Just noticed one thing: support guys now are sending their customers to, i quote, "go to demodemo.com and you will find plenty of tutorials regarding your issue".
What do you people think about this? I mean...is not hot'linking, but still. :D

It means Vito needs to do something to protect his hard work from moochers.

That is pathetic and wrong. But I suppose if you look at it from the support tech's point of view, it doesn't affect them. They can just write that and close the ticket, and that means more money in their pocket (well, for the likes of bobcares/actsupport etc.)

Perhaps some big, bold, red writing on the demo tutorial pages at demodemo.com saying "This is a demo only." And underneath it write for great hosting, go to WaterHosting.com (I believe vito owns waterhosting :))

Enough of my rambling...

edit: typo's

Vito could remove a few key frames from each demo and put up a disclaimer that you have to purchase the demo to see a full version. This would raise more support questions for the cheapy hosts' techs and put the ball back in their court.

Or Vito could put a rotation of ads up in the demo area for hosts who use his demos. Those who don't who send their users there for help will do so at their own peril.

I agree, alter the demo's on the actual demodemo site to be missing some important clips, or even put the message:

"If you are viewing this demo as a result of your host sending you here for support, your host is a moocher and cheat. Please let them know that it is not appropriate to cheat their customers by being too cheap to buy their own demo's"

Won't happen, but would maybe get the point across.

Many thanks for your posts.
As a matter of fact, i love vito's demodemo.com, and i really believe it's a great source of income (even for him) and a great way of reducing the number of support tickets for the big & small companies.
But i also don't want to believe that someone is actually earning money just for refering their clients to demodemo.com, without even paying a buck.. :eek:
Once again, many thanks for poisting your opinions - it helps me clearing my mind :cool:

Thanks AdY for your concern. Yes, it is a problem at times. Not as bad as it used to be, but still a problem. My onsite Wall Of Shame doesn't hurt either. :D

It still always amazes me that a web host would send a client offsite to get support - and to watch a tutorial that has a competitor's logo in it!! :confused: What some people won't do to save a couple of bucks.

I've gone the route of showing "partial" product on the site. Doesn't work very well. I started getting tons of emails from legitimate shoppers saying they wanted to see the entire product before buying.

I do have some plans for changes on the site that I think will significantly reduce this type of cheesy behavior. I'm guessing by early September things will be in place.

Thanks again, AdY. It's heartwarming to see someone concerned for my business. :agree:

Vito

And that is why you don't employ 12-yr old cut-n-paste support technicians and customer service agents :) You'd never find a decent support guy in even the cheapest of companies doing something like that.