Comments on: Bento: Databases for the rest of us

By: jackchgo

jackchgo — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:53:48 +0000

I stand corrected if the Rebate actually worked without red tape. My question then becomes why would Bento use a marketing strategy with the kind of baggage that a “rebate” implies? My dealings with Bento in the past, and the lack of basic usefulness of the software, had already hardened me to the product, then when I saw “Rebate”, that was the clincher that pushed me over the edge into looking for alternative products. We are still begrudgingly using FileMakerPro until a more intuitive database management system comes along. I am afraid that the computer software business will continue to evolve at a snails pace as the Software Giants continue to define the landscape. Once a new paradigm is begun along the lines of the Apple App Store, for the generation of software for computers, then we can hope to see some real competition in this industry again.

By: RK

RK — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:18:37 +0000

Thank you Milind, Please note my email ID, apart from trial, I would most probably buy one

By: Bob D

Bob D — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:18:12 +0000

When FileMaker refunds me the money for the discount I SHOULD have had for upgrading version 1 to 2, I will consier buying future versions of Bento again. Bad customer service has consequences.

By: Milind Alvares

Milind Alvares — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:50:03 +0000

@RK: I’ll take it up with their PR and contact you via email. We get a direct link; one I’m not allowed to share.

By: RK

RK — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:26:13 +0000

The trial download link which was emailed does not go any where.
While trying to purchase online; India is not listed in the country list.
How did you manage getting the trial version ?

By: D9

D9 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:09:25 +0000

Depends on your definition of rebate. My $20 “rebate” came off instantly when I purchased the software from FileMaker’s online store…I paid a flat $30 for Bento 3. No forms, no mail-ins, no paperwork.

For me, that’s the definition of a discount.

By: jackchgo

jackchgo — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:40:19 +0000

A rebate is no discount. It is a marketing scam that should be a red flag for any saavy shopper who knows better than to fall for it.

By: D9

D9 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:14:00 +0000

Great article and completely agree with your assessment on Bento.

One thing I’d like to add is the recent change in policy by FileMaker towards Bento and its pricing. As an owner of the original Bento 1 and then Bento 2, I like many who bought it were disappointed in bugs and obvious missing features. Still that was no comparison to the anger of FileMaker’s policy of having Bento 1 users pay full price to acquire Bento 2, if simply to get the bug fixes needed.

FileMaker’s justification was that the program was “only” $50 and priced to be fully replaced upon new versions; in line with the thinking by Apple with iLife and iWork. But as anyone whose tried all those apps knows, Bento is no iLife or iWork.

I’m happy to now say FileMaker obviously heard the users complaints because they now offer a $20 discount on Bento 3 for Bento 1 & 2 owners. A nice change in policy…especially when your consider that Bento 3 has had a greater upgrade in features than 2 did.