We have all been very keen to get an update with all our suggestions, the main one that comes up is the coupon code etc.
Well I am sure one of the main issues for Coffee Cup in producing updates is the finances to fund the time and effort. Coffee Cup to survive needs turnover. So my idea is who would be willing to pay for an upgrade. We basically did going to the PRO version anyhow, that was ok. The software is of a reasonable pricing to start with, so a contribution to an upgrade I see would be acceptable if we all get a product that works for us.
Just my thoughts, as I am keen to see an upgrade of the Shopping Cart. And we need Coffee Cup to survive as a business.

Waiting for Update.

I suspect an update wont be released until later this year. Scott has mentioned in another thread that support for Google Checkout will be removed from the program in August. It may be that SCC will receive more attention in the coming months and an update/upgrade released in late fall/early winter.

I would agree with Sport Sense regarding paying for an upgrade. I think Coffee Cup needs to re-evaluate their business model and do away with completely free updates for life. That simply isn't sustainable. It requires them to be constantly releasing new products and services.

As a customer, it's great to receive updates for free and I would expect bug fixes and the like to be free but an upgrade is a different matter. I would be willing to pay a reasonable fee for an upgrade. I suppose the question then becomes "What is a reasonable fee?" Fifty-percent off retail price, maybe?

When released, it was a signifant outlay for SCC Pro and Designer for a Coffeecup product that looked like a great future as Coffeecup always delivered but the wheels have come off big style with this one and things have not progressed. I can appeciate why, priorities change... replacing Flash products with HTML 5 / PHP and responsive web design are now more important to Coffeecup. Certainly the next big release should be interesting.

In the meantime, I haven't been asked to build any shops recently so I'm not greatly concerned just as long as HTML Editor and Web Form Builder keep on being developed.... they are so good!

Since I have nothing to sell, I am not using the shopping cart programs, but I have purchased all the rest of Coffeecup's products and this is relevant for the full range:

I fully agree that CC's business model needs to be reconsidered, to allow for major upgrades to be charged for. I think sustainability demands that there is a revenue stream incentive, not only for new programs, but also for upgrades of existing ones that involve significant new features. I for one would be more than happy to pay a reasonable price for such upgrades, since I believe it would speed up the upgrade schedules and, more importantly, improve the prognosis for the future of the company. I believe a majority of CC users would be amenable to such a policy change as well, if carefully and honestly presented.

All of CC's programs are very reasonably priced and I trust that upgrades would also be very reasonably and fairly priced.

There is of course the 'little problem' with CC software to date having been sold with the promise of 'free upgrades for life'. There would be public relations issues and, for all I know, maybe even legal issues. A policy change may have to be limited to those programs whose upgrades are anticipated to be particularly demanding and costly. But, if I were in CC's shoes, I would seriously reconsider the free upgrade policy at least for new programs from here on out.

I'd be curious about what others might think about these issues!

Well I do agree fully that there needs to be a revamp of their update system. Free updates for life 10 years ago was a good thing, but they are delving into some bigger waters lately and I don't think that's going to be such a good idea. I also don't think it's going to affect the old programs as it would be from a specific date on I would think. That means yes you have the current programs, but later if you want to update it you'll need to pay (regardless of whether you bought it with updates for life or not). But....

My ponder is this... I would gladly pay for updates, but will that mean we'll get them?
My question basically is wondering... if they are not able to get the updates to us now, will that change then? Will we get more updates because they can afford to hire more programmers or will they still be with the same people that are already so overworked trying to get updates out that we will still not get them lol.

Now personally, I don't care in the end, I truly think they should be charging for upgrades same as any other software company no matter what. The above is just me wondering how that will all work is all

I'm hoping the answer is that they could afford to hire more programmers which will get us the updates we have been waiting for on a handful of programs.

The problem is that Coffeecup by stating they would offer free upgrades for life, entered into a legally binding contract the moment they sold the programs on that understanding.

I don't feel that the issue is one of funding, but more a case of diversifying into too many areas, instead of focusing on the main core products. Whilst everyone is getting overly excited about the 'new' responsive capabilities, the harsh reality is that most other cart softwares have had responsive themes/templates for quite a long time now.

Whilst paying for upgrades sounds ok in principle, just remember that people 'upgraded' to SCC Pro on the understanding that discount vouchers, digital downloads and custom text entry would be implemented quite quickly. Two years down the line - nothing!

is the issue here updates or upgrades

Surely they have updated so any glitches have been ironed out, and if windows changed, they updated to compensate.

But i still never remember CC promising things like voucher codes or digital uploads in SCC or SCCP

I remember a suggestion that a text field could be added so my name pendent customers could add the name required to their order.

Name pendents have all but gone out of fashion, text field still not available, am i complaining no not really, i bought it without the option, it was not stated when i bought it that it would be a likely update.

I would still like like the option so customers can add the initials they want engraved, etc and i am sure many other SCCP users would be great full for similar reasons

But that would be an UPGRADE not an update so i would EXPECT to pay extra for it

Even better still a separate small compatible app, that one could purchase if one wants it, so the people who dont want it have not had to pay for it

Actually Viv, they did say it was coming, when people asked about Coupon codes and text field and digital downloads too. It was said it was on the list and coming, and it's actually been quite a bit longer than 2 years Will.
I do agree with you Will, it's a shame it's been left to sit so long that many have migrated to other venues for their shops. I don't pretend to know why, I'm sure they have their reasons and I do know they have their hands full with all the new things coming and just recently released. Maybe they've decided that the cart stuff doesn't bring in enough revenue to accommodate the amount of work that is needed? Dunno. Sure do want to see those features in there though, that would soooo make so many users happy campers without a doubt.

It was well documented enough within these forums Viv. If you go back over two years ago the cart forums were buzzing with activity and Coffeecup were on a roll, then for some obscure reason development on the cart softwares ceased overnight. People have by necessity migrated in volume to alternative cart solutions, as v1.4 and the improved feature sets simply never materialised.

None of this 'lull' is down to the economic downturn or other factors though, as the forums of other cart softwares are still buzzing with activity. The essential difference being their cart offerings are continually being developed and enhanced. Coffeecup have unfortunately lost those former customers forever now though. Fail to keep your eye on the ball in business and customers will simply go elsewhere