Posts by CodingJack

We all knew there was a big risk in exposing detailed ratings information. For example, 5 star averages are almost extinct now. But the majority of authors have been advocating and supporting this change for as long as I can remember. Because the breakdowns show what we all suspected for a long time, the fact that 1 star zingers bring down what is otherwise an item with a ton of 5 star ratings. And that’s exactly the information we wanted to be able to show to buyers.

So the idea that Envato didn’t listen and consider our opinions on the ratings breakdown is a bit silly. Because the idea was spawned by authors in the first place. In fact I remember someone listing all the threads about the subject and there were tons. If the criticism is that it took too long to finally implement the idea, that’s fair.

Every author is entitled to their opinion, but the majority of authors consider the new ratings breakdown a huge positive. And if we start getting ratings feedback, that will be another.

SurStudio said
Is there any chance that you’ll change the way you’re making things? I mean, every important thing you (team) make, you get a lot of people asking to not do it that way, to change it. Why don’t you ask first, and then release the feature?

Envato is running a successful business and isn’t going to poll authors for every change. But communication is way up this year and Envato deserves credit for that.

Parallelus said

VF said
Obviously. And since this data collection planned just for a week or so, there should be no harm.

I agree. The short period makes a big difference. I probably wouldn’t have even commented on this thread had I known it would be a 1-2 week thing. I was picturing several months.

Agree that 1-2 weeks softens the blow. Personally I’m just passionate about this customization thing. Often when someone asks for a quote, their response is: ”$75? But the item only costs $10?”. But once the difference between selling stock and freelance is explained, they usually understand. So I just hate sending the wrong message about customizations when so many already have the wrong impression.

Giallo said
I also would like that buyers who buy more pay less with the time

Always wanted to see a customer loyalty program added here. I spend a decent amount of money on Amazon, and every now and then I get a promotional credit. I have no idea what qualifies me to get it, and sometimes it’s only for a few dollars, but it always makes me feel valued as a customer and I keep going back.

bensmithett said
Currently the new support info only appears in categories that typically need support (WordPress themes & plugins). We’ll roll this out to other categories as needed – since it looks like there’s demand, jQuery Plugins will get it very shortly

Awesome

justinfrench said
We’re going to try separating the “support” and “customizations” options in this list — put ‘em last, perhaps with a dividing line and change their labelling slightly to emphasise that Envato does not require authors to provide either of these.

It’s a step, but doesn’t fully address the issue. Maybe a better way to word it would be:

“Good or bad freelance experience with the author”.

Petty much the same question, but doesn’t make the buyer think that free customization work should have been included with their $6 purchase.

justinfrench said
IT LAUNCHED

I added some text in the support settings but when I click on an item’s “support” tag I only see the FAQ’s?

The fact that Envato wants to collect this data is understandable. And it’s also obvious why they’re looking for canned responses to evaluate the data.

Unfortunately the process has negative consequences. As Bitfade said, the issue here is “You’re not just asking them, you’re telling buyers that “customization” is a valid reason.”

When the new “item support” tab came out, canned text was proposed. AUthors then made the argument, “If support isn’t required, Envato shouldn’t be defining our level of support”. The highly reasonable men/women in charge agreed, and canned text has since been removed from the program.

This situation is no different. Free customizations are not required. And as long as that’s the case, the idea that buyers should be rating based on this particular criteria should not be floated.

Not everything needs to be automated. It wouldn’t take an unreasonable amount of man-hours to just read the text responses of the low star ratings. And you’re bound to gather a lot more quality information doing that anyway.

justinfrench said

Pixelworkshop said
Aren’t support and customizations 100% optionnal ?

We added these options in after debating it quite a bit. We need the truth, which means adding these options in explicitly, even if it temporarily might create the wrong expectation in buyers minds.

Support and customisations are still 100% optional, and there are no plans otherwise.

Regardless if support is optional, buyers expect it and will always rate based on in. It’s just a part of the business. But “customization help” is not and never has been part of the business. And it’s a really unfair message to be sending to buyers, even if you’re just trying to collect data.

The new rules really are terrific. They allow me to only give permission for TF usage, assuring that I won’t ever see any of my items repackaged and resold on CodeCanyon.