I agree, even half a star is way too much.

As long as you preview the HTML exports in Safari or Mail.app, the templates (even edited ones) seem ok.

But don't dare sending them to an Outlook user. The HTML source code it produces is just convoluted crap.

Instead of stripping and cleaning the HTML the app spits out keep handcoding your HTML email templates instead and save yourself time and frustration.

Wow, just checked this out. They up-charge for the Apple Store version and they clearly show it is a cut down version. Remember when PC companies used to charge Mac users more for the same app as the PC version? Offended yet?

Equiinix Store - $69.95
Apple Store - $74.99

http://www.equinux.com/us/products/maildesigner/macappstore.html

In theory the MacApp Store brings more sales and the 30 percent back to Apple is easily worth the sales revenue. For example Pixelmator sold $1M in the first 20 days if its sales on the MacApp store.

So which is a better deal, a Photoshop clone app that is faster, edits all graphics formats, has a prettier interface than PhotoShop and does 80% of what Photoshop does for $59 or an app that can build HTML email stationary.

But wait, since Pixelmator's sales went through the roof after being on the MacApp Store, they dropped the price to $29. Pixelmater was a steal at $59 from the Pixelmator web site. Now they only use the Mac App Store and the price is $29.99. Quite the opposite to gouging on price and crippling the software on the App Store...

Some perspective:
Pixelmator - $29.99 (replaces Photoshop at $800)
Pages - $19.99 (superb word processor, replaces MS Word)
Keynote - $19.99 (Powerpoint crusher, replaces easily)
Numbers - $19.99 (replaces MS Excel for 90% of us)
Mac OS X Lion - $29.95
and then there is the $75 Mail Designer


Something tells me that at $9.99 they would make more money on the Mac App Store ;-) if their software was any good...

Whatever. You are looney if you think Pixelmator replaces Photoshop and iWork replaces Office. Maybe it will for consumers, but this is NOT a consumer app. It is targeted towards businesses that want to brand their correspondence. Unless you can code these pieces of software, don't assume that the effort put into an application does not deserve compensation. This is a specialized application, meaning its smaller market will not necessarily support a lower price tag in order to break even or heaven-forbid make a little profit.

If you do the breakdown on what this software does, it will pay for itself in a few emails. If you look at the long term value of software like this, it makes the professional owner money. It also keeps it easy, extensible and supported.

I love how everyone seems to think they know how to run everyone else's business, and unless it is their opinion, everyone else is dead-wrong.

No, I have no vested intrest in Equinux, except tired of seeing businesses get pummeled for trying to make a fair wage. If the price is too much for you, fine. Go somewhere else. Let's see you build nice looking custom emails as fast as this, as reliable as this and as supported as this. This is a business app that has been long overdue. Kudos to the people that made it a reality.