I haven't had the time to read all of the comments in this thread, but I would like to add my own to the discussion. I am not happy with the way that Linden Lab has handled island pricing since they announced the price increase over a year and a half ago. I understand the need to change prices to more accurately reflect both cost and to stay competitive. However, to make these changes seemingly without much consideration for those who have partnered with them in this grand experiment is pretty myopic. We are all invested, to varying degrees, and hopeful this project will continue to be successful. We should be treated with respect to our interests as well.
My frustration started with the first price increase. Linden Lab announced they were moving to a new class of hardware that would offer minor performance benefits, but would be cheaper (on a per region basis) and less costly to operate. Why then did they feel the need to increase the purchase price and monthly tier by 50%? That is a massive price increase by any measure, and then to let it slip that the new hardware saves them money over the previous hardware - well, that really gets you scratching your head.
I bought my island just a few weeks after they increased the price. In that time, I have paid over $2200 more for my island and tier than if I had purchased just a couple of weeks before I did. This seems arbitrary and unfair. But I did accept it, and I did get value for my money. That said ...
I hardly think their recent and massive price reduction was due to a sudden drop in the cost of this hardware. The fact is, those of us who have purchased islands in the last year and a half have been over charged to a massive degree - and they got away with this because there is no competition. Now that the possibility of competition draws near, they have adopted a more competitive price.
And they did so with seemingly no consideration for the land market, or those with holdings far more significant than my own. If this upsets me so much, I can only imagine how frustrated people with 5, 10 or 40 sims must feel.
And what of the Openspace I just purchased four weeks ago? What sudden reduction in cost made it possible to cut the price of those in half just a few weeks after they took my full $415?
I am not saying Linden Lab has done anything ethically wrong, and certainly not legally wrong. But, they clearly no longer take residents into much consideration when they make a sweeping change. There was a time when I felt like I was a partner in this project - and that time has long since passed.
Thanks Linden Lab
