year with no service charge. There are only two volumes that will be released in 2011 and three in 2012, so in 2 years, we'll only have 5 of the 44 volumes.
4. Cancellation / refund? What's that policy going to be? With the last release date of Oct 2017 (6.5 years from now) a lot can happen.
Dollar-wise, it seems that I have a choice: for a $50 savings ($750 over $700) invest now or wait and invest my dollars elsewhere until more than a few volumes are released. Maybe if it were even cheaper (i.e. $499) and the difference were greater then I'd be more apt to put my dollars down early.
Again, I'm probably going to get the series sometime. I like the commentators and know some of them, so it's definitely a recommendation and good investment. Just my two cents on the payment plan details....hope this helps!
[*-)]
I might like to try to purchase this set but the $5 fee per payment is to excessive if one wants to opt for a lot of payments (like the 5 year monthly plan for example). One ends up paying 30% above offering price of the set -- that is EXCESSIVE. This is all computerized and automated, there shouldn't be such a steep processing fee. If the fee for opting for the long-term payment plan can be "significantly" reduced I think a lot more people might opt in, myself included.
It's difficult to consider purchasing blind when we've not seen any indication of what the volumes will be like. I agree that the first volume should be made available and after we have a chance to review that one then we can decide if it would be good to pay for the whole series.
Agreed. Pulling the trigger on an untested commentary series, paying years in advance... I'll vote with my wallet and buy things I know are excellent resources (there are plenty of existing commentaries I'd love to have, and I can buy them piecemeal). Kind of like cell phone and cable packages: it gives the power to the provider, not the consumer: you're locked in. I love Logos, just not this marketing/sales strategy.
Well, I went with the best deal longest payment plan - i.e., 1 year of 12 pmnts @$58.33/ea. with no servicing fee. Smallest ding to my budget.
I figure I can still opt out before the first volume ships if the preview we were promised looks mediocre.
So... where is the preview? [8-|]
Buy now, have it all in 6 years, maybe?
"As for me and my house...", no thanks.
I for one am quite surprised although I should not be with the cost of Logos itself yet this is reaching a new low for me as it is the classical "buying a pig in the poke". There is ZERO chance that I will pay for a product like that and then expect it to be fully delivered in 6 years, sight unseen. Only God knows how long we have left, but even going past 2012 is quite a stretch for me seeing the conditions in the world so rapidly changing.
Dollar-wise, it seems that I have a choice: for a $50 savings ($750 over $700) invest now or wait and invest my dollars elsewhere until more than a few volumes are released.
The way I understand it, both the $700 and $750 are pre-pub prices. Once the first volume is released, it's no longer in pre-pub status, and the price will go up substantially. Can a Logos employee confirm this?
That's a lot of money to commit to something that does not yet exist; hence, the quality is unknown. Sorry, I cannot in good conscience sign up for this.
So... where is the preview?
I would not consider this to be a wise purchase--some of the titles are six to eight years out. But, I'm not adverse to Logos coming up with a creative marketing idea (You'll never know unless you try), It just isn't for me.
If I'm not mistaken date slippage is already occurring. Now 2 are scheduled for 2011 (one in December). Weren't four initially to be released this year, the first in April?? Anyway it isn't for me. If it turns out to be a great series, ten years from now lots of folks are going to envy those who got the pre-pub price. Again, not me.
I'm with David and the others. I've subscribed, but I'm very wary about a series that I basically know nothing about.
I'm a strong supporter of Logos, but not being an evangelical - at least in the usual definition in these forums - I'm leaning towards canceling, even with the attractive offer of the payment plans,.
Announcing Evangelical Exegetical Commentary Payment Plans Let us know what you think of our special EEC payment plans.
The plans are fine, but I have no idea what kind of commentary this is to be. Some indication of its layout, etc would be helpful. E.g., does it intend to deal with the original language? For what audience is it intended? Without some idea of its nature other than that stated on the product page (hype), I wouldn't be interested. It's buying a pig in a poke.
Dan -
THANK YOU!!! (...for being responsive to some of the concerns and requests that were made in other previous posts regarding the cost of the EEC.)
While it makes the decision a little more difficult for me now that there are more affordable payment plan options, between this action and the opportunity to change my mind after seeing samples of the work before it's published and my credit card is charged, I don't know more what I could (or would) ask on a project like this.
Thanks, again and enjoy the day!
Very sincerely,
Steve R.
Any chance we can have a sample chapter or section before the prepub price goes up?
I know a large number of the contributors. I have been excited about this commentary series since the beginning. Barrick's Genesis commentary is incentive enough for me to jump in. I've been in since the very beginning and am cancelling my original order and replacing it with the 12 month financing. Thanks, Logos, for being willing to spread that out.
