[resolved] Recommendations?

Michael -

Suggestions from one who has recently purchased several base packages -

One approach is to select a general (non-denominational) base package (Gold or above to get all the data base and language features). Then with a promotion (that may still apply), if one orders a base package, one can concurrently choose from a group of selected additional resource (book) bundles (such as Theology sm.,med. L. XL; Baptist sm. med. L. XL; Reformed sm. med. L. XL.; etc.) one bundle at 50% off regular price . Ask/push your salesperson for this offer.  After acquiring one base package, additional base packages can be purchased, and with dynamic pricing, one will only be charged for the additional resources (books) not already in one's base library  (assuming one has a sufficient level base package that contains all the data base & program features.)

Thus I had a Gold V5 package that I later upgraded to Platinum V6 with dynamic pricing and introductory discount, and later purchased Baptist Silver at discount and with dynamic pricing to obtain additional Baptist-oriented resources - the least expensive way to go. 

Also - always look for discounts/sales on the bundles or packages.  For example, I purchased my Gold V5 at a large conference (Ligonier) where Logos reps. had a table, offering a significant conference promotional discount.

Finally - develop a relationship with a Logos salesperson - get their direct line number and always use the same person to order.  Ask them to work discounts for you or for the current over-the-phone discount.  Their managers will occasionally inform them of special discounts only available to customers over the phone - but you have to ask.  They can also work on flexibility on some of the sale offers, in terms of when they are ending (if on a weekend).

Of course, for resources, there is always the community pricing and pre-publication features.  Do note one can sometimes wait for months (even years?) for some titles to garner sufficient interest to go into contract (production) - but the earlier one gets in, usually the less one pays. For example,  I am in on the Britannica Noet for $99 - presently at $199.99, and slated to sell at $400 when immediately available. (Since this is an item Logos pushed hard, it will go into production and be released relatively soon.)  Also, always consider bundles - prices are usually significantly less than purchasing individual volumes - and purchasing additional base packages (with dynamic pricing) could be even less. With very rare exceptions, I never pay the list price for any of the resources - I wait and shop the sales - and make sure the discounts are significant. Of course, if one needs an explicit title/author, there is not much choice - but this can usually be avoided with planning and patience.  However, one must be willing to purchase if one sees a desired work on sale - as it is uncertain if it will be on sale in the future.  Your salesperson can provide insight as to whether certain works/publishers go on sale frequently or rarely, if ever.

Hope this helps!

Justin Gatlin said:

I don't really buy into the idea of getting a confirmation bias base package. Standard Gold is the best value, especially with the commentary sets in L6. Bundles from there can tailor to special interests (I would recommend the backgrounds bundle and the chaplain BP to start). That provides plenty to do serious Bible study.

I would agree with this in hindsight.  I like my Baptist Gold package, but there are many resources in Standard that I now wish I had.

Michael,  I too am a Southern Baptist, but likely not quite as reformed as your pastor. That being said, I really enjoy many reformed scholars & writers. When Logos 6 came out with the all new packages, I closely looked at them all.  I concluded that the standard packages are a better value than the Baptist or Reformed base packages due to the commentaries you get. So, I would go at least Gold with the base package. Then, the choice becomes spending the rest to go to Platinum or spending the difference on specific resources that you know you will use. My suggestions would be the Word Biblical Commentary set, the ISBE, and the IVP Dictionaries. For a pastor who preaches every Sunday, that would be great "bang for the buck"

Michael

One thing could be to ask your Pastor what Commentaries he uses now, and maybe which he would really like to own but does not the money to get in print. Then see which base package might have those commentaries in Logos.

I am also Reformed and Baptist, when L6 came out I upgraded to Standard Platinum and Reformed Platinum and a few bundles. That being said I don't think I will upgrade again for some time now.

Lee

I'm curious, when does a request for recommendations become "resolved"?

DAL said:

Who the heck is coming up with this "resolved," "unresolved" labels? It's stupid. I noticed there are quite a few now that have that label.

I'm guessing it's a new system they're trying out in order to help the Faithlife/Logos staff to have a systematic way of knowing if they need to give more attention to a specific thread or not.