Hi all,

does anybody know why everything from Adobe cost less then half in US then it does in EU?
On Amazon for example the Production Premium costs 826 dollars but on EU sites of Amazon the Production Premium cost around 2.000 €. That's more than 2.500 dollars! On the Italy Amazon.it the Suite goes for 2.300€!

Anybody? Is there a reason why I shouldn't buy from the US Amazon or any other US store for that matter? Or directly from Adobe?

Thx
Br
S

50% off is worldwide.
discount software | Adobe special offers (http://www.adobe.com/special/offers.html)

But only production premium, not for example the master collection.

50% off is worldwide.
discount software | Adobe special offers (http://www.adobe.com/special/offers.html)

Only if switching from Avid or Final Cut.

Amazon price doesn't say anything about switching...

With regular pricing, the USA Adobe store is about half what we would pay in Australia for the exact same product. I whole-heartedly recommend buying direct from the USA store.

Have the physical package delivered to a friend / forwarding company in the USA and then onwards to yourself.

Andrew

Have the physical package delivered to a friend / forwarding company in the USA and then onwards to yourself.


And there won't be any problems regarding registration? I need the software to be registered to my company. And I would also like my company to buy the suite. If not I can't put it on the expense account of the firm...


With regular pricing, the USA Adobe store is about half what we would pay in Australia for the exact same product.


Yes. This is just outrageous.

The only problem with buying from the US for non-US residents is that foreign credit cards are automatically refused by the Adobe store. I tried to order the MC CS5.5 from the US store and my credit card was refused. I had to get a US based company charge my credit card, order the MC from Adobe US, ship it to a friend, who then shipped it overseas.

Ridiculous and indeed the price difference (at least in my case) was about 100%. I spoke to one of the Adobe people at the IBC about this practice and he told me he knew and would take it up internally.

I wonder if it is even legal to discriminate legitimate buyers based on their country of origin?

I wonder if it is even legal to discriminate legitimate buyers based on their country of origin?

Pharmacutical companies do it all of the time...

Ridiculous and indeed the price difference (at least in my case) was about 100%.

Even more then 100% price difference here! Production premium 820 dollars from Amazon and 2000€ from my local resellers!


I wonder if it is even legal to discriminate legitimate buyers based on their country of origin?

Apparently it is... I don't get it. US folks have a much better life standard then we do, and get all the equipment alot cheaper. I guess that's the thing that raises the standard...

It's really hard to start or even keep going a business here. And this prices aren't helping at all...

Only if switching from Avid or Final Cut.

Amazon price doesn't say anything about switching...
Looks to me Amazon already put in the discount

When upgrading an Adobe product you get the same discount from Adobe.
This special offer ends october 31.

I bought a copy in the USA, registrating is not a problem.

A word of warning, be aware of your own countries import and custom laws. For example in Australia anything with a value over $1,000 is liable to a GST (government sales tax) of 10% and customs duty (0% on Software when I did it). Your parcel will be held by the Customs Department. To get it released you need to fill in numerous forms, have to chase up all the relevent Customs information and code numbers for yourself, supply reciepts and cash conversion as at the time of the purchase. The customs help personnel give no support for any of this and in my case the code number was left out of their official on-line catalogue (which after many phone calls - hours of punching in numbers and being on hold - I finally begged someone to check and was told just to put in the first couple of numbers, which was then refused by the next person up the food chain, and of course you never talk to the same person twice). The other complication is that you have to register as an importer (for yourself) and also register the supplier which includes getting information from them including contact names and phone numbers of their head staff, numerous addresses etc. You also then have to verify your identity and supply relevent documents. As this is all going through a Government Department..., need I say more. Having gone through this once it would have to be a gigantic saving for me to go through it again. Here, under $1,000 you're fine, over that get ready for the frustrations and headaches.

In my experience the credit card was accepted, no problems.

I was able to do my video Production Premium upgrade for $800 USD instead of $1440+ AUD, and being under the $1000 mark I had no issues with GST duty upon import.

I did note at the time that for a couple of hundred dollars more than the Aussie upgrade price I can purchase the full new suite at the American price. That's how obscene it really is when you consider that it's the exact same product.

With my Matrox MXO2 which I purchased through VideoGuys.com (tip of hat to Gary), there was GST payable on it which was calculated / lodged / handled automatically by the UPS freight people. Kind of miffed that customs charges the GST on the value of the purchase and the value of the freight and insurance.

