Cost. With Fastspring there is the cost of the product + localized tax + arbitrage premium (~3-5%) + an arbitrary fee (~6%). As a customer, I have to then guage the total cost of the product vs competitors that do not use Fastspring. Typically, the alternative always wins. Why should I pay an extra 10-15% just to use Fastspring. I think its a bad choice for ecomm shops especially in a competitive market. YMMVHmm ok - didn't know. So in this case this is a clear shortcoming, yes.Fastspring requires the postal code match the payment information. When you change the currency it changes the postal code field to be localized to the currency and the postal code entered has to match the payment info. It is not possible for example to switch it to Canada and pay in USD. This is one of the many issues with Fastspring that has resulted in me rejecting its use and discontinuing my patronage of shops that use it. It's very uncustomer-centric.You can switch the country at the top right. This then also changes the currency accordingly.Fastspring. As a customer, I do not use vendors that use Fastspring. I am in Canada and on top of imposing tax they also add a heafty fee at my cost, over and above the exchange rate and usual bank premium. They also wont allow me to pay in USD so I can't use my Paypal balance unless I convert it and lose more money in the exchange. So, just letting you know as a point of consideration. I will seek out other distributors to see if the product is there but if not, I no longer by through Fastspring.
But I agree that they should separate the currency choice from the country as most other MoRs are offering (even Digital River does).
If tax is included in the price or not decides the vendor.
Some include it, some add it. Makes a huge difference in countries like Germany (19%) or Sweden (25%)
Which other "many issues" do you have with FastSpring?
The other issue is the clunky product management system. From a customer perspective the best case is for the vendor to have their own on-site account and purchase management integrated in the vendor site. I get the attraction with Fastspring having their own product management but its at a cost for the customer, as I mentioned. And then the clunky experience: enter email address, wait for email, click email link, get a pootly laid out page of purchases etc.
Over-all its a poor solution for customers. It drives me to other vendors. I typically dont bother once I see Fastspring is involved unless there are other STRONG compelling reasons. In the competitive market of audio software its easier to just find a competitor that does use Fastspring.
Statistics: Posted by plexuss — Thu Dec 19, 2024 4:04 pm