Purchasing subscriptions is fiscally irresponsible in my opinion. I can't afford an unlimited number of subscriptions that I have a pay for for the rest of my life - my income is not unlimited. Personally, I prefer a purchase model to a subscription model. Also, many people object to cloud-based models, where often times your data is not under your direct control and things may not work smoothly when disconnected from the Internet. If you want CC, you have a pay a subscription every month. But to remain current, our sense is that we may not really have a "choice." Our water supply is controlled at the dam and this is surely a profit maker for Adobe and better controls the unauthorized users.Ī huge difference is that you already paid for CS6. And, having a largely seasonal business with the associated and unpredictable bell curve of finances makes it truly a risky choice. Once we start, we are stuck with it because those files created are like addicts - they must have their fix from that point on or not be able to function properly. So, that fact, the more realistic comparison of, "Would you rather spend $600 now, or risk having to spend $960 over the next 2 years or $1,440 over the next 3 years?" is whispering in our ears as we hear the spin. In a situation like this, comparing spending $600 for a product purchase with spending "only" $40 per month for a year sounds innocuous, only within the "box" of the year containment scenario as it essentially is asking the narrow question, "Would you rather spend $600 or just "$480?" But, people like me will use a product for at least 2 years, perhaps 3 years before getting another upgrade. I will buy something like Photoshop, or Dreamweaver out of necessity or because there is increased value and upgrades that I must have to do what I want to do or need to do.
I use the products in a very small business, mostly in photography and associated websites, with a few clients mixed in for good measure. But, is it really? I, and I would guess many others, are not "power users" who use many Adobe products and are constantly buying upgrades whenever they come out. Talking about how much we, the buyer, can save over the course of a year, makes this sales pitch seem more palatable. Corporations generally (or always) make their decisions based upon increasing profits but always use the spin of benefits to the buyer. I realize this is a late post for this thread, but am at this state of mind and dilemma at this time.