There is no question, SolidWorks has it 'figured out' in that they get you on the hook. I've had this same conversation w/ my reseller, it does stink that they will not give you the SP's on the software w/ the original year of sale.
The upside of the $1295 maint is that you get all of this years SP's, as well as the first release of the software next year [2012].
As far as training is concerned, I see that as a 'just' cost. If I wanted to own an airplane but didn't want to pay for the lessons to learn to fly it.. is that the fault of Cessna for not including them when they sell me the plane.. not really.
To not include the first year service packs does stink however. Gets under my skin when I think about it. The upside of it is that, they all do it. At least all the upper level CAD companies [AutoDesk, Solidworks etc] all use this same sales model.
I use the subscription and have for 9yrs in that I've paid for the software several times over but I've also had 9 new editions in the process. It's changed ALOT since 2002.
Fwiw
JerryFlyGuy
The more I know... the more I realize I don't
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)