I'd definitely keep my purchases under $1000 wherever possible. :-)

Andrew

The problem is usually import taxes that are levied by countries on a goods brought in from another country, even software sold over the internet but using a company registered to do business locally. Just ask the British, so close to B&H and yet sometimes it feels so far. Another example, in the Philippines, any new hardware you buy is generally 25% higher in price because of import taxes. Just trying shipping something there legally or simply ship it across the border from New York to Canada and watch what happens.

Countries with competitive practices like Hong Kong, Singapore, and yes even the United States, all have nearly similar pricing. But the sheer volume of sales in the U.S. really makes it one of best places to shop bar none.

Whilst there is a comparatively minor tariff on software imports in Australia, I think the biggest issue is that Adobe feels the need to retain their traditional sales channel through Apple dealers and other software retail stores which need to have a 30% profit margin on what they sell. Hence the cost of Adobe software in Australia is higher in order to cover this.

Well, that's my theory on it. :-)

Andrew

Now I'm really confused...is the promotional price only when switching or is it a general discount?

The promotional price is for those who are switching away from Final Cut Pro.

Andrew

An Adobe software owner who wants to upgrade can also benifit.
http://store.adobe.com/store/en_us/popup/offer/save50_off_pr_pp.html

The promotional price is for those who are switching away from Final Cut Pro.

Andrew

However you are not required to provide any proof that you actually own Final Cut Pro or Avid, so really its open to anyone.

I was wondering about that (eligibility requirement enforcement) but was hesitant to say as I haven't 'been there'.

Maybe someone at Adobe marketing has a sense of humor? :-)

Andrew

However you are not required to provide any proof that you actually own Final Cut Pro or Avid, so really its open to anyone.

Really? So if I go to my local reseller and say I want to buy the suite at the promotional "switch" price they won't ask me for proof? I kinda doubt it... Would be nice though...

The promotional price is for those who are switching away from Final Cut Pro.

Andrew

Except they never asked for any proof that I own a copy of FCP (I do) when I switched. So as long as you have the code it appears to be open to anyone.

I'm not surprised in a way. Just as we have to wait for a while for the downloadable trial versions to come out, it would also take them a fair bit of time (and away from programming the wonder-features for CS6) to create and manufacture a specific version that asked for proof of FCP ownership upon install.

Especially with the speed at which Adobe offered the 'switch' discount to disaffected FCP owners. There simply wouldn't have been the time.

Andrew

it would also take them a fair bit of time to create and manufacture a specific version that asked for proof of FCP ownership upon install.

Yes, off course. But it's the reseller who should ask for proof of FCP/Avid ownership in the first place not the program. And this is what I am having a hard time believing. I'll try this in the next week. I'll ask my local reseller for the switch promotion and see if they ask for proof of ownership or something... I doubt that they would just hand the suite with 50% discount without me handing them some proof of Avid/FCP ownership.

Yes, off course. But it's the reseller who should ask for proof of FCP/Avid ownership in the first place not the program. And this is what I am having a hard time believing. I'll try this in the next week. I'll ask my local reseller for the switch promotion and see if they ask for proof of ownership or something... I doubt that they would just hand the suite with 50% discount without me handing them some proof of Avid/FCP ownership.

They just want the code. You can buy it online and I can assure you they are not asking for you to prove you have a copy of FCP or Avid by sending in photos of you sitting at your workstation holding your old disks.

They just want the code. You can buy it online...

What code? The serial? It can be bought on line?

Yes, off course. But it's the reseller who should ask for proof of FCP/Avid ownership in the first place not the program. And this is what I am having a hard time believing. I'll try this in the next week. I'll ask my local reseller for the switch promotion and see if they ask for proof of ownership or something... I doubt that they would just hand the suite with 50% discount without me handing them some proof of Avid/FCP ownership.

You buy it online from Adobe. Even if you prefer physical DVD's, you still do this through Adobe and they send you the disks.

I have no idea what the arrangements for resellers are, but it's 2011 and frankly buying software through a third party is pointless unless they have some special offer.

I tried to go the Adobe store and proceeded to checkout where one must type in the code. If I understand it correctly all that you have to do is to type in "SWITCH" and that's it. Didn't see no requests for a product serial or anything.

Has anybody done this? Does the request come at a later time?

