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6/10
GOTCHA! 2000 Payroll Tax Updates No Longer Supported!by - June 16, 2003
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Cons: I went online this morning to fill out and print our payroll using Quickbooks 2000 and received a message that there was a problem with my payroll tax table update subscription. I called the 800 number and was informed that payroll tax tables for my 2000
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2/10
Frustrationby - May 2, 2003
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Even using a souped-up Compaq, the QuckenBook 2002 drove me in a maze of trouble. One mistake on my part, and disaster soon struck. Big promos by Intuit corp. If you have stock in this company, get out soon if they do not improve their product and support.
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2/10
$275 for 21 minutes of tech support and I still cant transfer payroll information.by - April 29, 2003
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This product is a waste of time, effort and money. If you are lucky enough to be a person who never makes a mistake, don't mind paying an arm and a leg for LOUSY tech support, and like to continue to pay for services that SHOULD have come with the product, then this product is for you. But if you're normal, then don't bother. A VERY unforgiving program. Even my accountant agrees. Can't easily delete any mistakes. Payroll costs a minimum of $129 to have them help. You can calculate it manually, but didn't I buy this software to do that for me? This product is an absolute rip off.
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1/10
The software that hides errors until your accountant looks at your booksby - April 17, 2003
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I have been working as a professional accountant for three years now and the single worst accounting software product on the market is QuickBooks. This software is not suited to the small owner-manager business. Knowledge of how to properly account for transactions is needed to use this software effectively. You must know the fundamentals - there are two sides to every transaction; do not post entries into prior years. Aside from those two points, you should also use account numbers so that at year end when you give the trial balance to the accountant there are not three accounts called "Capital Assets," "Capitla Assets," and "Captial Assest" each with the wrong balance. Also note that if you have a balance in the "opening balance equity," or "historical balancing account" you have done something wrong. In conclusion, give all professional accountants a break and buy Simply Accounting (or take an intermediate accounting course before you start using QuickBooks).
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1/10
intuit is getting progressively worseby - April 15, 2003
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There was a time, about 10 years ago, when Quicken, as well as turbotax, were great products with an intuitive user interface on all screens. Now you have to practically be an engineer. Too much and too little at the same time.
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1/10
Changed my accounts w/o authorizationby - April 10, 2003
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After upgrading 99 to 2002 the program mislinked accounts that didn't belong. I didn't realize the error until I went to file me taxes with my accountant. I haven't found all the lost accounts but will someday. What a hassle. two weeks of renaming and reassigning my accounts
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2/10
Cash-cow for intuit !by - March 12, 2003
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Quick-books has become greedy and lost sight of the original "small bussiness" target. In the Canadian version the payroll system is completely disabled unles you pay the $360 per year support fee. The US version at least allows a manual payroll option.
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3/10
Intuit is a SCAM ARTISTby - March 12, 2003
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STAY AWAY FROM ALL INTUIT PROGRAMS. COME ON DARE C-NET REVIEWER, HOW CAN YOU RATE THIS PRODUCT HIGHLY. I trusted C-Net reviews until now. First they give everyone a free spyware installed (at no extra charge) with Turbo Tax now they sell you Quickbooks Pro with crapola for directions. Guess What? You get to pay them $75 to answer one question which should have been answered in the directions. So..they sell you the software for a price then they hold you hostage for more money if you actually want to use it. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE INTUIT. After reading the comments on this board I say Intuit will not be around much longer. Everone is staying away from Turbo Tax & Quickbooks isn't to fairing too well either. Someone out there needs to develop some good accounting software. They will make a killing.
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5/10
Where to start, I know - Don't Buyby - March 9, 2003
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A company the size Intuit you would think might be able to give away at least 20 minutes of tech support (and I don?t mean 20 min. on hold) just for purchasing or upgrading their product. Even the almighty Microsoft will answer your questions about features and give you some real tech support after you upgrade or purchase one of their overpriced products. Not Intuit. This one really bugs me: when you run the update for the program and it downloads the updates, it does not even bother to tell you what those upgrades are doing for or to your software, nor does it give you the option to choose how to deal with the download, its either update the 'features' or not, that is it. Oh yes, I suppose I should reiterate what others have said about Intuit's way of pushing all of its products on you while you are using Quickbooks. You know their credit card, their online bill pay service, and online backup service. The list goes on forever. You cannot ignore these or turn them off, and the worst part is not only do you have to look at them on certain screens, but you are required to respond to many of their solicitations, by way of a pop up. I don't have much of a problem with the tax table update, but the price is steep for what you get. In all though there is no other place to turn, the best programs cost from $2000 - 8000 and then they charge you $300 - $1200 per year in maintenance fees which buy you tech support and the latest product upgrades and versions. I think the bottom line is dont get started with QB, find another vendor that can handel your needs!! Until someone develops a better program that can do as much a QB does for the price, I will just have to deal with it, but if I were Intuit I would be listening to its customers because someday that product will arrive, the worst part is it will probably be a Microsoft or Microsoft funded product. Shape up Intuit or I hope a competitor bites you in the a@!.
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4/10
Not terrible, but NOT top choiceby - March 3, 2003
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First of all, don't believe the hype. Editor's Choice award my eye! The CNET reviewers aren't business owners actually USING this program. They're just sitting at their desks fiddling around and going, "cool!" Listen to the user response. Listen to my response (as a small business). It's a shabby product. It's complicated. It's full of ads. It takes your private information and does God knows what with it. It is a money-grubbing monster that makes Microsoft look like a really great guy.
