Ever Questioned The Price of an iPhone App? Then You're a Whining Moron

[patrickj]

That's the title of a post I wrote tonight at my blog site. It is NOT my view on the subject at all, but apparently it is how some devs think on this subject.

Anyway, I feel pretty strongly about this subject - despite the app in question being just $3 - and would like to hear some of your views on it. My post is at:

http://justanotheriphoneblog.com/wordpress/iphone-app-store/ever-questioned-the-price-of-an-iphone-app-then-youre-a-whining-moron/

[JWiPhone]

I read about this earlier today. I don't understand their logic raising it to $40 in protest, especially in this economy. All they will end up doing is alienating their potential customer base. No way will anyone purchase that for $40. I noticed they are only keeping that price for Alchemize for the weekend. and then it goes back to $2.99.

[BrownGem]

I can understand the dev's frustration. Apps were way more expensive on other devices before the App store came along. I am not sure he chose the best method for dealing with the issue as his response could alienate those who had never written an email. If people are buying the app who cares about the whiners..really.

[acosmichippo]

How cute. The world is full of *******s.

Ever think the culprit is not the people complaining, but your fellow developers?

[Youngbinks]

This definitely seems like a great way to get people to buy your products. A++ for great planning.

[KevinJD]

I think the whole thing is outta line. People have a right to their opinions. If they think an app is overpriced after they have already purchased it, fine. If they think it's overpriced before they purchase it, then they can excercise their freedom not to purchase it. To go a little off-topic...the thing that gets to me is the people that cry in their reviews because the price dropped after they purchased, and then they give the app a low rating because of this. Grow up people...things go on sale, prices drop, get over it!

[acosmichippo]

Exactly. It's condescending as hell.

[jarofclay73]

I guess Schiau Studios is getting out of the Apple App Store business. Maybe it should make an Android app or Palm App.

[jarofclay73]

After looking into this a little bit, I think Schiau Studios is only trying to drum up publicity for its charity campaign (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?threadid=28747) starting tomorrow:

Starting Monday Oct. 12th, 2009 we will give away 33% (from the original price tag of $2.99) of the sales to Ioana Costea, a 19year old girl who is asking for the chance to live (her blog for more details at http://bit.ly/Jonvn (http://bit.ly/Jonvn)), as part of our charity program.
NOW, it is time to do something that really matters!


I don't think that part of it is getting into the articles though. As much as this developer wants to do GOOD, I think a lot of it is misguided.

I do think that there are many whiny people on the App Store. But, I think Schiau handled it terribly, at best.

I might actually buy the game tomorrow to help that girl, but I'll leave a really mean comment in my app store review.

[patrickj]

After looking into this a little bit, I think Schiau Studios is only trying to drum up publicity for its charity campaign (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?threadid=28747) starting tomorrow:



I don't think that part of it is getting into the articles though. As much as this developer wants to do GOOD, I think a lot of it is misguided.

I do think that there are many whiny people on the App Store. But, I think Schiau handled it terribly, at best.

I might actually buy the game tomorrow to help that girl, but I'll leave a really mean comment in my app store review.

NONE of that about any charity campaign was in their original forum post about the 'protest' pricing. It was also not mentioned in any of their tweets about this yesterday or last night. I think saying that was their real motivation now seems like BS.

[jarofclay73]

NONE of that about any charity campaign was in their original forum post about the 'protest' pricing. It was also not mentioned in any of their tweets about this yesterday or last night. I think saying that was their real motivation now seems like BS.

You're right. The post was "fixed" this morning.

I just find it odd that on the day the app goes back to $2.99 that the dev is now shelling out money (the money it believes is owed to its game) to a Romanian girl.

[patrickj]

You're right. The post was "fixed" this morning.

I just find it odd that on the day the app goes back to $2.99 that the dev is now shelling out money (the money it believes is owed to its game) to a Romanian girl.

I don't think it's odd, I think it's crap. As I said, their original forum post on the subject made zero mention of that, none of their tweets did either, and they happily retweeted a Cult of Mac post that proudly focused on the 'whining moron customers' angle for the protest.

Changing it all up now is a clumsy retreat.

[jarofclay73]

I just tweeted @schiaustudios and the official response is that the price protest and the Ioana Charity Fund is entirely separate. Anyone who bought Alchemize at $39.99, $37 of those dollars will go to Ioana.

Thanks again patrickj for setting me straight. :ok:ok

[patrickj]

I just tweeted @schiaustudios and the official response is that the price protest and the Ioana Charity Fund is entirely separate. Anyone who bought Alchemize at $39.99, $37 of those dollars will go to Ioana.

Thanks again patrickj for setting me straight. :ok:ok

Thanks for the info.

[acosmichippo]

I might actually buy the game tomorrow to help that girl, but I'll leave a really mean comment in my app store review.

or you could donate all $3 to he girl and cut the jackasses out of the equation.

[jarofclay73]

or you could donate all $3 to he girl and cut the jackasses out of the equation.

I'm not sure how to do that.

[styfle]

LOL why would people email the developer to complain about price? That's almost funny. That would be like emailing Apple telling them the iPod is too expensive.

[garykirsten63]

In my point of view, iphone applications are too costly. The price should be reduced anyhow. We people would highly appreciate and like to use more and more applications if it can be available in affordable price.