ATX $50 svgs today

[JenMO]

Received a call from ATX saying they extended the 10% discount and if I would renew today before 4 est I could save another $50. I don't really like having to make a 1 hr decision. Anyone else receive this call? He also told me that there is no money back guarantee, 45 days from renewal is all. How do you know if you like in 45 days when you don't receive for 6 months. I didn't have any trouble this year, and I don't want to learn a new program, but what is the general consensus about last year's product? Will this years be better or worse? