Ezlo wrote:
After much deliberation, I decided I would not renew my CaravelNet in time for the extra free SmSs. Here are my reasons:
1. Erik and Mike and all the others deserve the money, and they already have been more than generous with giving the people who bought CaravelNet this year credits for the missing SmSs and the extra month of CaravelNet to make up for the server crash. If I took this one up I would have free SmSs all the way into the end of 2008! That's just way too much kindness!
2. I'm already getting a free copy of TCB, (through Bunche's Grand Audition win) and I want to pay them some money! 
3. I don't want them to stop making games because they expend too much time for too little reward.
So, am I being stupid? Overly sentimental about Game Developers? Too nice? Passing up on a great deal? Saving money on my Car Insurance by switching to Geico? Ignoring the Three-Headed Monkey that's right behind me? I must know the answers to these questions!
I'd watch out for that three-headed monkey, but here's my take on things:
People in various areas of the retail business often give discounts (some very steep) to customers who are willing to commit early to a purchase. They don't do this out of the goodness of their hearts -- they do it because it's a sound business practice. Early commitments allow flexibility and they afford the retailer some security.
This is particularly notable in cases where the product may or may not ever be produced. Several game production companies have instuted a P500 policy for new games -- they offer a steep discount to people who are willing to commit to buying a game, but they won't even start producing the game until they have at least 500 preorders (sometimes more). This way they can afford to do larger print runs and the money from the preorders lowers their risk.
Now, for products that we know are going to be produced in any case, this may matter less. The SMS holds are going to be made whether you commit to receiving them by renewing your CNet subscription early or not.
So I guess what I'm saying is that there's nothing particularly dumb about choosing to pay a larger price. I doubt Caravel would try to discourage this behavior. But I think you may be underestimating the utility of taking Erik up on the early renewal offer.
I renewed early, because I'm a cheap bastard and have a hard time turning down a good deal. That said, I'd happily pay more if necessary.
Josh
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"
Rings and knots of joy and grief, all interlaced and locking."
--William Buck
/dy