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3/10
Can't EVER move to another productby - March 3, 2003
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Purchased this to run some administration for my son's school. Converted my quicken checkbook files. I no longer need the Quickbooks functionality and price, and find there is NO WAY to move back to quicken or a transferable format (for MS money, etc). Tech support is arrogant, absolutely no online help (call tech support, agree to pay tech support price if they think the issue is billable, wait on hold, and then get answer and maybe a bill). They also continue to add new front-ends and menu systems which require retraining and a lot of checking to make sure the new reports and old reports are providing the same data. They used to provide a good product for a good price and a nice alternative to MS. NOW I HATE THIS COMPANY, and would just as soon them go out of business!
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3/10
STAY AAWAYby - February 19, 2003
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Bought it Nov 01 02 and was informed it was no longer supported Feb 15 03. Made me buy 2003 and sign a one year contract. It also destroyed my QB Pro V6 data. Talk about SOFTWARE PIRATES!!!
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1/10
QB Pro 2003 - brokenby - February 10, 2003
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I have just purchased quickbooks pro 2003. I am an independent software developer - so you would expect that I should bring better-than-average skills at solving software installation problems. Not so in this case. Even though my system is 100% consistent with the advertised requirements for QB Pro 2003, here are just a few of the problems I have encountered: 1) Unable to convert a previous QB Pro 99 company file - it crashes at the point where it is telling me it is about to back-up my file. I suspect this is related to a incompatability with SP 1 of Windows XP - since there appears to be numerous postings by others here noting the same problem. I have logged the problem via the QB technical support email web page - but haven't heard back from them. 2) Thinking that perhaps I could circumvent the problem with the conversion of my QB Pro 99 file by simply creating new company - and pain-of-pains - manually entering everything to bring my file up-to-date - but NO! - that is not an option either. It is apparent that there are numerous problems between QB Pro 2003 and other software packages - perhaps it is SP1, or Norton Anti-Virus 2003, or Norton Firewall 2003? Please note that I did attempt to disable the Norton products - but to no avail. It is exceedingly frustrating that I have paid good money for a product that is so broken that it can't even function at a minimum level. I am even more frustrated by the unexpected goose egg that comes with the package - the required ~$160+ per year fee to use the payroll tax tables. Excuse me, didn't I buy a full product? Why on earth can't QB at least deliver a product with an initial set of tax tables? To the management of QB - you are in material breach of good faith. I shall not be doing business with you in the future. Not every product needs to have at its core - a web user interface.
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3/10
When is enough - enough!!!by - January 29, 2003
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Please for the love of God stop making updates that eliminate the older more user friendly versions. I cannot believe I just received a notice regarding the discontinuance of support for Quickbooks 2000 and 2001. This is outrageous. We are an accounting firm that has a large clientele using Quickbooks. We actually have recommended to our clients. NO MORE. Quickbooks should come out with a version that will allow basic financial use and multiple years for payroll services. Most small business owners are not sophisticated enough to use all of the new "bells and whistles". Most small businesses use it for the checkbook and payroll functions. Both are easy to use. However, multiple downloads throughout the year and constantly having to upgrade the program has taken away from the user friendliness of the Quickbooks of old. We started using this program ten years ago (QuickPay). I wish we could revert back about five years ago. That's when Quickbooks and Quickbooks support was at its best. Recommend - NO WAY. Stay Away. Look at Peachtree or Money.
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1/10
Program Blackmails Hundreds Of Dollars A Year Out Of Your Businessby - January 28, 2003
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Dear Intuit, . You scum sucking company. My new company not only bought QuickBooks last year, but we bought the Pro edition. And now you are telling me that I have to spend an additional $169 a year blood money or you will disconnect the payroll feature and the software won't work as advertised???? This is blackmail and, in case the above subtle references haven't clued you in yet, this makes me angry. So, here is my seven step solution aimed to make my anger subside: 1) I plan to ask my accountant if she and/or I can compute this manually - even if it costs more than $169/year. If not then I guess I will either have to succumb to your blackmail or subscribe to a payroll service. 2) Since I am now in the habit of tracking business expenses I figure I should track my personal expenses as well. I have used Quicken in the past, but my copy is old. Incredible as this sounds I am going to buy Microsoft Money instead -- and I HATE that monopoly money grubbing Microsoft. But, and this is the surprising part, I now hate you more. 3) It is tax time. Time to buy TaxCut Deluxe 2002 from H&R Block. 4) I am going to write my local state rep and state senator and tell them about your blackmail while laying it on thick about the troubles a new small business has to go through in these tough times. I will propose that they pass a state law banning such misleading advertising/pricing. And, while I am at it I will ask them to follow California's lead, as seen in this week's Wall Street Journal, and create software in which individuals can file electronically directly with the state (bypassing software companies such as yours). The Wall Street Journal article says that California officials are sure that the system will actually save the state money when all is said and done and that probably has appeal in other states such as mine in these times. And, yes, I am one of the few people out there who does know the names and addresses of all of my elected legislators. 5) When the time comes to upgrade I will inquire about MYOB (Accounting Plus) and whether my files will convert. 6) I interact with a surprisingly large number of small business owners, business school professors, and company analysts (CFAs) at investment banks. I will let them all know what slimeballs you are. 7) A copy of this letter has just been posted in the negative comments section of the review of QuickBooks Pro 2002 in the cnet.com site. You ought to feel guilty working at a blackmailing company. As so should your boss, so please forward this letter on to that person too.
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2/10
Poor tax accuracy, expensive payroll updated & service of their own product no internet integrationby - January 25, 2003
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Does not figure payroll taxes with accuracy even if you are spending $14.00 a month for tax updates. Expect a forty percent increase in this payroll service. Totally inept and inert service group, unless you want to pay for their product service, no email contact points, . Hard to manage, lacks printing and sending capabilities cannot email invoices. Constant Intuit advertising for printed forms, payroll services, etc. etc. that you cannot stop.
