What do Adobe employees mean when they say that customers didn't like CS when it first came out?

Question

Every time I hear an Adobe employee try to defend CC they usually talk about a time when everyone hated the idea of the creative suite. Later these people all changed their minds when Adobe showed them what an incredible value the suite was. Maybe my memory is failing me here but I don’t recall ANYONE complaining about the idea of a design suite, not a single person. Certainly no where near the vitriol hatred that people are showing towards CC.
Everybody seems to understand the concept of buying in bulk. Just yesterday I needed a new stick of deodorant, when I was at the store they gave me the option of getting a discount if I bought four sticks of deodorant. It seemed like a good deal to me so I bought all four. We have been doing the same thing with software. Microsoft had been selling their Office suites long before Adobe put out CS so when CS came out it was warmly accepted. When MS tried the rental approach it was flat out rejected in the past and now Adobe is being overwhelmingly rejected today. They seem to have this attitude that if people would only try it they would like it but the approach has been tried and customers overwhelming didn’t go for it.

Answer 1

pik80 wrote:
Maybe my memory is failing me here but I don’t recall ANYONE complaining about the idea of a design suite, not a single person.
No, your memory is fine. The CS concept was accepted quite nicely as it offered a true partnership between the developer and end user ... with a discount for the user in supporting multiple titles. It was a win-win for both sides of the equation ... Adobe sold more apps, users received a price break over buying the apps separately.
Conversely ... CC doesn't offer any equity to the user whatsoever ... as Adobe wishes to be rewarded for their efforts no matter what they offer in the area of future updates, new and or improved features. Prior to CC, if a user did not deem new versions as worthy of paying the price to upgrade because that particular version did not offer any advancements, they could pass until there was a viable and worthy reason to invest further in Adobe's efforts. Plus, with CC, the user is left empty handed should they opt out of the subscription.
CC ensures Adobe will profit ... users? ... not so much ...
While users do receive something for thier monthly stipend to Adobe ... the traditional partnership of vendor and end user, the scales have tipped decisively in favor of the vendor.