Free update window is closing

Hello,

As you may know, I have acquired addons from different companies these past 5 years or so, like the following:-

  • RWExtras
  • StackManiac
  • RapidWeaverPro
  • Tsooj Media
  • SeyDesign
  • Nimblehost (excluding Armadillo and Waterfall)
  • Henk Vrieselaar

These were not addons or companies given to me for free. I engaged in formal business agreements with their past owners. Because I wanted to offer these addons a safe home and promised to continue maintaining and supporting them.

As part of the contractual agreements, I have tried to update as many of the addons as possible and re-list them on websites like ThemeFlood, Stacks4Stacks, SeyDesign, RWExtras and RapidSearchPro.

Many thousands of customers have successfully requested free updates for all that I have updated.

We have handled the updates efficiently; through means of requesting proof of purchase from customers and providing qualifying customers with 100% coupon codes, normally valid for 48 hours. These coupon codes have allowed customers to re-buy updated addons they need and add them to their Paddle accounts for prosperity.

It’s worked great, because lots of people have been able to make contact and get hold of free updates. Paddle does a really good job of centralising addon purchases and making them available at anytime.

However it’s reaching the point now that there is an increasing amount of extra administrative work required in receiving ‘proof of purchase’ from customers by email, sending out update instructions and generating 100% coupon codes.

Sadly some of the customers we are dealing with are not as friendly or as honest as you might expect all RapidWeaver users to be! It’s rare to get a “thank you” back in exchange for providing free updates. We get zero revenue for providing these updated addons - which in some instances are entirely new addons with only their name remaining unchanged. Some of the issued coupon codes we send out do not even get used.

This post is to announce that the “grace period” or “update window” closes on 1st January 2019.

After this date, any addons purchased from the above named companies and not already listed in your Paddle account will no longer be eligible for coupon codes or free updates.

I have thought about this long and hard. And consulted with others. The consensus is that some of these named companies were taken over more-than 5 years ago! I am of the opinion that a majority of customers who are still actively using these addons and retain an interest in RapidWeaver have already updated long before now.

A line needs to be drawn and we need to set a definitive deadline for issuing free updates. Things are getting quite messy and not always especially pleasant to deal with.

Of course, this will not effect addons that are already listed in your Paddle account or the smaller incremental updates you get automatically in RapidWeaver. This post is mostly targeted at the ‘under the radar’ customers who may not have already transitioned their past purchases across to Paddle yet.

I hope all readers of this discussion understand the need for this cut-off point to be set. The big administrative saving it brings ensures more time can be dedicated towards actual development of RapidWeaver addons. Lots is planned for 2019. Do take advantage of this final free update window, before it closes for good at the end of December.

It has been decided to do it at this time of year, because typically client workloads are less and the holiday period is a good opportunity to weed-through those old receipts and download links.

If you need help or have further questions, please get in touch by email. Advice is always available.

-Will.

19 Likes

Thanks for supporting these products for so long @willwood and understand the admin involved so this is an excellent decision for all parties and to keep the products healthy going into the future. Looking forward to what you come up with in 2019!

2 Likes

Full agreement! Thanks for your great work!

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Yes, a big thanks to Will!! He very quickly updated a few old Sey Doggie themes a few months ago and much appreciate it. I still use his Volcano Theme for my main web site.

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Thanks a lot, Will! Very much appreciated! I hope to be able to reimburse you for your kind offer in the future!

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Will has always been a staunch supporter of RapidWeaver, and his support for his products is 1st. Class. Very happy to support him.

David

2 Likes

Will saved many stacks and themes from extinction, rewrote many of them almost entirely and has supported them free of charge for many years.
It’s only correct that at some point his fine work should be rewarded.
It couldn’t and shouldn’t be expected that he continue to submit free updates for a further X years.

Thanks for continuing to invest in RW, Will !!

4 Likes

Will, you saved many stacks from disappearing. I was one of the late customers contacting you in December after 3 years of RapidWeaver absence and was happy about he upgrades and the new home for my pre-owned stacks and themes. I like to take the opportunity to send a big Thanks to you! - I wish you all the best for 2019 onwards. May your life by happy and full of prosperity!
Kai-Uwe

3 Likes

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