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2/10
Good Product Ruined by Rapacious Managementby - January 25, 2003
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I've used Quickbooks for many years, but never again. Intuit abuses its customers with incessant marketing within QB, and by actually turning OFF features of the software after a time, rendering it useless for most practical purposes, forcing the customer to pay an ongoing ransom to keep QB turned on or get an xpensive "upgrade" every year. Now I understand QB embeds spyware. Enough !
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10/10
Do not install 2003by - January 13, 2003
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They claim to have a fix in February. Once installed you can not reconcile if more than one bank.
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8/10
Filled with ads that can't be removed.by - January 12, 2003
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This Comapny reminds me of Visicalc and I expect them to have a similar fate. They are abusive, arrogant, and are intent on selling their online services even if you don't want them. The payroll system has a free data file when you install but if you have not been shown the 'secret' path to it, you will pay $169.00 for their 'payroll service' for the same thing. I want no online services or online connection to my accounting system but the only way I can be sure I'm free of these parasites and blood suckers is to have a stand alone machine with no connection to my network or internet connection. I upgraded from Version 6 because I could not run payroll from it anymore as they quit supporting Ver. 6 payroll updates. My next upgrade will be to another company. Version 6 worked fine for my little company - I didn't want to upgrade but was forced to because of their lack of support of their product. The new product in abusive in its forcing to the desktop, continued advertising for products I don't want. Its a shame as it ysed to be a good company with a great product.
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1/10
Ads and Quirkyby - January 11, 2003
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Like many others I am annoyed and deplored by the built in spam-ware/ad-ware. Thank god I haven't needed any tech support by the looks of others postings. Not very simple to find solutions for simple problems. Finally in 2002 the email statements/invoices was added... is Intuit in the dark ages... everything should be email-able. From reports to journal entires! Come on, get with the program... but not QuickBooks Pro 2002!
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4/10
Ok, if you don't need support!by - January 6, 2003
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Sure this is the bookkeepting standard for small business. And Intuit is acting like they know it very well. The software is very sensitive to glitches with downloading (software updates, tax table updates, etc.). Antivirus software blocks downloads. Internet filters block downloads. Firewalls block downloads. And network routers block downloads. Need help fixing the problem? Be prepared to pay another $75+ just to get an answer (after waiting on hold forever). The product's just not worth the cost and aggravation. If you haven't already, look at comments for Quicken. Intuit is a very customer-unfriendly company!
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9/10
Excellent product, better than all previous versionsby - December 29, 2002
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Intuit has made significant changes and enhancements to this product, which has made it more user friendly, more easily customizable, and greater productivity for my staff.
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5/10
Doesn't play well with othersby - December 11, 2002
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When Microsoft released SP1 for Internet Explorer 6, the security fixes broke a major portion of QuickBooks' user interface. This happens because QB relies on Internet Explorer for many of its displays, and Intuit, the software publisher, either cannot or will not coordinate with Microsoft. The problem has existed since September. It's now December, and Intuit hasn't fixed it, even though they've just started selling their new QB2003 product -- and I don't even know if an upgrade will correct the problems.
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3/10
Bugs not fixedby - November 20, 2002
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QuickBooks acknowledges a bug wherein "The Page Cannot be displayed" message is received in the QuickBooks centers, but to date have provided no fix. They have known about this bug for several months. I find this unacceptable and their support unreasonably expensive.
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6/10
Crashes, weak supportby - November 19, 2002
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I've upgraded to QB02 with no problem. It does everything I need and is easy to use. The problem I have is system crashing when on a LAN. INTUIT could work to improve their customer support.
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5/10
Easy to make a mess of your bookkeepingby - November 15, 2002
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I am a CPA and have many clients who use Quickbooks. Yes, it is easy to use and that is why people like it. Unfortunately, they usually make a mess of the bookkeeping and I am left trying to figure out what they did and how to fix it. I recommend Peachtree to all but a few of my clients. Yes, it is a little harder to use, but at least you end up with a balance sheet and income statement that are close to being correct. My advice-take an introductory accounting course and buy Peachtree.
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3/10
Bound by success...by - November 12, 2002
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QB 99 was good to use to get the business off the ground. QB 01 is a bit better to use and can accomplish the basics needed. Internet updates are good. But...it looks and sounds like Intuit needs to spend time with the customer. Customizing its program and essentially becoming the only game in town seems to be its focu$. The simplistic format does not allow for the flexibility needed to produce 'presentable' info and reports (i.e bit map graphics). Stick with the old version until you absolutely have to change...focu$ on customer's need...not the product'$ exclu$ivity.
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3/10
If there was another show in town...by - November 5, 2002
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Although this program is difficult to understand, made worse by the lack of helpful help files, they are the only game in town. Oracle puts together a very nice on-line program; but, you'll be kicking out $1600 per year for the first user, and $800 per year after that (see them for acutal costs). Since most of us can't afford this while getting started, it's Quickbooks or Peachtree. I haven't spent the time with Peachtree; but, using a demo it doesn't seem to be a lot better. Although Quickbooks will work with a limited number of on-line institutions, it can't even import Quicken files from Credit Card companies. This is if it is even worth the struggle to get the on-line statements entered. Regardless, the ugly interface, poor invoices, pathetic email based invoiceing, and difficult to use importing of contact data make this a definite Grade D- package. I hate to say this; but, I wish MS would make a Money off spin for the small business. MS Money (if you are a service based S-Corp or Sole Prop is WAY better).
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5/10
Too many useless features, not enough useful onesby - November 1, 2002
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Filled with advertising and without helpful tech support, QB is just a way into your business for Intuit. It then wants to sell you more products or services, sometimes even if you don't want them. They are like drug dealers handing out just enough crack to hook you and then its all downhill. You can't easily move to another program or cancel their services without a fight!