That is all they want. The promotional code is SWITCH.

I tried to go the Adobe store and proceeded to checkout where one must type in the code. If I understand it correctly all that you have to do is to type in "SWITCH" and that's it. Didn't see no requests for a product serial or anything.

Has anybody done this? Does the request come at a later time?

I refer you to post number 21. All you need is the promotional code which is SWITCH. They have done no checking with me.

I bought it from videoguys and also got a 5% discount on top of the sale price for being a DVinfo member.
Videoguys.com - Now In Stock (http://www.videoguys.com/Specials/Now+In+Stock.aspx)

The secret is that it is a promotional thing, I think any body can get the discount.
Dan

Just be on the look out for men in dark suits, okay?

Andrew :-P

I refer you to post number 21. All you need is the promotional code which is SWITCH. They have done no checking with me.

I bought it from videoguys and also got a 5% discount on top of the sale price for being a DVinfo member.
Videoguys.com - Now In Stock (http://www.videoguys.com/Specials/Now+In+Stock.aspx)

The secret is that it is a promotional thing, I think any body can get the discount.
Dan

Great guys! Thanks for the info!:)

It's what I was getting at to. Thank you for confirming it...

anyone think adobe will continue the "switch" promo past september 30th?

be well

rob
smalltalk productions

I don't think so. I think the reason they are doing it is to get Final Cut users to come to there side.

Dan

anyone think adobe will continue the "switch" promo past september 30th?


I doubt it...so its decision time (I might be wrong!)

I bought CS 5.5 Production Premium last week but alas have not had time to really try it out yet, due to edit deadlines with existing FCS2 projects (other than Photoshop - since I used PS Elements all the time - so its great to have the full version now).

Looking forward to Audition (Soundtrack Pro was often too clunky for me) and especially AE. From what I've read/seen the transition from FCP to PPro should be relatively painless - I hope!

By their own admission Apple's many necessary "fixes" for FCPX are going to be many months or perhaps even years away (if ever...?) so I'd rather go with a company that is totally committed to video professionals whilst the pricing is attainable.

I don't think so. I think the reason they are doing it is to get Final Cut users to come to there side.

Dan

As I understand it the offer ends on October 30 not September. See the terms and conditions: Terms and conditions (http://store.adobe.com/store/en_us/popup/offer/save50_off_pr_pp.html)

That's news to me as everything I'd seen previously had 30th Sep as the cut-off date for AVID and FCS switchers. Cool!

As I understand it the offer ends on October 30 not September. See the terms and conditions: Terms and conditions (http://store.adobe.com/store/en_us/popup/offer/save50_off_pr_pp.html)

sanjin-

thank you for the link.

now i can wait till october 29th to decide!

be well

rob
smalltalk productions

Rob,

I talked to Video Guys today and he said they are only running the special till Friday. I would buy from them you get a bunch of other stuff on top of the suit. This is the package I got it is unbelievable all you get, plus a DVinfo 5% on top of the sale. Videoguys.com - Search for "CS55PPSWBD" (http://www.videoguys.com/Search/Search.aspx?Query=CS55PPSWBD)

Dan

These guys are advertising CS5.5 for £419

Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 - PC - download [65107641] - £419.20 : MadRiverShops.com (http://uk.madrivershops.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18)

You download the trial and then purchase the ulocking serial number off them

I'm sort of tempted if it's legitimate

Anyone had experience of them?

You do know that's just Premiere don't you. So not the bargain you may think it is. It is not the CS5.5 suite, just one part of it.

i teach at a major us university.

adobe has a academic discount for teachers and students.

i am looking at the "switcher" promo price of $850 for adobe's cs production premium 5.5 switcher for mac here:

Videoguys.com - Search for "CS55PPSW" (http://www.videoguys.com/Search/Search.aspx?Query=CS55PPSW&Page=1&SortBy=3)

but the academic discount is $449 for the same cs production premium 5.5 here:

https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/index.cfm?&store=OLS-EDU&view=ols_cat&catType=TEACHERS&catID=TEACHERS#view=ols_prod&loc=en_us&store=OLS-EDU&category=/Applications/ProductionPremiumSTE

as i understand, there is no difference between the academic and the non-academic versions of cs production premium 5.5:

What’s the Difference on Adobe CS5.5 Student Editions vs. Regular? | ProDesignTools (http://prodesigntools.com/difference-between-adobe-cs5-student-editions-vs-regular.html)

as i understand adobe's policy, there are no free upgrades attached to the academic version.

but the academic version can be upgraded upon purchasing a commercial upgrade which is often less than buying the full coast of the program.

anyone w/a reason i should not buy the academic version of cs production premium 5.5?

thanks in advance.

be well

rob
smalltalk productions

Where do you plan to use the academic version? If it's for your business you should know that your firm won't be able to purchase nor will you be able to register you firm as the owner. Maybe you will be able to register but it wouldn't be legal...

