Software User Saving Thousands on License Stirs Debate: 'Not Paying Extra'

There was an air of disdain after one software user revealed how quick thinking saved them nearly $3,000 on a necessary renewal license.

In a viral Reddit post published on the r/MaliciousCompliance forum, Redditor u/StatisticianEast7730 (otherwise referred to as the original poster, or OP) said they were staring down the barrel of a huge invoice until their decision to buy new paid significant dividends.

Titled, "Renewal license is more expensive than a new one? Fine, I'll uninstall my old software," the post has received more than 8,000 upvotes since September 30.

"I have a software license that I bought last year. The license [was] for one year," OP began. "A few days ago, I bought a new license but I kept getting emails that my license was about to expire."

Continuing to explain that they were able to reach the software company's customer service department, the original poster said they laid out their conundrum and made it clear they had already purchased a new license for the upcoming year.

The original poster also said they were unfortunately informed that their new license, which cost $1,099, wouldn't work and that they would have to purchase the $2,899 renewal license or uninstall the software.

So that's what they did.

Despite complaints from customer service about the length of the uninstallation process, OP removed the software from their computer, only to install it again immediately after—with their new license.

"Two hours later [customer service] had my new software and license installed because I have terrible 3mbps internet," OP wrote.

"All they had to do on their end is just plug in the activation code on my old software to renew it, but no, renewals need a renewal license which costs more than twice as much," OP added. "I'm not paying extra."

Where hardware components are tangible, and the average consumer can touch, feel and hold a piece of hardware, the world of software is entirely different.

And where some users grew accustomed to purchasing a disc containing specific software and installing it to their likely-outdated home computer, advancements over the last two decades have created a more streamlined process.

"There was a time when you bought a CD, you put it in your computer, and that was the end of it. You loaded up software and you were done," Software and Information Industry Association Interim President Christopher Mohr told Newsweek. "Now, software is a service."

Advancements in technology, as well as an increase in how many consumers possess certain technology, has also allowed for easier evolution. While software has always been licensed, the ability to download at home without having to purchase a physical product, like a CD, makes it easier for consumers to access the newest and most-improved versions of the software they know and love.

"There are lots of benefits to that," Mohr said. "One is the addition of new features. The other is consumer protection, in the sense that you get security upgrades and bug fixes."

Protection, however, often comes at a premium and across forums dedicated to software companies like Norton and Quicken, consumers have complained about high renewal costs, as well as the snowball effect that's created by renewing licenses year in and year out.

Throughout the comment section of the viral Reddit post, many Redditors issued similar complaints, largely siding with the original poster.

"Service companies do this a lot," Redditor u/Excidiar wrote. "They setup small nuisances hoping they can charge more to all those that aren't willing to pass through them."

"For $1,800, I would spend all week with their tech to install new," Redditor u/PlasticMix8573 added. "What a stupid price plan. Obviously [they] don't value repeat customers."

"2 hours to save $1,800?" Redditor u/DreadPirateLink chimed in. "Damn good use of time."

In the post's top comment, which has received more than 3,000 upvotes, Redditor u/zephen_just_zephen warned the original post that, although their workaround worked this time, it might not the next.

"If I were in this situation, I'd certainly take it as a heads-up that if I could wean myself off their software during the next year, that would be the prudent course of action," they wrote. "Because next year they might not be so accommodating."

Newsweek reached out to u/StatisticianEast7730 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.