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2/10
Slammed by Intuitby - October 28, 2002
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QB 2002 is FULL of bugs. What good is a bookkeeping program that can't even keep books correctly? In my case QB 2002 keeps transfering payroll liabilities from one employee to another and showing them as unpaid even though they are paid! Then there is the matter of Customer Service. Not only won't they let you talk to anyone about the bugs in their programs without paying them but if you complain about it they cut you off. The person who answered the phone at Intuit told me that Intuit would refuse to provide me with technical support even if I paid for it. Of course that's not a big deal to me because I would never pay a 22-year-old kid making $9/hr. $75 for 15 minute of his or her time.
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2/10
Aggravating to use and nasty bugsby - October 20, 2002
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I have used several accounting softwares packages because I work as an accounting consultant for other companies and Quickbooks is the worst. Customer support is expensive and worthless. Recently, my client upgraded to 2002 and the installation turned the company file to read-only, rendering it useless until I restore a backup copy. I would prefer to just consult and help with business but I am spending much of my time straightening out Quickbooks for my clients.
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6/10
Worthless "Improvements"by - October 16, 2002
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Every upgrade for QB has "improvements" that mostly bloat the program and improve the chance that the end-user has to call for support. Let it be known that you usually have to pay for support for questions that are the should have been given in the installation, manual, etc. Support must have a mandate to make sure every call is charged and to hold the customer at least 11 minutes, to charge at least two units! I have not seen any useful changes since QB99!
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4/10
It's getting worse and worse.by - October 15, 2002
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I've used this program since 1994. The first three years I didn't know any better. But for the last few years QB has been getting worse every year, in terms of efficiency, user privacy, and functionality. QB now is more interested in how to get information from the user and pass it along to QB's servers (without the user's knowledge), rather than try to implement simple and useful features in the program that are necessary for running a real world business. The fact that QB croaks with the SP1 upgrade of Windows XP is a clear indicator that QB now is all about how much irrelevant bells and wistles they are bloating the program with, that it chokes with an OS or browser update. QB 2002 is still woefully inadequate in being able to put data on a piece of paper the way a user wants to see it. Some inexperienced 1st year programmer somewhere cannot comprehend that reporting is the most basic feature of an accounting program, and apparenty QB has left the implementation of reporting features on people with no real world experience whatsoever. If you have few transactions to keep track of then QB won't be such an impediment in running your business. But if you are looking for an efficient tool to help you make the necessary financial and business decisions for your small business, look elsewhere.
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5/10
Have to buy expensive supportby - October 8, 2002
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I don't like the payroll system. If you don't buy there payroll support, you have to manually take out the taxes on each paycheck! Would like the option of putting in tax tables manually.
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8/10
Excellent single user productby - October 4, 2002
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I have used Quickbooks for many years and every year it gets better. I have found that using it in a multi user format its not as stable as I would like to see. By far it is a better product to Peachtree regardless of price.
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1/10
Worst business decision I've ever made!by - September 23, 2002
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QB2002 a horrible mistake. We should have seen this comming--Intuit has our FINANCIAL DATA totally horse-tied...If you go with this stuff, you'll be suffering the consequences of your decision for years to come. Ask yourself, 'Can I upgrade and import my old records into new versions of this product--without extraordinary expense and hardship'? Don't count on it. This is the slimiest can of worms I've ever stuck my hands in--a complete con. If you are just starting out, this product is promising--but move to an Intuit upgrade later and you are in for the ride of your life--get your credit card out because this company won't give you an inch of tech support without a yard of cash (check out their website BEFORE YOU BUY--BASIC tech support is absolutely nonexistent unless you prime the cash-pump). I guess Intuit has no more characture than the local siding salesman..too bad...QB used to be a decent product. We are going elswhere--fast.
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3/10
No Support & Crashesby - September 8, 2002
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Poor support for any price, if they don't like the questions or answers that I give they hang up the phone. Program likes to crash in payroll the most , but can crash when it likes to. Support has no answer except that it is my network. But when I tell them I did not have this problem with QB 2001 Pro, I'm told told that nobody has this problem with crashes so it must be me or my system. Looking for a different accounting program.
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3/10
Greedy, arrogant, shortsighted!by - September 7, 2002
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It's sad so many people have their financial lives wrapped up in this kludgy P*O*S. I really liked the earlier versions of this product but Intuit is moving to the dark-$ide. Given the extraordinary lack of any technical support whatsoever, evasive website, and sneaky, spammy programming they will quickly loose their substantial customer base (I'm out of here!). Unfortunately, at this time, there appear to be few reasonable, simple to use, inexpensive accounting alternatives. I've uninstalled the newer version (look for it on Ebay) and will plan my escape from the older version--even if it means going back to excel--I simply can not trust my small business with this unpredictable, buggy accounting software. Makes my stomach turn to see a great product turn this ugly. Intuit, you are greedy, arrogant and shortsighted morons!
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1/10
When is the 2003 comming?by - September 3, 2002
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Hi to you people at Intuit, we are on to you. People are not as stupid as you think. Fix your products and business model or you'll loose business. You had it, now you're loosing it. Do the right thing.
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8/10
Geez!!by - September 3, 2002
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I just would like to say I've been a quickbooks user for years. Im reading all of the negative comments about Quickbooks and support..blah blah blah! Everyone would love if Intuit if they were given free tax tables, free support anything free. I mean have you ever looked at your owner's manual or even looked at you internal help files!! I mean there is a reason they have those features!! Last but not least, I love Quickbooks and couldn't imagine my business without it!
