Atx Help!!!!!!!!!!

[MAMalody]

Thanks to everyone for your help and shared info. The shameful thing is, that just before tax season, I was considering the taxpayer's alliance for only 299.00 with unlimited e-file, all the business forms, and the software seemed pretty good. But I decided that ATX was worth 390.00, per e-file fees, and no business forms. STUPID decsion on my part!!!!

A decision is only bad after the fact. When you made your analysis, based upon your client base, what you needed in a program, input from colleagues and what programs were available for what price...you made a good decision based upon the facts and circumstances available to you. That is a good decision. If it turns out that there are subsequent difficulties that you were not aware of....well, that information was not available at the time. Now, if you knew you would have problems of a magnitude that you find unacceptable....then you made a "stupid" decision.

Having said that, there has never been any software that has not had problems with the software or tech support. That is one of the reasons we are continually updating our software and all software mfgs have a tech support division.

The big issue with ATX now, is probably more mgmt philosophy change than technical in nature. They appear to be less customer service oriented than in the past...but then I have never been impressed with CCH so I am prejudiced.

Just my two cents.

[BOB W]

"I told you and I told you not to...."

Don't be too smug about it -- that immune business might eventually apply even to your big-gun package (Lacerte? Ultra-Tax?). Either of them may do in the other at any time and then where would you be if you were with the smaller fish that got eaten?

P,S. Besides, see what Super Mom said -- things are pickin' up and though there may be much wailing and gnashing of teeth over the next hundred days or so, I still have my $750 price tag to keep me warm.

P.P.S. Say there, Super Mom -- how quickly we forget. A post or two ago you were pleading for mercy -- a successful EF transmission later, you're ready to (yuk-yuk) bill 'em for inconvenience. Let me know if they pay up 'cause they also owe me upwards of about ten free tax packages (whatever that's worth).

You are right, I am being smug but I have earned that right after being burned too many times by taxware companies. Now I pay the higher price (they won) because I'm too old to go through software changes again. It took years off my life the last time,with all the fustration it caused and time consumed.

I don't just do tax returns like some on this board. If that was the case I would just be severly inconvienced. My accounting side is where the problem lies and my tax and accounting systems are intergrated so when one changes the other is effected at the same time, that is where the problems begin.

You betcha I'm smug, but in an informative dutch uncle way. >> To be helpful.............

[jim s]

atxers

i had atx when i was starting out and it was to much for me to handle, i finally switch to TAX ACT this way you purchase only what your gonna use and you can purchase one state at a time, you don't have to buy all the state if your not gonna use them.

[Black Bart]

Hey Bob/Super Mom

Our problems are over -- I found this message posted (1-18-08) on the ATX board from Lenny Holt, Sr. Vice President, CCH Small Firm Services. I quote (partially):

"I wanted to...apologize to those customers who have had trouble accessing ATX support this week. We have been working around the clock to address the reasons for the temporary problems -- most of which were the result of the implementation of a new phone system. Call times have been dramatically reduced today and we believe the issues will be completely resolved by the end of day today. We thank you for your patience...want to reassure...our customers...we are committed...to deliver a high level of service...in the future."

While I'm usually skeptical of these puffs of wind, I got through to support in less than five minutes two or three times yesterday, so evidently they're giving it the old college try. Whether their efforts improve access to support only or for all other things remains to be seen, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[BOB W]

Our problems are over -- I found this message posted (1-18-08) on the ATX board from Lenny Holt, Sr. Vice President, CCH Small Firm Services. I quote (partially):

"I wanted to...apologize to those customers who have had trouble accessing ATX support this week. We have been working around the clock to address the reasons for the temporary problems -- most of which were the result of the implementation of a new phone system. Call times have been dramatically reduced today and we believe the issues will be completely resolved by the end of day today. We thank you for your patience...want to reassure...our customers...we are committed...to deliver a high level of service...in the future."

