Can A Deal On Mac Software Ever Be Called Stealing?

Sometimes I think the world is going bonkers, including the world of Mac users, especially just before Macworld San Francisco.

Is it possible to get such a good deal on software that it could be considered stealing? How about if you pay almost nothing? Is it still stealing software?

Such almost seems like the case with the latest MacHeist promotion. 11 very popular Mac software titles, valued at over $368, available online for only $49.

There’s an old saying: if it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably not. How can Mac software publishers sell their applications or utilities at barely 10-cents on the dollar? Is it legitimate?

From what we can tell after viewing last year’s MacHeist promotion, it is legitimate. If you spend the $49 you won’t go to jail. We haven’t read any reports of buyers going to jail from last year’s deal.

The MacHeist bundle promotion was so popular last year that many Mac users and pundits expected another. No one is disappointed because the new selection of 11 Mac titles is even better. So, it’s a good deal for Mac users. Is it a good deal for Mac software publishers? That remains to be seen.

What does your $49 get you? A eclectic bundle, a range of Mac software from the highly acclaimed and much desired Pixelmator, the money minder application Cha-Ching, to Speed Download, AppZapper, iStopMotion and many others.

Included in the list are a few of Mac360’s favorite applications, including the superb CSSEdit, 1password, and Snapz Pro X. The least expensive utility is HogBaySoftware’s Task Paper, which retails for $18.95, and the most expensive are Pixelmator and Snapz Pro X, which sell for $59 and $69 respectively.

$49 gets you all the applications and utilities on the MacHeist list. You get a serial number for each so you’re a bona fide registered user. MacHeist also gives $100,000 to charity when a certain number of bundles were sold. You get to choose from a list of charities.

Everybody wins, right? Almost. What about the Mac software publishers? After all, on average, the total revenue is barely a dime from each retail dollar. Subtract promotional expenses, subtract the donation to charity, and the software guys don’t make much money.

So, why do Mac software publishers sign on for a steal of a deal like the MacHeist Bundle?

I’m not altogether sure, but it might have something to do with Big Numbers. Each software publisher will receive over 10,000 new customers by the time the promotion ends. There’s one week to go so the number could go higher.

They’ll get money and customers. Many of those new customers may upgrade to future versions, which adds to their revenue.

However, 10,000 or more new customers also means customer service and support issues. Fortunately, the selection of Mac software is so good in this bundle that it’s likely that Mac users will be highly satisfied. As of today, there’s barely a week left in the promotion.

I can’t find much of a downside for Mac users. Ditto for various charities. The MacHeist people will make money, too. However, I see something of a downside for Mac software publishers. Why do they get involved?

I’m not sure if it’s greed, good business sense, herd mentality, or some kind of new math that I’m not familiar with but need to know more about—soon. Whatever it is, this is easily the best bargain we’ve seen online for Mac software.