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2/10
bug in progam...no helpby - August 31, 2002
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I will have to pay $40.00+ for the "support" team to walk me through the bug which causes the bank reconciliation to be off by 1 to 3 cents each month. I did not bite on their spendy support programs. They told me they charge these astronomical prices because few users need the support, so therefore when there are bugs in their program, the rest of us have to pay for it. I have used Quickbooks for years, and wished I never converted my Quicken to the Pro 2002 series. My accountant advised me to do this, but I don't think she knows about the inaccuracy of reporting....I just might spend the money for Quicken again. (we cannot convert back to Quicken).. I spent $199.00 for my copy, don't you think they can chip in with the tech support?
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3/10
I wish I wouldn't have gotten it!by - August 30, 2002
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Crashes, no support without paying thru the nose, very slow... I hate it!!
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9/10
Good product - helps to know what you're doingby - August 28, 2002
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I've installed many companies with QuickBooks, and switched many others to it. Some were Peachtree - and we tried to keep them with Peachtree but found little issues (like being able to group a lot of items together on an invoice, but only show the customer one item, wasn't possible to do on the fly). We've never had stability issues - as long as it's run on decent computers. We have problems with non-name brand systems ALL the time. DELL, HP, and reliable systems like that have always worked fine for us. I've never had a problem with the auto update feature. Company file does grow rather large, but all system do that. Most of the problems I've found with Quickbooks are user-error. However, compared to the other programs that are currently available, I still think Qbooks is the best deal.
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4/10
Inflexible and frustratingby - August 23, 2002
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While QuickBooks is relatively easy to use and has a number of useful features, all the benefits are entirely negated by the incredible inflexiblity of the program. Want to include a customer's fax or phone number field on an estimate? Can't do it. Want to email a customer an estimate? QuickBooks advertises this as one the great new features...and sure, you can email your customers estimates AS LONG AS YOU WANT THEM TO SEE YOUR COST AND YOUR MARKUP TOO. The list goes on. Of course, any program will have bugs, but QuickBooks takes the cake for ridiculously easy-to-solve (by decent programming), frustrating problems. Also, don't even consider buying their support plan. I was sucked into it by the lying customer service rep who told me my problem was a simple "How to.." when it was in fact a bug - for which you aren't charged for tech support by the minute. So I thought I would at least get some use out of this $400 support. 5 queries and no answers later, I went away and figured out my own work arounds. Any idiot can work out that phone numbers can be typed into an address field....I don't need to pay someone to tell me that. All in all, an extremely lazily programmed software with absolutely no support.
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6/10
NO MULTIPLE CURRENCYby - August 20, 2002
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I ´M USING MS MONEY FOR BUSSINESS THAT ALLOW MULTIPLE CURRENCYS AND IS GETTING BETTER. IN THE YEARS AHEAD PEOPLE WILL MAKE MOREINTERNATIONAL SALES AND QUIKBOOKS DO NOT SUPPORT THAT.
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8/10
Much improved from 2000 version.by - August 19, 2002
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Attention to details made the difference for me. I was frustrated with QB2000 Pro. The 2002 fixed problems such as Descriptions of Items not appearing when one used the Employee Time Sheet to record Customer charges. This kind of attention to the "little stuff," which can drive the user crazy is what separates the excellent programs from the good ones. The support plan is still way too expensive, particularly considering that Help files, including online Help, is mediocre. It's as if they designed a minimalist Help menu to force you to buy their overpriced support plan. Free or low cost email support would be ideal.
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8/10
Excellent for small businessesby - August 19, 2002
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Accountants like it - I like it and as a consultant I advertise it to my clients for the small business usage and for some home users. It is extremely easy to set up and understand and use.
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10/10
This version is the best yet!!!by - July 3, 2002
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I haven't had any problems using the new Quickbooks 2002. It is easy to use and where else can you get all these features for this price. Who cares if support is expensive. With this version you shouldn't need support unless you are incapable of reading the manual, using the help index, or using the Quickbooks.com support site. This version walks you thru everything from setting up a new company, to setting up your payroll, to doing banking online. Anyone who thinks this version is hard to use should try Peachtree for a day and then they would see that this is truly the easiest accounting software to use.
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1/10
Filled with adsby - June 21, 2002
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The program is buggy, hard to navigate, filled with ads, and is constantly trying to sell Intuit products. I've used Quickbooks for 8 years but am switching to Peachtree.
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2/10
Program is basically worthlessby - June 20, 2002
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Quickbooks limitations are ridiculous. When you can't even do basic accounting entries, what's the point
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4/10
Stick to Small Business Accountingby - June 16, 2002
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We originally bought QuickBooks 2000 because it was an excellent small business accounting package. Now it is just a pipeline for marketing Intuit partner products. One of our favorite features was the email a quote feature. Now the quote is no longer attached. Instead there is a link with promotional references to Intuit's Bill Pay. I have had customers who received quotes call because they were confused and thought I was intuit. I can't afford this sort of confusion
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1/10
Customer Service Stinksby - June 14, 2002
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Intuit service stinks. Purchased my copy from Office Depot and it had previously be purchased and registered. Intuit offered to sell me another copy but no other help. GREED. GREED. GREED.
