So what exactly went wrong in case here, as I understand it that’s what OP did?
I don’t feel it’s all sunshine and fluffy clouds today with this situation. We’ve seen unclear or misleading product communication for some time, and if it isn’t clear this is not the company it was 10, 5 or even 3 years ago. Either we give feedback so customer relations can be improved or we accept we have no rights except for turning away. Most of us can’t, we’re caught in a monopoly game where all big players milk us for money and forced us all into constant cash flow up their way, and their CEOs certainly won’t be planting a tree outside their offices with it or build an orphanage.
He went to the trial page and downloaded a trial version.
Instead, you need to go to your download page (you need to be logged in) and download the product. Usually, you already have a license for this product, but that’s not required.
You can install the product without a license, and it will still let you convert materials, such as from Corona to V-Ray, even if you don’t have a Corona license.
As an existing user this doesn’t affect me
personally, but…
This is indeed common, but it is still anti-user. Nobody on the planet wants a “trial” to auto-convert to a subscription. If they do they will OPT-IN.
I get that the docs clearly say this will happen. It just simply should NOT EVER happen with any product. It’s anti-consumer.
Some credit cards offer a nice feature of one-time credit card numbers. You can use them in this case and they can only be charged once-- never used for a subscription. I guess that would not help here, since you were using a trial which was free to begin with; so even one use is undesired. But good to prevent recurring subscription BS.
When I was an employee at Chaos 3-4 years ago, I literally filled in a survey saying that I work there “because we are the good guys”.
Ergo I left when things changed.
So I think removing this possibility for folks to get charged without realizing they signed up for such a thing is a good way for the new execs to show that being the good guy does not have to make sense financially.
Who can tell, maybe things like integrity do matter even if they don’t show in the excel sheets…
What I think a lot of “management” does not realize is that, in the long run, the bottom line is almost alway positively impacted by being a “good guy.” This has been my business philosophy for 30+ years, and it has always paid off. Sure, there are those who will take advantage, but the pay off in the repeat customers who “get it” is massive.
I think this is how Chaos was run for a very long time as well. I believe there is still time for a continuance. “I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn’t driven it from you fully.”
I totally agree. Things like charging for extra services and forgiving the debt at the end. Before Covid I gave a lot away for free. After, not so much. I charge, and if it wasn’t a gig deal, I forgive.