While I'm usually skeptical of these puffs of wind, I got through to support in less than five minutes two or three times yesterday, so evidently they're giving it the old college try. Whether their efforts improve access to support only or for all other things remains to be seen, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

BB> I hope this tax season goes well for you and the other uses. I would never wish a bad tax season on anyone. I'm sure CCH has a better plan than leaving ATX users out in the cold. I would take CCH at its word, for now.

Sincerely,
Your Smugness

[Black Bart]

Thanx Bob,

BB> I hope this tax season goes well for you and the other uses. I would never wish a bad tax season on anyone. I'm sure CCH has a better plan than leaving ATX users out in the cold. I would take CCH at its word, for now.

I was just kidding and your advice is good advice -- I've wished several times that I'd stayed with Lacerte (what are you using now?). As you said previously, it's killer stressful and I'm also gettin' too old to hassle 'n' rassle with starting all over.

Snag and Chief told me last year to try TaxSlayer, while Dennis and Sandy said they are pleased with Tax Act (I think that's the one they said). Just when I get mad enough to throw in the towel and order something else right this minute, the service starts picking up -- everything went real smoothly yesterday, so I guess we'll just wait and see.

Best regards, Bart

[BOB W]

I was just kidding and your advice is good advice -- I've wished several times that I'd stayed with Lacerte (what are you using now?). As you said previously, it's killer stressful and I'm also gettin' too old to hassle 'n' rassle with starting all over.

Snag and Chief told me last year to try TaxSlayer, while Dennis and Sandy said they are pleased with Tax Act (I think that's the one they said). Just when I get mad enough to throw in the towel and order something else right this minute, the service starts picking up -- everything went real smoothly today, so I guess we'll just wait and see.

Best regards, Bart

After many years, almost 20, I was with Pencil Pushers ( they sold out). Then went with Microvision, the current owners of Accountants World. They sold out to Ultratax (Creative Solutions). That last change was the pits because now I was forced to change my G/L supplier due to taking too long to upgrade to windows. (DOS program). XP blew dos all to hell.

So now I'm paying top dollar for my networked full tax and gl programs, close to $9,000, but getting super efficency. 500 personals and 65 corp/entities writeup and tax returns. It is just me and my wife. She does the data entry and bank recs. The $9,000 represents 4.5% of my revenue.

I'll be upgrading my fee structure this year to absorb at least $5,000 of those fees ( That's only $10 per tax return and I probably will get more than that when all is said and done). I pretty much do that every year except last year. I was still running crazy the last couple of years because I found out I had diabeties. (Probably due to the major stress of the last sell out of MicroVision and the change in GL programs).Took a while to get it under control but now I'm back on track, I hope. For all I know I could of been in the 300+ reading range before I knew I had it.

We accountants suffer from a lack of exercise and poor eating habits especially during tax season which can represents almost 6 months of the year. Get your blood sugar checked, this goes for any age.

[Black Bart]

Hard to believe, but

... message posted (1-18-08) on the ATX board from Lenny Holt, Sr. Vice President, CCH Small Firm Services...apologize to those customers who have had trouble accessing ATX support this week. We have been working around the clock to address...problems...result of...a new phone system. Call times...dramatically reduced today...issues will be...resolved by the end of day...we are committed...to deliver a high level of service...in the future."

my ATX problems have returned. After V-P Lenny swooped in the other day and chewed out the support staff, phone-hold time dropped to less than five minutes.

Apparently Lenny has stopped chewing and (like Elvis) has left the building -- phone-hold time is back up 1/2 hour again (although I am, nevertheless, grateful since it averaged 1-2 hours before Lenny).

[ChEAr$]

wait time

my ATX problems have returned. After V-P Lenny swooped in the other day and chewed out the support staff, phone-hold time dropped to less than five minutes.

Apparently Lenny has stopped chewing and (like Elvis) has left the building -- phone-hold time is back up 1/2 hour again (although I am, nevertheless, grateful since it averaged 1-2 hours before Lenny).

for Taxwise is at least 25 minutes nowdays. they are all located at Rome, GA now, you
know, so they "CCH" probably mandated trimming down the phone people for both of
their subs.