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2/10
To expensive for some reports which are not needed at allby - June 14, 2002
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First, how comes that this product is rate 9 out of 10 when obviously the payroll feature doesn't work right. Also how comes that remarks from other users are deleted because they showed the true Intuit ripp-off. By comparing QB2002 with other products, and mainly with maintenance, and folow-up costs, QB2002 is the most expensive one on the market. Make no mistake, when as a small business you need help, you got to pay "BIG Bucks". So, some features are nice, but to get them, and get the bugs out of them you have to pay, not that the Company who owns the software pays, no you the Customer has to pay for their mistakes. Of corse there is no way for a small business to proof that the software is "buggy", no they have to pay for it. The Message boards are talking about Accounting issues, which are just handling issues and can be found in the docs, or help system. The main problem is that error are not documented which makes you have to call support for $180+ to get the problem fixed. Another issue is, that having this software installed (even on your LAN) you have to turn off wirewalls, and other security features to allow Intuit reading data from your system and update theirs. As an answer from a tech rep you will hear that it is not their responsibility to make the product work in your environment, you have to change your environment so their product can work. What an ironie isn't it? Since the Editors at CNET are deleting alot of negative reviews which would show this disadvantage of this product, the rating here shouldn't be a meassure for people which are looking for "good" and "affortable" Accounting software.
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6/10
It a good program if you really know every bit & bites of itby - May 30, 2002
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I am using the program since 2000 .I called support but it is useless, simply because I asked them about some stuff in which I been told it can not be done but i did it and I think they do not know there software..so if you can make it work by yourself buy it
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3/10
Can't wait to switch to Peachtreeby - May 23, 2002
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What a horrible program. Clumsy and counter-intuitive. The lack of user-control over reports is beyond belief. A complete dud. I'm working on switching to Peachtree.
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3/10
Many promises and then trapsby - May 21, 2002
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We were lured to QuickBooks because it was cheap and easy to use. It was obvious when we first bought QB in 1999 that it was adapted from a personal management software package, and that its roots were NOT in business. Still there were some very nice features that the package came with that made up for some fundamental weaknesses. For instance, the email quotes saved us quite a bit of time at first. But now it seems every time I do anything Intuit is more interested in creating new "revenue opportunities" than making the software easy to use and fast. I find that the software gets "bogged down" by being busy flashing screen to promote Intuit's other products like bill pay, credit card processing, etc. I even had customers get confused who were because when the received a quote by email they were referred to a link which took them to a page with an advertisement for Intuit! I don't want software that confuses my customers! There are a lot of neat features in the program which would be great if they weren't really just about making extra revenue for Intuit. For instance, the software has the capability to take and process credit cards. This would be great if i could just use the software with my own credit card processor. Instead I have to sign up with a special (and more expensive credit card processor). I am afraid that Intuit duped us into using their software and once they had us hooked they start digging in the claws and extracting the flesh. I would NOT recommend Quicken to a colleague. I would tell them to look at MYOB or Peach Tree. Thanks, Mark Marshall vox: 800-988-1914
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7/10
Quickbooks has their hand in my pocketby - May 9, 2002
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In order to run the payroll feature you must sign up for their update service, $100 per year. The software does not allow you to manually update tax tables. The software is inflexible in the type of reports that can be created.
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2/10
Money Spongeby - May 8, 2002
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I've used QB since Dos Ver 2.0 if that tells you anything. The newer & newest versions are a drain on your PC systems and a drain on your wallet. It is enormously expensive to upgrade these products, tech support doesnt know their hinney from a hole in the ground (then they want to charge you!) and the payroll program cost as much to run & update as it does to pay my payroll. There is absolutely noway to update payroll yourself...so you must cling to the online updates which cost mucho denero $$$$$$
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3/10
dont buyby - May 6, 2002
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Warning dont buy you have to pay for tech support and they will not answer anything even a simple question how to speed up reports.
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3/10
Constant money drainby - May 1, 2002
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1. Technical support--even getting answers to the simplest questions--costs a lot, and you have to keep paying and paying. 2. All sorts of little advertisements to get you to buy add-ons are actually built into the program, so that you're reading they're advertising while trying to do your own bookkeeping. 3. Doesn't use the standard Windows interface for anything, so if you're used to using any other common programs you'll constantly be tabbing into strange places. 4. Although it does a lot of things you need, finding them is difficult. The manual tells you to look at the on-line help, and the on-line help is organized insanely. 5. The longer you use it, the bigger the (single) file for each company gets, so it slows down more and more, takes forever to close. Not really a networkable program even though they call it multiple user. Okay, it only costs $280 or so, so what do I expect?--just good programming, and real help that doesn't gouge me to answer simple questions.
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3/10
Bad programming, expensive and lousy support.by - April 29, 2002
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What a catch 22. Quickbooks is great at doing accounting for small business, if you have money and time to throw away at tech support. I'm an accountant and a programer and they expect me to throw away $400/year just to tell them all the glitches (which they will never admit to) in their software. But what else is out there. For the time being I am suffering through their rudeness and faulsts. But they need to be very wary, b/c when a suitable competitor becomes available, most of their customers will jump ship.
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8/10
I'm really liking this versionby - April 27, 2002
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I had some issues with previous versions, but with this one, thinkgs seem to be working out quite well. Several bugs I had in payroll are now gone.
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2/10
E-mail & customer service SUCKby - April 23, 2002
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It is impossible to e-mail incvoices with Quickbooks 2002. I have also found out that tQuickbooks have purches MYOB and set in place a similar fee for payroll updates,e tc. So that is not a second option either. http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/reviews/review25.html As a small business I though that this program would make things easier especially e-mailing invoices to out international customers, but that dream soon faded. Their customer service options are few and far between.I would not recommend any Intuit program to any one, ever.
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2/10
QuickBooks is Bloat Wareby - April 11, 2002
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After 2 years of not being able to close out and purge the prior years books, because QB keeps EVERY transaction - the only way to get around it is to create a whole new company and then re-input the data. And Tech Support - FORGETABOUTIT - pick up your credit card and kiss the limits good bye, and the bug still won't be fixed. Shameful!
