edit: So I just ran across this – “Google will automatically upgrade the storage cloud data limit on every Google Workspace account from 15GB to 1TB.Oct 30, 2023, for free.”

That’s how growth happens.

Livedrive. They have a Pro Suite for up to 5 computers, in addition to a single use backup. Oh, and they have NAS backup also (for a small additional fee). I have 4 computers + NAS. Perfect for my use.

“Thank you for writing in. Unfortunately we cannot move up a renewal date or lock in current pricing if your subscription renews on or after October 3rd.”

Let me sum this up.

Since the Backblaze IPO, the stock has lost 75% of it’s value. Being a public company now, Backblaze must now suck the teet of the shareholders. Insiders have been aggressively selling their stock which is never a good sign. Losses are piling up with no end in sight.

Some overpaid C-Suite is now under pressure to increase revenues. “Hey I got an idea” lets crank up the prices 40%, bundle in service people don’t need to justify this increase.

When a company has to increase prices by 40% that’s a huge red flag. Your financials look like a steaming pile of dog you know what. Revenue increased only because you keep increasing prices every year. Wow, there’s a company slowly dying. Funny how you can dissect a pretty powerpoint from a public company and expose it’s true self.

Here’s what going to happen. In 2024 they’re going to say “hey our revenue increased big time” No kiddng, you’ve raised prices by 40%. Most people won’t notice this increase until they get their bill. And in 2025 people will be leaving in droves cause prices are no longer affordable. By 2026 Backblaze will be a penny stock and following that, out of business.

Sorry I’m gonna have to punch out when my renewal comes up. Good luck in your business Gleb, but I guess you have nothing to worry about with your 500K salary and your millions in stock options.

Little guy gets f*cked again.

they are a dying company. This is a last ditch effort to avoid becoming a penny stock and then it;’ eventual bankruptcy.

I understand the need to offset increasing costs, but surely there was a better way to offer limited tiers for those of us without much data to backup? Frankly, I hadn’t even considered switching to a different backup service until I saw the recent email with the price increases mentioned in this blog post.

Google Drive offers a $30 yearly tier for 200 GB, which is less than half the price I am paying currently with Backblaze, and will be 1/3 of the price after the 43% price hike.

So, just by bringing the current prices to my attention, you helped a customer realize that this company was not the right fit for their needs with the current prices let alone the prices after this.

I suppose as long as you don’t lose more than 30% of your customers with these price increases, the price hikes will be a profitable for your company. I hope that I am a part of the 31%.

There are other costs associated with running a data center. When I signed up, a few months ago, I knew the price was too low and “unlimited storage” was an invitation to disaster.

I have a bit over 5 TB to store (which may be less if they use compression.) Where else can I get 5 TB for a year at this or the new, increased price? The one-month recovery period is quite enough for me. (Yesterday, I did a 15 gig restore and it was fine.)

I say Backblaze is cheap and I’ve been storing a small (free) amount of data for YEARS and they don’t complain at all. I’ll stick with Backblaze. (Note, their client is broken and it generates an error message every so often. They promised to fix it soon.)