Wow, had to check my account at The Flightsim Store (FSS) to make sure they hadn't changed the terms and conditions without notifying me. However it still says "Link expires: Never" and 96 downloads remaining, even on products bought in 2010.

 

I've tried to consolidate my purchases to that store precisely because of this. While I do keep backups in two places, backup drives can fail, sometimes even simultaneously, the house could burn up or anything...

 

Also it's convenient always being able to download a new, fresh installer with all the latest updates included. For example, with Carenado, you can easily use up your 3 downloads just to get an up-to-date installer:

 

1. Download the product on release day

2. Re-download with SP1 included

3. Download again once SP2 comes out a few weeks later

 

 

That is illegal in some countries,

 

Which countries and under which law?

Ok, sorry for all parties involved if I mislead somebody. It is good to know anyway, and personally I will not return to the shop in question.

I hate this. I tried to redownload some photoscenery for Hawaii for X-Plane which wasn't cheap, which I purchased a year ago, and was told I'd have to pay $5 to download it again, annoyed wasn't the word to explain how I felt. So I know just do without it. I will never buy from their site again.

 

I can understand bandwidth costs money, but if you're going to sell downloadable software, get the infrastructure to support it, and don't expect the customer to pay for it. Hell, even sites like simheaven.com etc other "free downloads" for "free".

Hope you don't mind adding RealAir Simulations to that list! We have customers re-downloading products from 2004 and have never charged a penny. We'd go further back than that except FS2002 products have not been asked for since round 2008. We do ask customers to check in with us if they want to install products over a (generous) certain number of times but that's to make sure the original customer and not a pirate is attempting to install. We have some customers who are reluctant to backup or keep their details so it can be a lot of work, and quite large bandwidth charges - in some cases wiping out any profit at all - but generally speaking customers are reasonable and fair.

 

We all lose stuff occasionally and I don't think vendors should exploit that. Asking for a backup fee in the first year is in my view bad practice.

 

Rob - RealAIr

Yea, you guys do a fine job too!

 

Like mentioned earlier, with several solutions (like Bittorrent) it comes at no cost to keep software online.

And comparing with sending over DVD again is apples and oranges. The physical distribution of a physical disc does come with a considerable price tag, especially international. While a digital distibution is virtually free and costs no manual labour.

 

But some here are very eager to keep everything the way it is. I think some extra service would be great.

I can understand bandwidth costs money, but if you're going to sell downloadable software, get the infrastructure to support it, and don't expect the customer to pay for it.

This statement defies all logic.

 

The customer IS paying for it, either directly or as a surcharge.

 

So either everyone pays more, and the company puts this toward the cost of those who lose/don't make backups.

 

Alternatively, the company charges nothing to cover contingencies, and user-pays if you have to download again.

 

I guess the former model works great with customers expecting the vendor to be an endless cloud server.

 

The point is, if you don't download again, you are possibly subsidising everyone else who does!

 

Both models are valid. They are just different.

How about your iTunes that you lose?

 

How about in the USA? It doesn't matter where you are located, it matters where the store is located.

 

Yes even on iTunes, you are given the right to download all your content on any device

This statement defies all logic.

 

The customer IS paying for it, either directly or as a surcharge.

 

So either everyone pays more, and the company puts this toward the cost of those who lose/don't make backups.

 

Alternatively, the company charges nothing to cover contingencies, and user-pays if you have to download again.

 

I guess the former model works great with customers expecting the vendor to be an endless cloud server.

 

The point is, if you don't download again, you are possibly subsidising everyone else who does!

 

Both models are valid. They are just different.

OK, badly put. But in my case, the DVD and the download were the same price, and I'm pretty sure it's much cheaper to offer a download than it is to provide a DVD. I don't see why I should have to pay $5 to download the software again, considering I've already paid the "download tax". I'm happy for them to give me say "5 downloads", but one single download is a joke, and I'll avoid sites that now offer this (Including PMDG). It's a nasty way of making a quick buck of genuine customers, and this case I'll go elsewhere in future, even if it means paying slightly more.

The biggest issue here is the mis-conception that digital products are any different from any other product created. If you loose your mobile phone, do you go to the store and pick another of the shelf then walk off?

 

The cost of hosting isnt free, and bandwidth is always the biggest issue. As has been noted you either pay for extra downloads of pay a slightly higher price on the product themselves to pay for the servers etc.

 

Alternatively you just backup your products and look after them as you would a mobile phone and they will serve you well until you dont need them anymore.

It's the stores decision on how they want to manage their commercial relationship with customers. As long as the policy is made clear that's fine - you can then choose which storefront you'll be purchasing from.

 

For me - I now choose stores where the downloads are covered long term. I already have a 12TB NAS setup with RAID mirroring that serves as my backup, but simply prefer to know that if I need to download again (for any reason) I'm able to do so as easily as possible. As such flightsimstore, simmarket, Aerosoft store and x-plane.org store are my sites of choice - even if sometimes you do spend a small amount more.

You could add pcaviator.com to the list - frequent sales, so chances are you don't need to spend more.

It's the stores decision on how they want to manage their commercial relationship with customers. As long as the policy is made clear that's fine - you can then choose which storefront you'll be purchasing from.

 

Exactly, vote with your wallet.

 

Bandwidth isn't free of course, but seriously, in 2013, I doubt the actual cost of downloading a small file is anywhere near $5. That's just ridiculous. Defending them is ridiculous, when some stores are clearly able to offer their customers virtually unlimited downloads with no extra charge. Comparing digital downloads to cars, phones etc. makes no sense. Those are physical items that have to be manufactured, not just a bunch of 1's and 0's that get translated into light pulses or voltage fluctuations.

 

Again. vote with your wallet and those stores may find that they have more to gain from offering unlimited downloads than the tiny, tiny cost it incurs. If a developer is only selling through a store with limited downloads, write the developer. Tell them how you feel and that you would buy their products if they were to sell them through another store.

Don't know what all the fuss is about,  all you got  to do as some has already suggested above is  to make back up of every download exes you purchased either  to a cd, or to a back up drive than you don't have  to worry about downloading again and you got  it forever till either you lose the disk, gets stolen or you use it  as a drink coaster.

 

 

That's just ridiculous.

 

What's ridiculous is the lack of understanding of business.

 

. A developer needs a total income to stay in business. It can get that from direct sales and extras such a re-download charges. If it charges for re-downloading then it needn't charge as much for direct sales and their prices can be lower. If it doesn't charge then it's direct sales prices will be higher.  In that case everyone is paying extra to allow some users to re-download.

 

That's what budget airlines do. Passengers who accept the basic service get cheap flights. Those who want extras pay for them. It's reported the Spirit Airlines in the US gets 40% of its revenue from extras Without extras everyone would have to pay some 60% more.

Would a product advertised at $5 more at one store when compared to another create the same angst.

 

When viewing threads like this, I do wonder if people enjoy confecting outrage more than flightsimming itself.

 

As has been said, the download period is stated, as are the TOU. If you don't agree then don't buy.

 

If a $5 redownload service is not of use then don't pay it!

 

Personally, i have not had issue with having to pay to redownload.

 

It is de-rigeur (check product downloads on Digital River for general software) so railing against it is somewhat like complaining about inflation, income tax and mortgage interest rates.

 

They exist. Exercise your consumer brain, and live with the consequences of your decision. This clncept is neatly encapsulated in the phrase 'Caveat emptor'