P: Ask Adobe to reconsider their new Creative Suite upgrade/pricing policies

I've been a loyal user since Photoshop 3. I've tended to upgrade at every other major version release, because I haven't seen the value in upgrading at every version. Now we hear that Adobe isn't happy with that, so they want to charge full price if users don't think there's enough features in the product to justify an upgrade. I'm mad as H@ll at that idea. I've spent thousands of dollars on Photoshop, and this is the thanks I get?

Adobe doesn't see the unintended consequences of their action. It might spur more competition to snatch angry users away, and even an open-source movement to spring up.

If Adobe did what was done for Lightroom and offer it at about half the price of the previous version going forward, that might be a good way to ask users to stay on the upgrade treadmill without punishing them unjustifiably if they decide to skip a version. Or, make the time between version upgrades longer and put enough decent improvements in them to make it worth the price.

Your recent change to your upgrade policy is something you should be ashamed of. You wait until you're about to release cs version 6, and then announce that people using cs version 4 will have to upgrade twice withing within 3-4 months, or buy a full version. Please listen to Scot Kelby, and start the new upgrade policy with version 7. Come on Man!

Hi Paul, did you see that in addition to CS5 users, users of CS3 and CS4 will have an opportunity to upgrade to CS6?:

http://www.adobe.com/products/creativ...

Please do the right thing and start this policy with cs version 7. To do this immediately before you release cs version 6 is a very bad PR situation. Scot Kelby has the sensible soluton: pro-rate cs3 and cs4 upgrades and then people will know from now on what you intend to do beginning with version 7. Thank you.

Thanks PECourtejoie for posting the latest update about special introductory pricing policies. Repeated link: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativ...

Even though it is not specific in the Adobe Link, from other sources this will apply to the standalone Photoshop and not just the Suite products. Also, I have heard that those that have already upgraded to CS5/CS5.5 in the last two months just to get the discount for another quick upgrade to CS6 when released may get a special break. What I heard is that you can get better discounts than those that are still on CS3/CS4 (it was also mentioned that you might have to ask for the special pricing if you did a recent in the last two months - I am sure the smoke will clear on this).

Note that Adobe has not changed their overall upgrade policy strategy as of yet and this "special" (meaning not necessarily to be repeated) is just what they stated - an introductory offer. Adobe's new policy of upgrading one version back still stands as documented on their web site - of course unless their customers complain like they did this time when it comes time for upgrading to CS7.

Unfortunate for Adobe in late recognition of such vehement customer feedback about their new upgrade policy (unlike Verizon's quick move in one day to shut down their proposed convenience fee for $2.00 for single shot bill payments online or over the phone). IMHO Adobe has lost a lot of good will and trust yet in some respects did their customers a service. Customers/businesses that use Adobe products know that they should carefully review their options both with Adobe and outside Adobe. Locked in to one company puts your graphics software purchases at their whim. It's one of the same reasons that many PC manufactures build with both Intel and AMD processor chips. They don't want either company to have a monopoly on a critical component where a supplier would have a stranglehold.

I think Adobe's change in upgrade policies (even with the short term special reprieve) should still be considered a shot over the bow.

And yes I am happy they came to their senses at least momentarily even if it is a one time special. Maybe next time it won't take Adobe two months to recognize a bad decision. Adobe certainly knows and has stated that they can't do well unless their customers do well. Glad they looked up to see "how well" their customers were doing/feeling.

Thanks to all that contacted Adobe to provide feedback about your concerns. It did make a difference.

Hello, we can now be happy, as Adobe has decided to offer a special upgrade price to users of CS3 and CS4.
They will have from the release of CS6 until 31 december 2012 to upgrade to CS6: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativ...

Judy. The link below I feel adds a little perspective on how very important it must be for Adobe to have to have make this change in their upgrade policy. When your first 'quarterly' revenue hits the billions $1.028 billion never sounds quite as impressive as $1028 million in the board room does it? It's just like 1 isn't it. Anyhow enough money not to really worry about our departure eh Judy. Best David.

(anyone reading this please remember to multiply by about 4 for anual revenue - this is just the quarter)

http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/press...

If you can't be bothered to click it it starts like this.......

Adobe Reports Record Revenue in Q1 Fiscal 2011
For immediate release

SAN JOSE, Calif. — March 22, 2011 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 4, 2011.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, Adobe achieved record revenue of $1.028 billion, compared to $858.7 million reported for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and $1.008 billion reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. This represents 20 percent year-over-year revenue growth. Adobe’s first quarter revenue target range was $1 billion to $1.05 billion.

I agree with David. I bought early versions of Photoshop, the latest being CS2, CS3 and CS4. CS5 was the only version I didn't upgrade to. I was stunned to learn of this new policy. I'm realizing, too, that my CS4 takes care of 99.9% of what I want to do in editing my images. It will be fine for me to stay with CS4 and get off of Adobe's overly greedy gravy train.....one less customer for Adobe.

Is it true that CS6 will not follow the path of all other upgrades and not be upgradable from CS3 and CS4 only CS5. I currently use CS3 and will upgrade to CS6 unless you change your policy. As a professional photographer we are your best sales force to promote Photoshop to new users and often tell people to buy Elements and how great your products are. If you do get greedy - if this rumour is true I'm sure CS3 will still be fine for many years to come and I'm afraid you can cross me off your word of mouth salesforce list and lover of Adobe and Photoshop. C1 Pro provides excellent Raw conversion for me and most of the time it's all I need. I will simply go back to the good old days and leave retouching up to the clients as we used to with film. Please tell me this rumour is not true? I would hate to fall out with you before the New Year having been together for so many years.

Hi Edward,

I'm not quite sure this thread is about the same thing you are concerned about. Are you referring to Photoshop Album Starter Edition? If so, please consult this topic:

http://feedback.photoshop.com/photosh...

You're files are not blocked from use and are still available on your system to open in whatever software you desire.