> you just sold 15,000 copies at retail by having a full price version when you otherwise couldn't sell any
That's wishful thinking. No business buys 15,000 copies of an app just like that.
My experience from the point of view of an independent software developer is that:
1. The company will email you to fill out some forms because they are considering a bulk purchase. You get all excited and jump right into filling out their forms.
2. They will ask for a volume discount.
3. They will ask for some more forms to fill out. They'll casually mention that they are looking at competitors as well. Okay, maybe now they can finally make the purchase...
4. Ultimately they will order 5 licenses and move them around between employees as needed.
In the mean time, 50 private customers will have bought a license without ever contacting you.
If there's a market where businesses randomly buy 15,000 copies of an app let me know and I'll switch to making apps in that market.
(Also, in my experience, most bigger companies don't use Apple Business Manager, they buy software via resellers like Software One)
Can't agree more. Been through the "please fill out those forms to register with our software reseller" thing too many times. In the end they order 2 licenses.
Then there's those who absolutely need to send a purchase order with a 90+ days payment goal for what amounts to be $150 or so. 75% of the time I agreed to that I have never seen any money.
The worst are K12 districts who expect you to fill out government forms (+ extra forms because I'm not from the US) then to order 1 copy they share between all their students. I just resort to sending them a free license they can legally use for all their students.
Then there's the notable exceptions. A social network site for professionals somehow manages to just order 20 licenses with a credit card. Same goes for a search engine company. Or a certain operating system vendor. No fucking PO required. No forms. They just get a corporate credit card and use the Fast Spring webshop I set up.
I'm really done with corporate/enterprise bullshit. They can go to my competition and shower them with stupid purchase orders for 15,000 units. I prefer to keep my sanity.
That's wishful thinking. No business buys 15,000 copies of an app just like that.
My experience from the point of view of an independent software developer is that:
1. The company will email you to fill out some forms because they are considering a bulk purchase. You get all excited and jump right into filling out their forms.
2. They will ask for a volume discount.
3. They will ask for some more forms to fill out. They'll casually mention that they are looking at competitors as well. Okay, maybe now they can finally make the purchase...
4. Ultimately they will order 5 licenses and move them around between employees as needed.
In the mean time, 50 private customers will have bought a license without ever contacting you.
If there's a market where businesses randomly buy 15,000 copies of an app let me know and I'll switch to making apps in that market.
(Also, in my experience, most bigger companies don't use Apple Business Manager, they buy software via resellers like Software One)