I'm grateful that such a series is being made
I am going for it. I am not worried as Logos has great customer service. If after seeing the first volume it is clearly not for me I think there is likely not going to be any issue getting a refund. I would like to see 2 volumes before making that decision but I am happy to judge basing on the one volume if that is all I can do.
-Dan
I am going for it. I am not worried as Logos has great customer service. If after seeing the first volume it is clearly not for me I think there is likely not going to be any issue getting a refund. I would like to see 2 volumes before making that decision but I am happy to judge basing on the one volume if that is all I can do. -Dan
I was going to say this - but you beat me to it. This way I have locked in the price but can return within 30 days.
A couple of previous posts express some of my concerns (which have been posted several times on the forum after the initial announcement of the series).
Overall, I'm excited about the series and will buy it sometime...but here are some of my humble thoughts that come to mind.... 1. It would be nice to be able to see the first volume in June in it's completed form first and still be able to opt-in to a plan after it is released. 2. Since the entire set won't be done until 2019.... There are only two volumes that will be released in 2011 and three in 2012, so in 2 years, we'll only have 5 of the 44 volumes. 4. Cancellation / refund? What's that policy going to be? With the last release date of Oct 2017 (6.5 years from now) a lot can happen. Dollar-wise, it seems that I have a choice: for a $50 savings ($750 over $700) invest now or wait and invest my dollars elsewhere until more than a few volumes are released. Maybe if it were even cheaper (i.e. $499) and the difference were greater then I'd be more apt to put my dollars down early.
2. Since the entire set won't be done until 2019.... There are only two volumes that will be released in 2011 and three in 2012, so in 2 years, we'll only have 5 of the 44 volumes.
Another post:
I was in Christian publishing for over 20 years. I know that a lot can (and does) go wrong on a project of this magnitude. I noticed that 10 volumes (almost one-fourth of the set) don't even have estimated publication dates.
Many requests have been made for more info about the style, content, approach, target audience, etc. Logos has not responded.
If the first volume is going to be ready in June, there should be sufficient material available now to give us a preview.
It seems like Logos is trying to get customers to buy in hopes of saving about $1 per volume by commiting to the set completely sight unseen. I will be well into my seventies by the time the series is finished (if I'm lucky), but Logos will have my money well before then.
I would have never been able to sell this kind of deal to any book buyer--whether a store buyer or a retail customer.
I have confidence in the intentions of Logos. I don't have a lot of confidence that they understand what they're getting into. From the press release, the reason that it is now a Logos project is because an experienced publisher bailed out on the project.
Logos doesn't have any experience with this kind of project. No one has ever done anything like this before.
I just went back and reread the forum posts from 7 months ago about the EEC.
The only question that has been answered by Logos since then is providing a payment plan. We still don't have any more info about the actual material than we did then.
The new question since then: How many other publication dates on this series are going to slide?
Until more questions are answered, I'm going to be on the sidelines.
I don't really understand the benefit for Logos to sell these 44 volumes for $16/volume when the "retail" value is $50/volume. Maybe Logos should break up the set and make a bigger profit. Just a thought.
From what I've read, I really do like what I see. It's just a shame that they're asking for so much up front. From the perspective of a student and techno-lover like me who appreciates what Logos are trying to do, I just have a few qualms.
1)I wish there was the option to get the $699 price, volume by volume as each are released. I would have no problems setting up a direct debit or something to avoid credit card fees on their end.
2)If I did pay $700 for this, only for it to become part of a base package and upgrade costing half the price with two hundred other books... well, I'd be furious!
3)As others have said, preview material would be great. While we're not charged at the minute, we are still being given a discount for a bit of a leap of faith.
I may still preorder it, even though I don't really have the intention of actually keeping my preorder at the minute. I would still like the option, though. Would there be a student discount on this?
Edit: Preordered it, but there's no option of a payment plan. Will delete and re-preorder when I can get the 12-month plan.
CAUTION:
SCAM would be an interesting word if another business asked for me to send them $700 for a product that 1) does not exist, 2) will not exist for possibly the next 10 years, 3) and they will only charge me $300 if I wish to finance it over 3 years.
While I realize we are Christians, there are some basic "check's and balances" that need to be in place. Therefore, Please USE EXTREME CAUTION.
(If Logos is reading this, I realize you need the money to fund this project, but to ask ministers/Christian leaders to "invest" in a program in advance is financially wreckless!! I question the legality/ethics of a program where you such a financial scheme is made. I would not put up with this type scheme in the "world", and I highly object to this in the Christian world. I feel that Logos is greatly taking advantage of Chrisian's trust. Do you honestly think that Thomas Nelson/Word/any other print publisher would even think of such a scheme? NO!!
