Refund?
As others have said, this is a money grab. The original app was great and fairly priced. The content is the equivalent of a 50-page book. Way over-priced at $100/yr for what you get. For $10/mo., the app should turn my phone into portable ultrasound.
(Response to developer)
We all have and continue to use other apps that don’t cost even a fraction of this one. Vargo provides significantly more information and they’ve managed to get by with charging a one time fee. It was steep, but nothing compared to what one would be paying for this app if one were to keep it long term. And from what I understand, Vargo was much cheaper initially as well... and they didn’t come back and try to shake down previous purchasers for more money. They adjusted the price for future customers.
This idea that it’s ok to back out of our agreed upon price after the fact because you provided notice that you were going to do it in advance is absurd. I’m sorry that you discovered that your business model wasn’t as profitable as you had hoped, but this doesn’t justify shady business practices.
Response from developer
The rapid emergence of smartphone technology, security threats, and operating system changes have led to issues surrounding the Block Buddy application. Some of these key issues have caused us to wean off the antiquated platform and develop a newer platform for Block Buddy Pro that allows us to continually update the platform and application content. We have significantly updated the app to include 50% more blocks as well as new sections on POCUS, nerve plexus, and joint innervation. We have also expanded our video content, medical illustrations, ultrasound images, and lessons on local anesthetics and LAST. The functionality of the app has also been upgraded to allow users to view content offline and to access the app using your phone, tablet, or computer. Content on Block Buddy Pro is constantly updated to give users the best experience. To help deal with the challenges of the Block Buddy end of life (EOL), we suspended sales in July 2019 and communicated we would continue to support the application until January 2021. In addition, we have been offering special discounts to offset the costs of Block Buddy and encourage users to upgrade to Block Buddy Pro before the EOL. This included a 25% discount for users to upgrade to the pro version. This presented a $25 savings and returned the $9.99 or $14.99 spent on the original version of Block Buddy. We also had 3 sales throughout last year that offered a 50% savings. Ultimately, the platform used to build Block Buddy was extremely limited and did not meet our needs or the needs of many of our users. In addition, the low, one-time cost of Block Buddy was not sustainable given the recurring monthly expenses of maintaining, upgrading, and selling the app. Changing to a subscription plan allows us to continue the Block Buddy app and make it the best product available for users.
Not worth the money
Overpriced
Response from developer
We appreciate your comments. We are continuously upgrading Block Buddy Pro (BBP) with new content and features that are not available on the original version. There are 50% more blocks on BBP, along with hundreds of new illustrations and images, more videos, new sections on nerve plexus and POCUS, offline access, the ability to use across all devices regardless of operating system, and a 24/7 help desk. Users can purchase a monthly ($9.99) or annual subscription ($99). We hold sales at various points throughout the year. Most recently we held a 50% off sale. Currently, we offer a 25% discount for current users of the original app.
Great content, glitchy app...please fix
But, For an app that I HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO, I shouldn’t have to fumble around with the functionality.
For example: when scrolling through a “lesson”, the floating bar at the bottom of the screen doesn’t stay put...it follows the scroll and covers the content you’re attempting to look at. Then a second or two later, the bar drops back down to the bottom of the page.
Another example: When writing “notes” into a lesson, I often have trouble adding anything after I do any deleting- that is to say, if I miss-type something and delete it, I can’t write anymore- it just won’t let me add anything else. Also, If I go back to something I’ve just typed, I can’t add anything to it. In either instance, I have to go out of the lesson completely, then come back into the note and edit it.
Get the bugs fixed. Or your app will eventually become more bothersome than useful, and I’ll cancel my subscription. There are plenty of other resources out there than don’t cost a dime.
Response from developer
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We apologize for the inconvenience you are experiencing. I have forwarded your message to our support team. Please contact us directly so we can help you resolve the issues you are experiencing: helpdesk@worldsynergy.com. Our help desk is available 24/7. We want to give users the best experience possible.
No downloaded lessons
Response from developer
All lessons can be downloaded for offline use. These can be accessed by clicking on the menu icon in the upper right corner of the home screen. Once the menu opens, click on Downloads. All of the lessons you downloaded can be found on this page and can be accessed offline. We apologize that you did not receive a timely response to your email.
Buggy, poor integration of downloadable content
Response from developer
Thank you for your feedback as we are always looking to improve the app. For security reasons, the app was designed to periodically require users to re-enter their log in information. If you are being requested more frequently, this is an easy fix that we will address. With regards to offline access, we wanted to give users the option of deciding what content they wanted to download. Due to the size of the app with all of the content, images and videos, it would take up significant space on mobile devices. It could also impact the functionality of the app. Feel free to contact us directly with any concerns, comments or questions: info@myblockbuddy.com. Thank you
You get what you pay for
There isn’t anything nearly as good
Excellent lessons to review
Pharmacology
LAST
Review of blocks
Constant upgrades!
If you liked the original BB app this will blow you away.
