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Here's how I deal with users who steal

pud.com

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Re: Here's how I deal with users who steal

#131

Post by pseut »

fijal wrote: post #127
chm wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My little finger tells me you would have received less calls if the company sold video games, or pornography, for example.

I for one would like to see a study that shows that people who read bible are more moral than people who don't read bible (or people who play video games). In my anecdotal evidence, there is no real correlation, but hey, science.

This was software aimed at people seriously studying the bible with a reminder that would come up when they're reflecting on their religion. And you think that's irrelevant?

They've already pirated the software so it's not morality, it's guilt.

Re: Here's how I deal with users who steal

#132

Post by TeMPOraL »

fijal wrote: post #127
chm wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My little finger tells me you would have received less calls if the company sold video games, or pornography, for example.

I for one would like to see a study that shows that people who read bible are more moral than people who don't read bible (or people who play video games). In my anecdotal evidence, there is no real correlation, but hey, science.

In my anecdotal evidence there's actually huge, but hey, that's exactly what we have science for.

Re: Here's how I deal with users who steal

#134

Post by chmike »

This reminds me of Les Misérables of Victor Hugo published 1862. Jean Valjean stole silvers goods from a priest but was caught by the police. Brought back in front of the Priest with the goods he stole, the Priest said that he gave them to him and that he also forgot the silver candelabra. The Priest than gave them to him. It was the first time Jean Valjean met a good man and this was a shock to him which changed all his life as you can read through the story.

Re: Here's how I deal with users who steal

#135

Post by IanCal »

jacalata wrote: post #126
e12e wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There could be legal issues with that. Might be fine as an option (either pay up-front, or buy "on credit") -- but it complicates the legal relationship somewhat -- did someone pay you for a service? Are they your customer? What happens when they demand a refund, but have only had 10$ paid out? I can understand wanting to keep hands off the royalties and sell the service as a separate product. I agree it might be an…

Maybe not actually take it automatically, but pop up another little reminder once they get $20 out of it - "you've now made enough through our service to pay our regular fee! Would you like to pay us now? Upgrade to paid | Sorry, still can't afford it"

"You said you couldn't afford the $20, you're currently making $80 a year through our service. Can you afford to pay the price all our other customers are paying?"

Re: Here's how I deal with users who steal

#138

Post by tehwalrus »

jackweirdy wrote: post #20
nostromo wrote: post #8

Interesting that the "scholarship" (free) plan isn't mentioned on the homepage. It seems you have to try and steal the product before being offered the free plan. I also like the subtle dig, "if you can't afford it." I've certainly pirated things myself. If iTunes asked me, "We noticed you've pirated The Walking Dead. If you can't afford $3, click here to get it for free." By reframing it as charity I might be shamed…

RE no homepage mention of it: I suspect there are those who would try to get it for free, regardless of how much it costs. It's probably more successful in converting those who wouldn't have paid in the first place - IE by reminding them that they've been "caught out". Having said that, no homepage mention may be turning away the honest users who might genuinely be unable to afford it. Only offering a discount to tho…

Many people will cheat until they think someone can see them, and then stop[1]. By just reminding people that someone is watching, you'll vastly increase the proportion of people who pay.

I think this is the best way to combat hidden "just data-copying" computer crimes - because people think they can't be seen while doing them, they just need to be shown that someone can see and they'll stop. (This should work on all but the small fraction of people who will steal whatever you do - again, see [1]!)

[1] "The honest truth about dishonesty", Dan Ariely http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0007477333

Re: Here's how I deal with users who steal

#140

Post by robmcm »

Why not offer a plan that takes the money after they start getting paid. You could take the full amount before they start getting paid, or take a percentage cut of each payment.

In order to make it fair to the people that stump up the cash first you could also charge them slightly more.

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