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Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by WillyOD
Once again, another sale that ends of the last day of the month. Once again I get paid on the 1st of June. I've mentioned this to Reason Studios over the years, and IIRC someone from the company acknowledged this. But... nothing has actually changed since my last post, which was probably over a year ago.

I understand this one is called May Madness but would anyone actually be mad if the sale was available for one more day and during the 1st of June?

I just don't understand these business decisions. Am I being unreasonable, why do I feel like an a-hole even for asking this AGAIN?

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by Loque
Just think of all the ppl which save some money and can buy food and toys for their children!

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by dvdrtldg
There are these things called credit cards, they're super convenient and you should check them out

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by Enlightenspeed
WillyOD wrote:
28 May 2021
Once again, another sale that ends of the last day of the month. Once again I get paid on the 1st of June. I've mentioned this to Reason Studios over the years, and IIRC someone from the company acknowledged this. But... nothing has actually changed since my last post, which was probably over a year ago.

I understand this one is called May Madness but would anyone actually be mad if the sale was available for one more day and during the 1st of June?

I just don't understand these business decisions. Am I being unreasonable, why do I feel like an a-hole even for asking this AGAIN?
For the most part it's at the discretion of the individual developer.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by EdGrip
Maybe write "May Madness" in your calendar on May 1st next year so remember not to spend all your money when you get paid?
Actually your calendar should already have "May" written at the top of May, so you'll only need to write "Madness" after it.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by DaveyG
WillyOD wrote:
28 May 2021
Once again, another sale that ends of the last day of the month. Once again I get paid on the 1st of June. I've mentioned this to Reason Studios over the years, and IIRC someone from the company acknowledged this. But... nothing has actually changed since my last post, which was probably over a year ago.

I understand this one is called May Madness but would anyone actually be mad if the sale was available for one more day and during the 1st of June?

I just don't understand these business decisions. Am I being unreasonable, why do I feel like an a-hole even for asking this AGAIN?
Mate, it's your choice but if you are so strapped for cash that you have to wait for pay day then maybe you should be putting some money aside for unexpected expenses rather than splashing it on extra REs.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by Burton
WillyOD wrote:
28 May 2021
Once again, another sale that ends of the last day of the month. Once again I get paid on the 1st of June. I've mentioned this to Reason Studios over the years, and IIRC someone from the company acknowledged this. But... nothing has actually changed since my last post, which was probably over a year ago.

I understand this one is called May Madness but would anyone actually be mad if the sale was available for one more day and during the 1st of June?

I just don't understand these business decisions. Am I being unreasonable, why do I feel like an a-hole even for asking this AGAIN?
Well, marketing has its own chips. They create excitement so that people try to buy faster, even if they don't really need the thing. Reducing the duration of the promotion increases the chance of spontaneous purchases.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by Zac
dvdrtldg wrote:
28 May 2021
There are these things called credit cards, they're super convenient and you should check them out
Yeah, don't do that. Debt traps.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by WillyOD
I'm talking about one day. Who'll notice? But whatever, I'll write a mental note to myself never to ask anything here again. Thanks.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by EdwardKiy
WillyOD wrote:
28 May 2021
I'm talking about one day. Who'll notice? But whatever, I'll write a mental note to myself never to ask anything here again. Thanks.
delete that note :) your request makes perfect sense and it is a free gift to the company's marketing team. You're doing their job for them at this point. Buying food and toys for children is meh... who cares, children are overrated and they won't appreciate it anyway. And taking credit money from a bank to buy software on sale has got to be one of the worst suggestions I've heard in my life. Had a jolly good laugh.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by guitfnky
credit cards are horrible ways to purchase, unless you pay your balance off every time.

which is why, in this case, it sounds like it’s actually a good suggestion. the OP implied they’d buy on the first, when they get paid, which means it’s a cash-on-hand problem, not an “I can’t afford it” problem.

if you’ve got credit, buy your software today with your card, and when you get paid on Tuesday, pay the balance.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by PhillipOrdonez
And you get points for purchases. They are fantastic as long as you pay them off every month.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by orthodox
I wish I could disable overdraft on my card. What if I get hacked? It's bad when you're robbed of what you have, much worse is when you're robbed of what you have never had and now you owe it to the bank.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by guitfnky
PhillipOrdonez wrote:
28 May 2021
And you get points for purchases. They are fantastic as long as you pay them off every month.
👍🏼 great point. I do this with my Amazon card. I buy some necessities with it and pay it off every month, which gets me a few bucks back to shop with. and it keeps my credit score/history in good territory.

credit is super useful, but it’s *really* easy to get it wrong, especially when you’re young and have expensive hobbies (see the first 15 years of my credit history for reference 🥲)

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by dvdrtldg
guitfnky wrote:
28 May 2021
if you’ve got credit, buy your software today with your card, and when you get paid on Tuesday, pay the balance.
Exactly. That way the bank gets nothing. Then cut up your card & close your account if you don't trust yourself

I've done that a couple of times - taken advantage of crazy deals for new credit card customers, then destroyed the card. One time a department store in my city was offering $100 cash for anyone signing up for one of their credit cards & then spending $100 in store. They were also having a sale at the time, and I needed some clothes. Got the card, spent $100 on clothes, got my $100 reward, immediately paid off the balance, cut up the card, closed the account. My partner did the same thing. Then we wondered if maybe we might get away with doing it again. Which we did, no problem. Total: $400 worth of clothes at sale price - which we needed - for free. Thanks, credit card company

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by EdwardKiy
okay okay, although that one sounded like a christmas miracle, I guess you can theoretically use a credit card to your advantage. Never worked out well for me, though.


Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by MannequinRaces
WillyOD wrote:
28 May 2021
Once again, another sale that ends of the last day of the month. Once again I get paid on the 1st of June. I've mentioned this to Reason Studios over the years, and IIRC someone from the company acknowledged this. But... nothing has actually changed since my last post, which was probably over a year ago.

I understand this one is called May Madness but would anyone actually be mad if the sale was available for one more day and during the 1st of June?

I just don't understand these business decisions. Am I being unreasonable, why do I feel like an a-hole even for asking this AGAIN?
Yes you’re being unreasonable. Learn to budget your money.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 28 May 2021
by integerpoet
orthodox wrote:
28 May 2021
I wish I could disable overdraft on my card. What if I get hacked? It's bad when you're robbed of what you have, much worse is when you're robbed of what you have never had and now you owe it to the bank.
That sounds like a debit card. Avoid those for precisely the reasons you mention unless you have an exceptionally good bank/card, which it sounds like you do not.

Credit card companies are generally good about reversing fraudulent charges, but read the fine print just in case. Credit cards can get you into trouble if you can't be confident about being able to pay them off completely every month, so think hard about that before jumping. Shop around; there are tons of cards with very different terms.

Also, it's worth the effort to eliminate any account from your life which has an overdraft fee. Banks can disable overdraft and simply refuse charges instead if they want to. They don't want to; they want to charge you overdraft fees. That's why they invented overdraft; it's not as if overdraft is some unavoidable side effect of complicated finance folderol; it is simply as stupid as it seems. But if you firmly but politely inform your bank you are prepared to take your business elsewhere if they won't switch your account over to refusing charges rather than charging you overdraft fees, they might well do it! And if they don't then do actually take your business elsewhere. (Overdraft fees are a blight on society and should be illegal; they are only somewhat less scammy than payday loans.)

Also consider using credit unions rather than banks. They are generally more account-holder-friendly and there are no significant downsides for most people. Ask a typical credit union about overdraft fees and they might well say something along the lines of "What? Why would we… Is that what you want?" And then try to talk you out of it if they even offer the "service" at all.

WHY DO I KNOW ALL THIS STUFF I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I KNEW OH GOD I GOT OLD

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 29 May 2021
by Gardinski
Zac wrote:
28 May 2021
dvdrtldg wrote:
28 May 2021
There are these things called credit cards, they're super convenient and you should check them out
Yeah, don't do that. Debt traps.
Ah, come on. That's what they said about selling your kidneys. You can always grow another one!

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 29 May 2021
by orthodox
integerpoet wrote:
28 May 2021
orthodox wrote:
28 May 2021
I wish I could disable overdraft on my card. What if I get hacked? It's bad when you're robbed of what you have, much worse is when you're robbed of what you have never had and now you owe it to the bank.
That sounds like a debit card. Avoid those for precisely the reasons you mention unless you have an exceptionally good bank/card, which it sounds like you do not.

Credit card companies are generally good about reversing fraudulent charges, but read the fine print just in case. Credit cards can get you into trouble if you can't be confident about being able to pay them off completely every month, so think hard about that before jumping. Shop around; there are tons of cards with very different terms.

Also, it's worth the effort to eliminate any account from your life which has an overdraft fee. Banks can disable overdraft and simply refuse charges instead if they want to. They don't want to; they want to charge you overdraft fees. That's why they invented overdraft; it's not as if overdraft is some unavoidable side effect of complicated finance folderol; it is simply as stupid as it seems. But if you firmly but politely inform your bank you are prepared to take your business elsewhere if they won't switch your account over to refusing charges rather than charging you overdraft fees, they might well do it! And if they don't then do actually take your business elsewhere. (Overdraft fees are a blight on society and should be illegal; they are only somewhat less scammy than payday loans.)

Also consider using credit unions rather than banks. They are generally more account-holder-friendly and there are no significant downsides for most people. Ask a typical credit union about overdraft fees and they might well say something along the lines of "What? Why would we… Is that what you want?" And then try to talk you out of it if they even offer the "service" at all.

WHY DO I KNOW ALL THIS STUFF I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I KNEW OH GOD I GOT OLD
Yes, it's a debit card issued to my company. And yes it's an exceptionally good bank (compared to others in regard to commissions and exchange rates), which I would not like to leave. In case of "technical" overdraft they charge 3% of the debt per month, and I have 5 days to pay it off before fines begin.
I don't blame banks for that. As I understand, technical overdraft results from simplifying the transaction processing so that it doesn't involve charging the card account and other sort of distribution.
Anyways, the problem is similar to that of a credit card (which I don't use at all) if you don't have a regular income. By using the money you don't have at the moment, you are taking a risk.

Re: Sales extension 'til the first of next month?

Posted: 29 May 2021
by integerpoet
orthodox wrote:
29 May 2021
Yes, it's a debit card issued to my company… As I understand, technical overdraft results from simplifying the transaction processing so that it doesn't involve charging the card account and other sort of distribution…
If it's a card issued to a business, then I plead ignorance. :-) But at least from a personal finance perspective overdraft is basically a scam. Nobody means to spend 38 cents more than they have in their account but banks will gleefully charge a 25 dollar fee for providing that "service" as if the 38 cents were a corresponding hardship on them. It's basically a regressive private tax on the poor and it — as you might have guessed — enrages me enough that I post long messages extolling the virtues of credit unions. :-)