Me too, I will whenever possible avoid buying from Handango again. I will not pay for Download Protection. Period. I keep a backup of my downloads too, and that is not the issue. The issue are "free" updates that, for certain applications, I can only get through the Hangango Store, when I did buy from there.
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Originally Posted by alex_kac
My two cents:
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I strongly dislike the download protection, but I do understand the reason its there - to help offset the cost of bandwidth. I know this because I know what I pay for that server's bandwidth I linked above and that's only for my own software. If it contained software for everything Handango holds for both Trials and redownloads, I'd spend more money on bandwidth than I'd make a year. Downloads are NOT free. They cost the provider money.
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With regards to the argument that the download protection pays fo the use of bandwith, while understanding that bandwidth isn't free, I do not buy that argument. I can go on the Handango site and download trials to the gazoo and use their bandwidth for free. And then, once I have purchased an application, transferred my $$$ to them and am a paying customer, I get the preferential treatment to get ripped off and needing to pay for a re-download protection. That is a very screwed up logic ...
The use of bandwith is a cost of doing business in the business that Handongo is.
I truly hope that the Mobihand store expands and includes more and more titles .. . There is a dire need for alternatives to Handango and to Pocketgear.
As someone said, once they start it, they most likely won't change back. I do agree with developers getting paid more. I would much rather deal direct. I find they are more concerned about support and information flows better. Unfortunately you get hooked because sites like Handango have so many titles all in one place. I will work harder to avoid them in the future. As for the bandwidth argument...Naw it "is" the cost of doing business. If that argument was valid then the amount they would have to add to the title cost would be minimal to cover bandwidth costs. That's just Big Business trying to get every penny they can.
FYI: This is the response from Handgo after I told them I would not be purchasing from them any longer due to their download protection policy. Just a bunch of smoke and mirrors.
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Thank you for contacting Handango Customer Care.
Download Protection is a service offered by Handango that protects you from a broad range of circumstances which may cause the loss of the software application files you've purchased. This service allows you to redownload your files past 30 days from the time of purchase of the application.
You might need to redownload your application files for a number of reasons including the following:
1. You get a new mobile device and want to re-add software titles you've purchased in the past.
2. Your mobile device needs to be reset, resulting in the loss of your application files.
3. You get a new PC and need an extra copy of your application files for redownload.
4. The PC on which you back-up your application file crashes.
5. You need to redownload the latest version after a developer releases an upgrade.
Simply visit your Handango Purchase History page:
1. Log in to your member account here https://www.handango.com/GoPass.jsp.
2. View records of previous purchases for all products with Download Protection Service.
3. Click Download next to any product with Download Protection Service to redownload the application files.
4. The file will be delivered to your PC or over-the-air to your device (depending on their original method of delivery).
We appreciate your business with Handango.
Sincerely,
Chris
Hi
I have also had the problem of being asked to pay for redownloading software. This is only recent software bought since the download protection has been in force. Older applications before the download protection I can still download.
The most irritating thing about their download protection scheme is that they only apply it to software that you can download only through them. Other software that you can download from the producers site or download the full version as a trial on other sites you can download without Handango asking for a download protection fee.
Their greedy logic is if you can download it elsewhere we do not mind supplying the download for free but because you cannot download it elsewhere we will make sure you pay through the nose for it so we can earn a extra few bucks out of your hard luck in not having the original file.
I only buy software from Handango now when I get a upgrade or a special offer and the producer gives no other option than to purchase through Handango.
I would never pay download protection when most of the bigger companies allow you to download the full version on their site and as long as you have a code there is no problem.
You could always request your download link from the software company support. Most of the company will provide it for free, since you have bought it.
:roll:
I wanted to respond to you regarding a blog you posted about Handango Download Protection. Being the long-time Handango customer that you are, I would like to provide additional information to help you understand this service and your options.
Handango stores every download file for every product sold on our site. We have over 200,000 products and many of them have years of update files. I am sure you understand the data storage and bandwidth needed to support such an effort. Prior to a year ago, we provided additional downloads at no charge even years after purchase. This is no longer feasible for us. If you opt not to purchase download protection Handango offers the software for download for up to 30 days after purchase free of charge. During that time you can make your own software backup or you can purchase download protection after 30 days if needed.
Please be aware that Download Protection does not apply to Handango.com purchases made prior to February 2006 or any Handango InHand purchases. You can download these purchases as frequently as you need without any additional charges. We wanted to do this for our long-time customers like you and grandfather in past purchases so that DPS would not be necessary. For purchases made after February 2006 on Handango.com, Download Protection was a new optional service and if purchased allows you unlimited downloads for up to one year. If you opt not to purchase the Download Protection, you still have unlimited downloads for up to 30 days after purchase. During that time you can make your own software backup or you can purchase download protection after 30 days if needed. In addition, you will continue to have access to your registration key information through your Handango Member Account.
I hope this helps explain Download Protection further. As we continue to evaluate this program, the feedback we receive from customers like yourself will be used to help us determine improvements in the future. We do want you to continue to be a valued Handango customer. To show our appreciation for your business, please accept this $15 gift code to use on your next visit to www.handango.com.
__________________
"A planner is a gentle man, with neither sword nor pistol.
He walks along most daintily, because his balls are crystal."
Wow. At least, they do monitor what's been said about them. I never get any response when I email to their affiliate email address regarding my affiliate account (which I find frustrating). I hope they are reading this.
Okay, I can sort of understand their reasoning, if they are keeping that particular version file available. I have always kept archives of as many versions of a program because I find that a lot of apps become bloatware and don't offer much in function and features.
But at least they aren't preventing us from downloading the trial version of the current version, which was my concern because if I paid for the registration of a software, I should still be entitled to it, that is, unless the current version isn't a full version upgrade. But then, I don't mind paying for the upgrade then.
Obviously, your best way is to make a backup of the program on your computer if you don't want to pay. At least they explained it a bit better.
But still, I don't like paying for the download protection. I just hope that other sites don't start doing this though.
hhhmmm... is this download protection really selective?
i went back to my purchase history with handango (and like most here, have been a customer since way back - 2002), and tried downloading softwares purchased after February 2006. there were no problems - there was none asking me to pay, etc.
on the other hand however, these softwares are those that are widely available from the developer's site... hhhmmm...
You know what, I don't really need them storing old versions. My problem with this is, if the software has an update a year and a half later, and the developer doesn't have a site to get it at, I can't get it from them either.
That's why I go elsewhere when I purchase something now.
I'd prefer only to buy from the developer, but so many of them link you to Handango.
Download Protection to finance bandwidth?
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