Hero Lab Pricing Information / Suggestion

[JimGroves]

I have a suggestion regarding the main website (not the forum) in regards to the pricing information.

And all of this pertains specifically to Hero Lab, not the other products.

You make it very plain what the cost of the software is.. However, when I go to look at how much the other data sets, I'm encouraged to hint a link (which I'm told will tell me the pricing of the other data sets, which may vary).

Okay.. that's cool, so I hit the link. But I'm actually taken to a log in screen first, presumably for existing customers.

But what if I'm not an existing customer yet?

Speaking plainly, here is my concern and problem. The program looks cool, and I'm interested in buying it. However, since I play M&M2E and DnD 3.5, I'd probably want to get both data sets. So, going into this, I'd like to know what my overall cost is going to be. I *DO* know that the base price is $29.99, but why can't I find out how much the other data sets are going to be without buying something first?

And I won't beat around the bush.. if the price varies and I plan on buying an extra data set, I might as well find out which one is more expensive and get that one with my base $29.99 purchase, and then buy the cheaper data set. I'm not trying to be a jerk, but that's being a sensible and responsible consumer. It's a bad economy right now.

So how about some transparency as to the cost of the data sets? Please?

[rob]

Quoting JimmyOlsen <cainesinmyhead@gmail.com>:

> You make it very plain what the cost of the software is.. However,
> when I go to look at how much the other data sets, I'm encouraged to
> hint a link (which I'm told will tell me the pricing of the other
> data sets, which may vary).

All valid points and we'll need to get this sorted out. The reason for
the perceived lack of transparency is that additional data sets *will*
vary in price, depending on what packages you've already purchased.
For example, if you already have the WoD/Vampire data and want to add
Changeling, the price will be less than if you have d20 and want to
add the WoD/Changeling data. Why? Because you'll only need the
Changeling data and not the core WoD material (which you'll already
have). Once you login, the server figures out all this stuff for you
automatically.

Unfortunately, that doesn't prove useful for prospective customers
such as yourself, as you've pointed out. :-(

Until we can get this resolved on the website (two of us are on the
road this week), here's a quick breakdown for you. The price of each
game system's core package is always $20, regardless of the game
system. You get your choice of one game system with the initial
purchase, and each new game system is $20 after that. So there is no
difference between taking d20 as the free system and purchasing M&M,
or vice versa. We've worked with the publishers to arrange it this way
in an effort to eliminate any potential for customers to feel like
they "missed out" if they were to purchase game systems in a less than
optimal order.

The differences in pricing come about for the add-ons for a given game
system. Those differences simply reflect discounts for already having
purchased material that is replicated in the new package, such as the
WoD example I cited above.

I hope this provides you with the answers you're seeking. If you still
have questions, please let us know and we'll do our best to answer them.

[JimGroves]

I hope this provides you with the answers you're seeking. If you still have questions, please let us know and we'll do our best to answer them.

It sure did. Rest easy. :D

Actually I bought the software yesterday with M&M2E and then I got the D20 Core set. And I did it before you had a chance to answer, so this really hasn't lost you a sale, in terms of me.

And it all makes sense. I didn't really think there was anything sinister when I said there was a lack of transparency, but it's handy information to know. Just give it some thought when you get back to the office. I know what it's like to be in a small company.

-The base program and one Core game costs $29.99

-Adding another Core game costs $20.00

-Adding a data set that is dependent on another Core game (for example, the White Wolf Games like Mage or Changeling that depend on the Core WOD game) will vary in cost. However should cost less than the price of adding a Core Game itself.

Easy as pie!