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3/10
Not a worthy upgrade!by - March 24, 2002
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Helped a CPA friend of mine upgrade from QB 99. It turned out to be a frustrating upgrade for the both of us. I thought that it would be a smooth process as I am a professional Software Engineer and QB is only a desktop package. But the number of times I had to decline Intuit's services in various screens...#$*^#. And the product messed up his dial-up connection as well, which I ended up reconfiguring. There were a couple of crashes (I wonder if the product will be more stable on a NT-based platform). I finally suggested that my friend consider Peachtree next time as the time required to move to Peachtree and the next version of QB would probably be about the same.
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3/10
Awkward to use...lousy featuresby - March 24, 2002
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I'd never have guessed that Quicken and Quickbooks could have come from the same company. Quicken is much easier to use - and offers many more features. Too bad it's not a real accounting system.
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4/10
It's a feature quagmireby - March 21, 2002
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Most users will never need 75% of the features that QB offers. However, they do tend to get lost in them. You could take a 3-day course on this product and still not cover everything. I think QB needs to get back to basics. Maybe a QB-lite version for the small business owner that only needs the most basic of features but extremely user friendly... say intuitive? Something they can get up and running on without need of 'support'. MYOB had it right - user friendly, intuitive, and with everything most small business owners need.
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5/10
Not Worth The Hassleby - March 21, 2002
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After reviewing a trial version of Quickbooks, I was impressed with the functionality. However, the majority of user opinions both here and elsewhere are overwhelmingly negative, especially as they relate to customer service. Intuit is obviously blind to this feedback, so Quickbooks is going in the trash. I'll look elsewhere for an applicaiton that have a beter level of overall value and integrity...
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4/10
reports not easyby - March 20, 2002
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I had 5.0 and was happy with it. I wanted a better report maker...I installed 2002 and made mistake of letting it convert quicken files to new program...then i could not get other accounts OFF my reports ..by category....even after i told it to "forget" those accounts...i even tried to reinstall and those accounts still came u pon reports. Tech support was USELESS....
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1/10
Terrible problem "updating" to basic payrollby - March 19, 2002
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Software caused a problem when I attempted to update basic payroll so I could write employee checks. Qbw32 caused a fault stack error. I had to call technical support for a problem the software caused and they indicated I couldn't talk to anyone unless I gave them a credit card number. The problem with their software revenue enhanced for them. It caused the problem and then they wanted to charge me for it. I understand from a friend they kept using QB 99 which doesn't have this problem with payroll. Their accountant updates their tax tables for them every year and you don't have to pay $129 every year for a couple of changes. I would recommend sending a message to this company you will not allow them to treat as Microsoft does with charging for technical support. I would recommend you do the same.
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3/10
Too many hidden costs.by - March 18, 2002
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After spending the money for the program, you find that you need to spend even more to make the payroll work.
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5/10
If product is so good, why not provide support?by - March 17, 2002
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Their support will break you if you ever need to call. They won't even talk tou with a credit card number.
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10/10
Better all aroundby - March 16, 2002
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My company upgrades every time Quickbooks comes out with a new version, and it the small changes really make a difference. Every version makes QB easier and more customizable for the advanced user. No fundamental changes from 2001, though, so if your needs are being met in your current version, don't bother for now.
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1/10
No support from Intuitby - March 14, 2002
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Another software company that does not support their product unless you open your wallet to pay for it. Even within days of purchasing it.
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6/10
Heaven forbid you need tech "support."by - March 13, 2002
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The good: can accept credit cards from customers. The bad: I'd forgotten why I'd always avoided Intuit tech "support" (bad experience with getting "support" for TurboTax started it all I think). ...at any rate, I installed QB Pro 2002 on my computer and it would not restart except in Safe Mode. So I uninstalled it from within Safe Mode and called Intuit for tech "support". I only called because its Web site states: "Free Technical Support for Installation, Upgrade and Product Defects-- All registered QuickBooks users are eligible to receive free telephone support in the following areas: Installation Assistance, when you need help installing the latest version of QuickBooks or the last previous version for the first time. Installation assistance for earlier versions is charged at the current bill-by-the-minute rate. Upgrade Assistance, when you are moving to the latest version of QuickBooks from an earlier version of QuickBooks or from Quicken. Product Defects (software bugs) for all currently supported versions of QuickBooks. Free telephone support for US versions of QuickBooks is available at (888) 320-7276 weekdays from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. Pacific Time. You will be required to provide billing information, but you will not be charged for help in the areas identified above." Well...not so simple. The Intuit phone "gatekeeper" insisted that I would be charged for this call because--since I had already installed and then uninstalled the program--this was no longer an installation "FOR THE FIRST TIME." Can we say Catch-22? You cannot "register" the program---another requirement for the free support---without installing it first, but if you install it you cannot get the support??!! Sheesh... And I'm not even mentioning the bugs in the data conversion from Quicken Home & Biz 2002 to QB Pro 2002 (another supposed reason for free tech support), or the phone hang times, and dropped calls, and 4-hour callback window, and the nasty "gatekeepers" who disconnected me and when I called back insisted that I go through the entire credit card thing again even though I had a tracking number (he said that because I had never actually spoken to a techie as yet, that the tracking number was worthless. I had not spoken to a techie because they dropped my call while I was on hold!) And I thought Microsoft was arrogant. On the up side, the techie that I finally connected with told me immediately that there would be no charge and was very polite and made an effort to help. We were able to get the program installed, but as to the data conversion problems it was recommended that I just "re-enter the data" since it would probably be quicker than trying to get a program fix. hmmmm....
