Hey guys,
Well, it looks like my post has started a great debate of some sort. I'm aware that the JRiver community is robust and engaged, but please don't turn this into something it is not.
A valid point was made that JRiver works differently and that version 17 is not, in fact, out yet. That's fine. But many appear to have missed my point: as a consumer who does not have the time to educate myself about every aspect of how a company works via it's forum, I made a clear and sustained effort to make an informed choice. I did the best I could with several *hours* of searching. I was being *really* *really* careful. I expected I was buying a constantly updated piece of software where *my* input might actually help direct development. But if version 17 is where essentially all development is going, then that is *not* what I got, despite what was "advertised".
I'd also like to address the suggestion that I should have contacted a particular person directly rather than make a public post. Again... did you read my post? I specifically addressed this issue. I have NO way of knowing how to get in touch with JRiver in a more appropriate away. Again, I spent a great deal of time trying to locate an email address or phone number. Perhaps there was another avenue to take, but I looked for it and I couldn't find it. That is not my fault. Forgive me, for not knowing the ins and outs of a massive forum/community. I tried. I could have called 612 677 8200, but it specifically says it is for "corporate sales and business development only".
Thirdly, regarding "whining" about missing the cut off date: re-read my post. If this happens a lot... then JRiver has a systemic problem which needs to be addressed. Another solution would be to provide an email address so that anyone caught in "an unfortunate situation" could address the problem appropriately. I did *not* want to post about this on the forum. I had no other choice, as far as I could tell.
I'm sorry if I've offended anyone, but I challenge you to take a moment and put yourself in my shoes. 1. Imagine buying a piece of software which on your income level is a non-insignificant amount of money. 2. The day you pay your credit card bill seeing a charge for the software, you feel good about supporting a company with an awesome product who seems to go the extra mile to communicate with it's users. 3. Only moments later you notice an email asking you to "hurry now" and pay 50% of what you *just* paid, to ensure you get the latest version. It's a Sh***y feeling. It really is. Especially when you tried to ensure you wouldn't get in this situation in the first place. Then, imagine that you search and search and find the only apparent way to discuss the matter with the company is through a public forum. Then you get a lot of blow back from people who are much more "in the know" and can't possibly imagine how you don't know what they know.
As it stands, I would like to hear from someone from JRiver regarding this. How this is addressed will directly impact my future custom. I'd post my email address, but I think that unwise. So you can reach me via a PM. I still don't know how to reach you directly. I see a lot of replies from the development team; my issue is not with you. You guys make a great product. My beef is with the sales department. I would have contacted them if I was able.
-Dan
p.s. I have no feelings of undeserved entitlement. I hate current American consumer culture and everything that goes with it. I took into account the product I was buying, who I was buying it from, and several *hours* of research into making a purchase decision. I feel I was misled, however subtly about what I was, in fact, buying. I feel as though the person I bought it from *may* have misrepresented themselves. Perhaps I'm wrong, but this is more than sufficient to have buyers remorse and sour any potential future good will. The situation is in JRiver's hands (assuming someone related to this direct issue even becomes aware of my post), and how they handle it will determine my future with them. Simple as that.
And I know although all (most?) of you are die hard JRiver fans, as well you should be, there is an inescapable fact that several *free* products can duplicate my uses for Media Center. But I *really* wanted to support them. Having that good will thrown back in your face is what causes vitriol.