Money gouging / bait & switch tactics

from Stardock Forums

I was happily running Fences 2.1x versions on several computers of mine (one is father's PC).
Then I updated my laptop Fences to latest 2.13 version and it suddenly decided it is NOT activated, saying I am using the license on another PC, and switched back to Trial mode for 30 days! When those run out, it now works in read-only mode - can't move icons, can't change any Fences settings. Then I tried to update my father's PC from Fences 2.12 (or maybe 2.11) to latest 2.13 Fences version, and it did the SAME thing!

Is it normal for Fences to do this? How many PCs can I use 1 license on?
If Stardock decided to change the license policy between 2.11 and 2.13 versions, this is NOT good. It this is true, I will not buy any Stardock product ever again, and suggest the same to everybody.

Any comments on the above? Thanks in advance for any comments on this.

fences
9,900 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Oops, I now see this may simply be a server/activation issue, and not deliberate on Stardock's part.
Can someone please maybe reset my activation count?
Also, how many PCs can I use Stardock Fences 2.13 on - one, two, three, up to five/etc?

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Morally on one PC only nakibest, but in the past Stardock has said you can run it on two computers, like your desktop and your laptop. This goes for any of their products I believe.

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top


(one is father's PC).
End of quote

Not sure this one is ok.....

 

But if you follow the forums, this topic has been beaten to death back when it started, which wasn't yesterday. One really should follow the forums more if they use SD software. 

 

It is about the new activation system designed to stop one office worker from buying and sharing with the entire office.

 

https://forums.wincustomize.com/455325/page/1/#3474532 

 

https://forums.wincustomize.com/455915/page/1/#3483622

 

 

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

OK, good, but doing this retroactively is a very bad way to handle customers.
You don't expect Fences 2.11/2.12 working fine on about 3-4 PCs, then updating to 2.13 and Fences suddenly saying you are in a Trial again and then block you when the Trial runs out.

I am not working in any office, work at home - I don't want to use Fences on 10-20-more PCs, just 3 or 4 would be nice. All these 4 PCs belong to me, not anyone else.

EDIT (Wednesday 09.17.): @RedneckDude - also, not quite sure how long you say this has been happening &  since when has been discussed, but I don't seem to notice it with any Stardock Fences versions 2.12 or older - just 2.13.
Not quite sure what the release dates for Fences 2.11, 2.12, 2.13 are, but it does not seem to me 2.13 was released that long ago as you make it sound.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The procedure for solving issues with Stardock apps including resetting activations is to fill out a support request. If you haven't done so already then please do so here:

https://esupport.stardock.com/index.php?/Tickets/Submit

Please note Stardock support hours -

Stardock Sales and Support are open Monday - Friday (9am-4pm EST). Every effort is made to respond to queries as quickly as possible, though emails sent after-hours and on weekends will generally not be seen until the following work day.

When you have an auto-generated ticket number you can post it here in a comment.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

I should point out that the license does not permit the use for multiple people however and the expectation is your dads pc would have its own license.  The EULA has not ben changed in this regard.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Neil, reply 6

I should point out that the license does not permit the use for multiple people however and the expectation is your dads pc would have its own license.  The EULA has not ben changed in this regard.
End of Neil's quote

OK, happy to uninstall Fences from my father's PC, and will do so soon.

@Hankers - OK, thank you. Support ticket submitted - ID #FCD-947-95318

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting nakibest, reply 4

EDIT (Wednesday 09.17.): @RedneckDude - also, not quite sure how long you say this has been happening & since when has been discussed, but I don't seem to notice it with any Stardock Fences versions 2.12 or older - just 2.13.Not quite sure what the release dates for Fences 2.11, 2.12, 2.13 are, but it does not seem to me 2.13 was released that long ago as you make it sound.
End of nakibest's quote

 

I only said it wasn't yesterday. If you'll notice the date on the thread from my first link. June 18, 2014.

3 months or so......