9 replies to this topic

[nony]

Hi guys,

Love the MD2 skin. Bought Thesis yesterday so I can use MD2 with it.

Today I went to buy the skin, but the upsells are disappointing. The PSD files for $17 I totally understand, and I think it's worth it. But the Attribution Link removal for $25? That's not right.

So if I don't pay for the Attribution Link removal I'll have to have "Copyright 2012 Kolakube.com" on my site? You can't expect a business to operate with someone else's copyright link at the bottom of their site. I've never seen this type of upsell before. Not StudioPress, not Woothemes, not any other theme I've ever purchased.

I think you guys should consider getting rid of this restriction. How much could it possibly be bringing in? Given the negative reaction I doubt it's worth it.

[Sean Davis]

The site copyright would still belong to you. The attribution link is the Marketer's Delight graphic in the bottom right... just like the Thesis attribution... or any other attribution in the industry. http://cl.ly/3c3W2v101o0M0N3O1E0d

Here's a screenshot of your standard MD2 footer options: http://cl.ly/0z3k110b1B0C0n2r2u2c

[nony]

Now I get it. That makes a lot more sense.

It was the word "copyright" in the graphic in the shopping cart that confused me. It says "Remove the Kolakube copyright link at the bottom..."

Thanks for the response.

[thinkmedia]

Hmm, I was interested in this skin but no other theme I have purchased charges an UpSell to remove the attribution.
I have purchased a dozen themes from other vendors all in the $30 to $60 price range and none of them force the attribution nor charge to remove it.
Thesis doesn't charge to remove their attribution.
I pay for the Framework and that is it.
I pay for a theme, and that is it.

Unfortunate as it pretty much rules your themes out.

[Sean Davis]

That's not true.

Here's where Thesis tells you clearly that you have to leave the attribution link in place or pay ~ $80 more for a developer's license... at which point you are allowed to remove the attribution: http://diythemes.com...stomize-footer/

As for the skin attribution link, that's a business decision. So charge and some don't. We're sorry if that turns you off for the skins.

[thinkmedia]

Yes, and I do have the Dev License with Thesis.
Why not offer your theme for $55 with attribution and $79 without.
You would sell a ton of $50 versions which would in turn create more awareness for your product.
And for those who can't have that attribution showing (for a client) then they can pay the $79

Everyone wins.

[Alex Mangini]

We believe everyone is already winning. Think about it like this:

Rather than paying thousands, or even pay high in the hundreds for a custom design when you can mix Thesis with one of our skins together? You're not only saving money, but your're getting a site that looks great and opens the doors to a world of customizations.

And in all honesty, buying the attribution removal loses you money anyway. We have an affiliate program, and if people see your site and like it, they'll almost always go to the footer to see what your site was designed with. You can easily swap your affiliate link in, and start making money just by using our skins.

Just a few thoughts, I appreciate the suggestions!

[ortonom]

I love MD3 and respect you a great deal Alex. However, I strongly disagree with your position on this...

What if I were to tell you that you can get your backlinks and sales without making your professional website builders customer-based feel slighted?

Well, you can!

Why do you think professional website builders care about the attribution link?

You are stealing there thunder!

They want people to look at their clients site and contact them to build one just like it.

The potential of a few bucks in affiliate commissions is neglible when compared to disclosing their secret sauce (MD3) to both the client and the world at large.

This is why you need a developers option on the front-end. This fixes the problem of discloure moving forward.

For your current customers, I would offer a patch that:

1) Changes the wording from Designed by Marketers Delight to Theme by, and makes the text the same size as Thesis.
2) Adds a Built by YOUR NAME HERE section above the Theme by for them to put in their name.

They get that and the option to buy the removal link. Remember, they bought without knowing about the attribution link... which is large, bold and presents a conflict of interest.

So I feel you should give them a free viable option, as stated above in 1 and 2.

[shools23]

I'm glad I read this thread before buying. I was literally about to buy 5 minutes ago until I learned of this bad business decision. You just lost another sale due to 1) not disclosing that info pre-sale and 2) forcing an upcharge in the first place for attribution removal. You may want to re-think this. Just sayin.

[Alex Mangini]

Believe me, this is changing in the near future.