Hey,

does anybody know if there would be problems if we would buy Adobe from US to use in EU? Could we register the product on our workstations here in EU?

Some places I've read that you can't register a US version to a EU residence and some places I've read that you can... Really confusing and can't seem to get an answer.

I've never had that problem here in Australia. I really don't think it's going to be an issue for you.

At worst, register it to an address in the USA. In the end you still have your legal copy of the software.

Andrew

At worst, register it to an address in the USA. In the end you still have your legal copy of the software.

Andrew

That's just it. It needs to be registered to the companies address not some other foreign address:)

Just a reminder that I believe tomorrow is the last day of Adobe's half price SWITCH pricing for CS5.5 Production Premium.

As it happens I bought CS 5.5 Production Premium for my Mac Pro just over a month ago but have been so busy with clients existing FCS2 projects I've not had time to look at PremPro - until tonight! In the last month I've watched a few of the Adobe TV video online tutorials - but that's been it.

Well, tonight in just 2 hours I had thrown 1080p25 XDCAM EX3, Canon 7D 1080p25 H.264 and Panasonic TM900 1080p50 AVCHD2 clips and some still pics into a timeline, done some very basic editing/keyframing/motion tracking etc., added a soundtrack and had a good look around. The 2nd hour was really just trying various settings in Media Encoder and watching for the quality differences in the 10 versions I'd rendered out. I love the way you can use Bridge to preview media too when deciding what to bring into the project bin. Man, renders are really, really fast on this 8 core Mac Pro! It seems amazingly intuitive for a FCS2 user although there are still lots of things I haven't worked out yet... obviously! I've seen things I already prefer compared to FCP and a few things which are perhaps more clunky - but that might just be that I have not sussed it out properly yet.

So for all you FCS2&3 users sitting on the fence worried about the learning curve, my advice is don't worry! One other thing I found out today is that you can install a copy of CS 5.5 on a laptop too (i.e. like FCS which allowed one desktop and one laptop installation). So my MBP might see it very soon.

Sure you'll all read posts from me on here in the coming weeks and months as I try and work out even some simple things (or so it will seem to you seasoned PPro users, no doubt!) but my immediate impressions are extremely encouraging. I suspect I'll be up to speed for commercial work with CS 5.5 faster than I had dared hope. It's a good start. Can't wait to try Audition, AE etc...

Just a quick update on this. After several more weeks of solid work on existing FCP projects, I finally got some time to really try out Prod Premium CS5.5 last week and within 24 hrs I finished my first commercial project using it (XDCAM EX1 footage - not shot by me - being delivered to the client soon). I'm now also well on my way in editing a much more complex project using 1080p50 AVCHD2 files out of my Panasonic TM900 (which I shot over a few days a while back at an exhibition in the SECC in Glasgow).

It's been a joy. Everything works so well (and so FAST!) and no matter what kind of footage I throw at the timeline, it just handles it with ease.

I've rarely had to scratch my head for more than a few minutes trying to work out how to do things (that are otherwise easily accomplished when I use FCS2 on this Mac Pro - or indeed Vegas on my Windows 7 i7 box). It's clear to me that (within days, certainly within a couple of weeks) I'll be able to work so much faster with this NLE. Already, of the 3 NLE's in my editing bay, Prod Premium CS5.5 is definitely my favourite. Round tripping with AE works faultlessly (but I've not even scratched the surface of AE's capabilities yet!). Best thing I've spent money on for my business all year. It's great to see all 8 cores on this Mac Pro (and all the RAM I have) being used - at last!! :-)

Ooh. I know that feeling.

It always satisfying to see each and every core on a hyper-threaded hex-core i7 being flogged at maximum capacity. It also feels good to software render an hour of video to mpeg2 for DVD in just 6 minutes.

Andrew