How NOT to sell software - JetBrains web site problems

JetBrains is currently running a special promotion for Resharper, offering a "Personal License" to individuals for $99. Being potentially interested, I've spent the last couple of days trying to get an eval license so I could try the software before buying. Unfortunately, filling out the form for a 30 day eval license and submitting it just results in the error ""Our server is temporarily busy. Please, try again later or contact us via e-mail: webmaster@jetbrains.com". I sent an email to that address, but got no response. This does not make me feel warm and fuzzy about buying their software.

This also highlights what I think is a silly but not uncommon practice - the timed-limited license key. If you want to enforce a time-limited eval, great. But don't make me request a special key in order to evaluate the software - just start the clock when I install it. You goal as a software vendor is to make it as easy as possible for me to try (and hopefully get hooked on) your software. The more barriers you put up to that, the less like I am to try it, and the less likely I am to buy it. The "request a key" approach is both an additional hassle for me and introduces a potential point of failure - as in JetBrains' case.
 

8 Comments

  • I've been going through something similar with Nero (Ahead Software) lately as well, and now they want me to call their so-called 800 number...at $1.99/minute.

    Freaks, all of 'em.

  • amen.

    My attention span is so short, if I have to wait for an eval key longer than 10 minutes, I forget about the software.

    Unless its highly recommended... and I really want it. But then I'd probably just buy it, right?

  • I can't say nothing bad about JetBrain's. I've bought Resharper2 3 days before the personal licence action has started. After a short e-mail to JetBrains asking for 'money-back' I've got almost immediatly positive answer.

    I've had also some technical question's to Resharper and got answer latest within 3 days.

  • Kevin!

    We are really sorry for your negative experience with our website.

    If you will find a second to drop us an email to sales(at)jetbrains.com we would be happy to provide you with free license for ReSharper 2.0

    Best regards
    Alex Tkachman
    COO
    JetBrains

  • I had the same problem and it turned out it was caused by some firewall rules that did not allow emails from the ip range that they used.

    It was coming from outside the US and so all traffic was blocked. Once I contacted their US sales department I got what I needed.

    I had problems with ReSharper hosing everything in the past but they finally got it right with the 2.5 release. It was painfull using it until the 2.5 product update due to how much it slowed everything down and crashed VS2005.

    Now everything is working very well.

  • Resharper is a virus that intrusively integrates itself with and hoses your applications. Slows down my machine's performance and crashes like there's no tomorrow.

  • JetBrains ReSHarper tool rules. That's it. Can't live without it now.

  • Lunch Early,lead express low amount worth order not liberal equal sufficient affair respect window following alright cross call west senior totally him hold many vision aware enterprise fast internal show pressure people girl hence hate fit variety soft responsible distance chapter letter important island carry programme aye problem attack signal distinction sea throughout military town extent brother leave party if contract music horse remain except violence pressure ring entirely corner average divide face result profit reality drive challenge like close handle force sometimes paint half executive farmer potential error on narrow stock need limit

Comments have been disabled for this content.