I read on the BBC News website yesterday that Adobe was moving to subscription-based charges for its software and “Creative Cloud” (whatever that means). If you’re in the UK though, it seems like you get stitched up on the pricing compared with the US.
From their website for the US “complete” individual subscription the price is $49.99 per month — about £32.50 at today’s exchange rate. For a UK user the price is £46.88 per month.
On an annual basis that’s about £390 for the US, or £562.56 for the UK, a difference of £172.56. Obviously it costs far more to get those electrons over the Atlantic to UK users than within the USA.
Oh, I forgot. There’s that massive 20GB of storage, too. I can generate more data than that in a single night. What a gimmick.
I can’t work out whether Adobe just think their UK customer base is stupid, or if they just fancy trying to rip us off. Well, Adobe, you’ll be getting no more of my cash. I’d rather donate some money to the GIMP project and use that than help fill the coffers of a company that shows such disrespect for its own customers. Time to get your head out of the Creative Cloud.
Copy of chat from Adobe sales.
You are now chatting with ‘Bruce’ at Adobe Sales.
Bruce: Hi, may I have your first name please?
Jamie: Jamie
Bruce: Hi Jamie.
Bruce: How can I assist you in purchasing Adobe Products today?
Jamie: I’m looking at subscribing to the creative package, but the UK price is nearly 50% more then the USA price and I would like to know why.
Jamie: USA price $49.99 (£31.53) UK price £46.88 that’s a huge difference for the same product.
Bruce: I’ll be glad to help you with that information.
Bruce: Tax laws differ from state to state, and country to country. In most parts of the world, Price of a product varies from country to country depending on its import duty, tax, cess and other local tax regime.
Bruce: .
Bruce: Price of a product varies from country to country depending on its import duty, tax, cess and other local tax regime.
Jamie: Import duty on download content? VAT in UK is 20% so that be around £37.00 a month, still cheaper then buying it in the UK.
Bruce: Price of the software in your country depends on import duty and other factors that is governed by your country information technology & other laws.
Jamie: Can I just buy the USA version on my credit card even though I’mm in the UK.
Bruce: In that case, you would need to have US credit card associated with US billing address?
Bruce: In that case, you would need to have US credit card associated with US billing address.*
Jamie: To stop customers buying it at the cheapest rates?
Bruce: Actually, no, however, since you are from UK you would need to purchase under UK store.
Bruce: Just to confirm, are you a student/teacher?
Jamie: Neither just an annoyed UK customer
Bruce: Okay, just to confirm, do you own any Adobe CS3 and above CS software currently?
Jamie: but the www stands for world wide web! Why can’t I buy it from wherever I choose?
Jamie: I own no adobe products at present, but am tempted by the Creative package. But annoyed that other counties can get it much cheaper.
Bruce: I understand and I agree with you, however, price of the software in your country depends on import duty and other factors that is governed by your country information technology & other laws.
Jamie: I guess that’s the standard answer Adobe have given you. XBOX 1 and new PS 4 much cheaper in the States too. Personally I think adobe are just ripping off non USA consumers. I’ll look at another way of getting the products I desire.
Jamie: Thanks for your time Bruce and as they say ” Have a nice day”.