Please rethink this type of offer!)
I realize this is harsh, but I have been around several times where large projects are started and require upfront promises/trust. This is close to a 10 year project.
I could add much more, but I'll end with three words: USE EXTREME CAUTION!
While visually loud, your criticism is appreciated.
I was looking at the page again - how can they have a "savings off the retail price" if it's never going to hit retail in its present form, only in a cheaper abridged form? Also, I honestly believe that the pre-pub price should be far more aggressive; especially considering the high likelyhood of this set being included in a future base package.
Welcome to the forums Sir Rick.
This is a case where I would consider my investment to be more like venture capital than like a scam. The terms are laid out without deception - it remains the responsibility of the investor to determine if the deal works for them.
This is a very BOLD post, but I do believe you have some merit in your post. However, the word scam is a bit harsh... but I can understand your perspective.
Mike
CAUTION: SCAM would be an interesting word if another business asked for me to send them $700 for a product that 1) does not exist, 2) will not exist for possibly the next 10 years, 3) and they will only charge me $300 if I wish to finance it over 3 years. While I realize we are Christians, there are some basic "check's and balances" that need to be in place. Therefore, Please USE EXTREME CAUTION. (If Logos is reading this, I realize you need the money to fund this project, but to ask ministers/Christian leaders to "invest" in a program in advance is financially wreckless!! I question the legality/ethics of a program where you such a financial scheme is made. I would not put up with this type scheme in the "world", and I highly object to this in the Christian world. I feel that Logos is greatly taking advantage of Chrisian's trust. Do you honestly think that Thomas Nelson/Word/any other print publisher would even think of such a scheme? NO!! Please rethink this type of offer!) I realize this is harsh, but I have been around several times where large projects are started and require upfront promises/trust. This is close to a 10 year project. I could add much more, but I'll end with three words: USE EXTREME CAUTION!
I'm with MJ - this is more a "venture capital" thing... Having said that, a preview would have been nice... (But, then again it hasn't stopped me putting in a pre-order!)
Brilliant!
Just a question - will it be available on biblia? (I use Linux, and prefer not to boot up a Windows machine to see my resources).
I'm a bit confused, because the EEC page at logos doesn't bear the usual iOS icon, but the press release says it *will* be available on biblia....
I would likewise view it as venture capital if I decided to get it. The problem is that there are all sorts of commentaries. I wouldn't care to buy a commentary set and find out that it's something like Harry Ironside. If it doesn't deal with the original languages and isn't more academic, I'm not interested. I'm still thinking about that one.
especially considering the high likelyhood of this set being included in a future base package.
That is extremely doubtful. Hermenia, WBC, NICOT/NT have never be part of any base package. Why would you think this one would be?
I'm still thinking about that one.
Since I already know how you feel about Dispensationalism, you might want to consider this thread http://community.logos.com/forums/t/31098.aspx
Because Logos own it, they would only be negotiating a deal with themselves, and that if it turns out as good as it looks like it's going to be, it would be a great incentive if it was added to a higher base package?
I'm cautious about the financials but I am even more concerned about the perspective and approach of the commentaries themselves. Most of the NT authors seem to be from a dispensational background. If that is your approach, wonderful, but there is no indication of the theological perspective of this series. Everyone has a perspective--it is not a moot issue--and there tends to be a few channels this can go in an "Evangelical" commentary (e.g. dispensational, reformed, charismatic, etc.). Frankly, it might be good for marketing, but not being more thorough and straightforward on the theological plan and perspective that is envisioned or directed, makes any advanced (!) purchase more tenuous. I am not trying to stir up any trouble; I just wish that Logos was more forthcoming with all the relevant details.
Ross
Well, I went with the best deal longest payment plan - i.e., 1 year of 12 pmnts @$58.33/ea. with no servicing fee. Smallest ding to my budget. I figure I can still opt out before the first volume ships if the preview we were promised looks mediocre. So... where is the preview?
SNAFU Alert:
I sent the email yesterday, per the instructions, to sales@logos.com to request the ~$58/month no-fee 1-year payment plan, and requested email confirmation of this. Someone there apparently considered it as second order and showed it as $699.95, and today I got a confirming email to that effect. [:S]
So I called Logos today and the guy I was transferred to said, Yep, I have 2 orders for the EEC. He said he'd remove the second order.
