Buying a sample library is not an easy task. In most cases there are no demo versions to test and many developers do not allow refunds, trade-ins, transfer(reselling) of a purchased library (even if it is flawed or not working).
This is a list with current information about companies terms of sales. It does NOT factor in actual product quality or how they communicate with their customers. The only factors included are their written terms affecting the consumers rights to recover money(or getting other compensations) from a purchase. Companies are listed in broad groups to give a fast overview. For minute details about terms you have to read the fine print on their webpages.
Each developer will be listed in one of three tiers- Customer friendly terms, Reasonably customer friendly terms or Customer unfriendly terms. Each developer will be placed in the highest tier they can meet enough criterias for. Developers that I have just noticed but had not time to read their terms yet will be listed under - Unclear and unlisted. As soon as possible when new information comes in I will update the list.
Customer friendly terms
Companies listed here give customers good options to test products or to recover the expense of the purchase if the customer wants to. Developers listed here comply with one or more of the criteria listed under Terms of Sale.
Terms of sales
T1 - Provide fully working demos of their products (time limited "cippleware" is ok)
T2 - Allow full refund of products (minimum of once per product)
T3 - Allow free reselling/transfers of licenses (minimum of once per product)
T4 - Provide short time rent model that can the customer can leave at will
T5 - Allow customers to exchange products for other products of same value
Sales statements
S1 - Statement to discuss refunds for unsuitable/malfunctioning products
S2 - Statement to resolve problems or make settlements to compensate the customer
S3 - Statement to handle and aid customers to sell or transfer licences to other users
S4 - Statement to fix and update technical flaws or sound defects in the product
List of companies
- EastWest , soundsonline.com (T4)
- Bestservice (T1, T6)
- Rigid Audio (T1, T2*) *14 days money back guarantee
- Native Instruments (T1,T3, S2)
- Steinberg (T3, S2)
- Arturia (T3, S2)
- ProjectSam (T3, S2)
- Chocolate Audio (T3, S5)
- AmpleSound (T1*, S3*) *demos only available for some products *statement is posted on KVR)
Reasonably Customer friendly terms
Developers in this don't have terms of sale that offer full demos of all products or give customers rights for refunds or to sell their license to another user. They have statments that indicate that customers cases will be considered and that they might grant refunds or other settlements. Many list the a strict No refunds EULA as their terms of sale. Developers listed here state one or more of the Sales statments.
Terms of sales
T6 - Allow reselling/transfers of licenses for a transfer fee
T10 - Terms of sale(EULA) stating no refund/reselling/transfers of products
Sales statements
S1 - Statement to discuss refunds for unsuitable/malfunctioning products
S2 - Statement to resolve problems or make settlements to compensate the customer
S3 - Statement to handle and aid customers to sell or transfer licences to other users
S4 - Statement to fix and update technical flaws or sound defects in the product
S5 - Statement that refunds may be granted for manufacturing defective products
S6 - Statement that transfer of licenses for reselling may be considered and allowed by the developer
S7 - The customer may get an unsuitable product exchanged for a product of equivalent value
List of companies
- Soniccouture (T6, S7)
- Orange Tree Samples (T10, S2, S6)
- Zero-G (T10, S2, S4)
- Vienna Symphonic Library (T10,S6)
Customer unfriendly terms
Developers listed below states that they will not issue any refunds.
Terms of sales
T10 - Terms of sale(EULA) stating no refund/reselling/transfers of products
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List of companies
- Soundiron (T10)
- sonokinetic (T10)
- 8Dio (T10)
- Panda-sound (T10)
- Bigfishaudio.com (T10)
- Corybrunnemann (T10)
- Spitfireaudio(T10)
- Strezow sampling (T10)
- Impact Studios (T10)
- Heavyocity (T10)
- FluffyAudio (T10)
- Audioimperia (T10)
- Impactsoundworks (T10)
- Audioollie (T10)
- Insession Audio (T10)
- http://www.evolutionseries.com (T10)
Unclear and unlisted
Developers in this tier are placed here until there terms have been sorted out. This is just an inbox.
Terms of sales
- Unclear, no terms listed or T10
Sales statements
- Uncertain, no reports from customers.
List of companies
- Spectrasonics (T10?)
- Wave Alchemy (T10?)
- Realitone (no terms listed?)
- Orchestral Tools
Please pitch in facts and I will update the list ASAP.