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2/10
Filled with bugsby - March 13, 2002
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Crashes often, has to rebuild file frequently, upgrades/updates are painful to install throughout the office. If you upgrade one computer you have to upgrade ALL at the same time. Takes forever and a day to open and/or quit the program. Saved data often reverts to previous state and changes must be entered again. Don't even get me started on what they refer to as "customer service". Their help desk is NO help.
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2/10
Emailing invoices is impossible.by - March 11, 2002
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One of the best features of QB 2001 was the ability to email invoices instantly. Now, in order to send an invoice to a client via email I must go through 10 minutes of screens on the QB/Intuit website, continually turning down their services, and unfortunately I'm pretty sure that I'm adding email addresses to their database as the email is forced through their server. How I regret upgrading from 2001, which sent an invoice through my own server using my own email program. Charging for customer service is also highly objectionable to me, especially considering the high price tag on this item. The new features are definitely NOT worth the price.
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8/10
Paid for Itselfby - March 11, 2002
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As a web site designer and hosting provider, I bought this upgrade just for the option of emailing invoices. I have paid for the program in saved postage and printing in just a few months. I still am getting acquainted with the new interface, but for the ease of billing (saved time) and saved money I am very happy with it.
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3/10
Getting worse with each release.by - March 11, 2002
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I've been a QB user for years, and used to have very high regard for for Intuit and Quickbooks. Not now. It's not enough any more that you buy their software - now they lock you into paying for subscriptions just to be able to use the software features, and they force you buy the new versions of Quickbooks because they don't make their subscription features backward compatible. You can't even talk to tech support without giving them a credit card number first, which is basically a blank check. Supposedly they won't charge you if the problem is their fault, but try getting them to ever own up to that! Check out the Quickbooks forums on Intuit's website or the Quickbooks group in Google Groups before you buy - lots of very unhappy customers and more than a few serious problems with the current versions of QB.
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8/10
Monopolistic softwareby - March 11, 2002
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So, when will this software be available for other, more stablke and more scure operating systems, such as Linux? This software appears to fit into the Microsoft monopoly concept, as it works only with Microsoft operating systems, indicating that Intuit supports the Microsoft monopoly. Perhaps, one day, Intuit might wake up, and, realise that people exist in the world, who have more sense than to use MS Windows, for reasons of stability and system security. And, perhaps, one day, Intuit will cease to support the obvious Microsoft monopoly, that Intuit imposes with its software. Until then, the Intuit products are irrelevant, as the company is clearly monopolistic, imposing the requirement that the operating system used with its software, is exclusively Microsoft.
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8/10
NICE! But...by - March 11, 2002
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Great features, good user interface (Jack don't shoot), easy to use. I found MYOB next in line then Peachtree. EXCEPT: If you go to your Startup folder you will find a program that QB installed there that kept in touch with a server at QB. I was getting a cookie every 5 or 10 seconds. Horrible. And thank you Norton Internet Security for telling me that it kept getting cookies that frequently.
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6/10
nickel and dimeby - March 11, 2002
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I use this program and I like it, but the monthly charge so I can keep the tax tables is too much. And the big fee for any time that I call in for a question that is a problem with their software is a pain. Everytime I call they say I need to buy some update, or pay a service fee or pay for something else. Good program, lousy service
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6/10
Overprized servicesby - March 11, 2002
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I have been a QB user since version 1.1 and have upgraded regularly. Unfortunately, it's now got to a point where the expensive services needed to support it like the payroll tax tables, no longer make it worthwhile to continue with upgrades. I will seriously look at alternative programs next time I need to upgrade. Paying $129/year or whatever for tax tables to support 1 employee is ridiculous! And so is nickel and diming on features. No more QB upgrades for me. It's a shame after using it for the last 10+ years.
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3/10
Difficult Upgrade from QB'99by - March 11, 2002
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It was infuriatingly difficult to upgrade from Quickbooks 99 to 2002. The upgrade forced me to load IE5.5 which then prevented QB2002 from properly recognizing AOL as my internet gateway. This was a huge problem as QB won't allow me to process payroll without paying for their expensive payroll table updates. I find that their product has moved away from ease of use, and customer needs, to forcing customers into buying their over-priced services. Rather than relying the merits of their product as a revenue stream, they are forcing customers into upgrades and service subscriptions. I find it deplorable. I was forced to contact Intuit to register my product (I had to call on the phone rather than do it on-line because the 2002 installation screwed up my internet connection). During this call their focus was on trying to trick me into thinking I had to buy a service plan. Not once did they ask how I liked the product or if I had any problems with it. When I called customer service about the inability to download the tax tables that I was forced to subscribe to, they told me it would cost $40/10 minutes to have the question answered. Rather than taking 5 minutes to help me with a problem that their installation caused, they seemed very focused on trying to squeeze more money out of me. If I knew 2.5 years ago, what I know now, I would take a very serious look at Peach Tree.
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7/10
Excellent for the non-accounting typesby - March 10, 2002
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This is an excellent progaram for non accountant types - good reports for collections, financials, sales snap shots etc. The negative is that they still have not come up with a decent Network version. It is frustrating when an extra person is connected and sometimes takes up to 10mins to save a file and thats with up to date hardware
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10/10
The best accounting program.by - March 8, 2002
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We switched from Quicken to QuickBooks 2002--definitely much better. I have also tried Peachtree, which appears to be a good program.
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7/10
Good software with a spyware wartby - March 7, 2002
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Quickbooks 2002 the program is a good enough product, as the review points out. My problem is that once we upgraded to QB2002 my proxy server suddenly started dialing out about once an hour. Checking the logs showed hourly attempts to contact Quickbooks -- and our accounting computer was just turned on, not even running Quickbooks most of the time! Quickbooks 2002 installs a small agent on the computer which loads at boot and runs in the background continually. I have not gotten the company to tell me what it does or how to disable it yet.