e-commerce software question

I'm in talks with a web development company that has built their own e-commerce software. I have seen it and it is indeed well built. They have shown me some of their websites that are built with this software that come up on the first page of google.

My question is about cost. My current e-commerce software was included in the cost of the website development. I'm looking to redo my site and this new company requires a "leasing" fee for their e-commerce software. Is this a common practice? The cost is $70 a month, but that includes the leasing and hosting, so I don't know the breakdown of how much is for the lease and how much is for hosting.

I personally don't like the idea of not owning my website. It kind of rubs me the wrong way. The part that really kills me is that the company offers you the rights (you can own it) to the software for the sum of a mere $5,000. What software do you know of costs $5000?? This sounds crazy to me.

I would love to hear your opinions on this situation. I really want to work with this company, but I need to figure out how to negotiate a compromise.

 

anybody have any opinions on this?

 

That sounds like an enterprise level e-commerce system. Are you an enterprise level business? If not, tell them you want to use an open source e-commerce system like OS Commerce. See if they can design the skin for you (the right graphic design team can make OS Commerce look like the most robust and modern site in the world)

That's my two cents. It just seems to me like they're trying to up sell you on a product that is only going to hurt your bottom line (especially when there are free alternatives.)

EDIT: And for the record, I've seen software packages leased for $75,000 a year, and that's leased!

 

I like MIVA as a step above OSC. I think the problem with OSC is that if you want support you have to ask on forums or research the problems online. You can get MIVA phone support instantly or if you are leasing it your hosting provider can help you quickly.