However, when looking at my account, it appears he removed the first order, as it says I just ordered it Today for $699.95. I asked and he said I should get confirmation re: my Payment Plan choice, but right now it looks from the email I got that I'm going to get socked for all $699.95 in a single payment.
[:^)]
As someone who's read through commentaries with unapologetically preterist conclusions, as (very) reasonable as they are, I would personally find a commentary set of such an apparent high caliber, following a dispensationalist line very refreshing!
Many requests have been made for more info about the style, content, approach, target audience, etc. Logos has not responded. If the first volume is going to be ready in June, there should be sufficient material available now to give us a preview.
SNAFU Alert:... ...
You might want to send off that second email asking (1) for clarification and (2) outlining exactly what you want. [:)]
Many requests have been made for more info about the style, content, approach, target audience, etc. Logos has not responded. If the first volume is going to be ready in June, there should be sufficient material available now to give us a preview. and... The new question since then: How many other publication dates on this series are going to slide? I also am waiting on both questions Edwin (and everyone who's asking them). However I'm in it right now because my experience with Logos is that this pig in a poke ain't gonna be a cat. :-) Logos has always had a generous return policy - the customer service is always phenomenal - at least in my personal experience. Yes it is a gamble - I don't think it's rational to claim that it isn't. But given Logos' track record with customer service, I'm not convinced it's a bad gamble. Edit: Preordered it, but there's no option of a payment plan. Will delete and re-preorder when I can get the 12-month plan. Thomas, you may want to go back and re-read the blog post the payment plan is only available by contacting Logos directly. It will not be automatic through the web page. SNAFU Alert:... ... You might want to send off that second email asking (1) for clarification and (2) outlining exactly what you want.
You might want to send off that second email asking (1) for clarification and (2) outlining exactly what you want.
Funnily enough, I had missed that, and have just sent my email asking for the plan. Thanks for the advice anyway. Taking a massive risk, sure, but I don't think my money could go to a better company.
Many requests have been made for more info about the style, content, approach, target audience, etc. Logos has not responded. If the first volume is going to be ready in June, there should be sufficient material available now to give us a preview. and... The new question since then: How many other publication dates on this series are going to slide? I also am waiting on both questions Edwin (and everyone who's asking them). However I'm in it right now because my experience with Logos is that this pig in a poke ain't gonna be a cat. :-) Logos has always had a generous return policy - the customer service is always phenomenal - at least in my personal experience. Yes it is a gamble - I don't think it's rational to claim that it isn't. But given Logos' track record with customer service, I'm not convinced it's a bad gamble.
I also am waiting on both questions Edwin (and everyone who's asking them). However I'm in it right now because my experience with Logos is that this pig in a poke ain't gonna be a cat. :-) Logos has always had a generous return policy - the customer service is always phenomenal - at least in my personal experience. Yes it is a gamble - I don't think it's rational to claim that it isn't. But given Logos' track record with customer service, I'm not convinced it's a bad gamble.
Logos has always been good in the past to respond to customer requests. It seems strange that we don't know any more now than we did 7 months ago.
I don't buy every product that Logos produces--no one does (except may be Rosie [:)]). Each customer selects products that are of interest to them. We don't all have the same interest (academic, technical, pastoral, devotional). We need enough info about products to know if they will be of interest and use to us. There are plenty of Logos items that are beneficial to other customers that I have no interest in.
I know that it is hard to compare, but I think most customers would like to know how EEC compares to other major commentary series: NICOT/NICNT, WBC, ICC, Hermenia, BST, Pillar, BEC, EBC, etc.
I'm still thinking about that one. Since I already know how you feel about Dispensationalism, you might want to consider this thread http://community.logos.com/forums/t/31098.aspx
Thanks, Jack. That's good to know ahead of time rather than be surprised by it when the resource comes.
Glad to be of service, young fellow. [8-|] This is an ongoing discussion, and subsequent posts indicate that the original poster may have seen the set as being more narrow than it will be. However, it does have a lot of DTS alumni among the contributors. That would be a plus for me, but YMMV. [H]
Hahaha… You really have a lot of faith to a lot of things if you could put your money into this. That Logos and the EEC Committee will complete it, the authors do their job excellently and you want it, time and technology would not change, a stretch of nine years to finally get all your orders, and many more.
Funny, I'm not firmly decided that I don't want it!
I'm sure these commentaries would be a valuable addition to my library, but honestly compels me to say that that's too much a cash outlay for one set of books. I'm like some others - on a fixed budget - and I'll have to pass. I've got to use that much money to buy other books that will be just as worthy an addition to my library.
Logos, you guys are great, but this is just simply too much for my budget to absorb.
Lonnie
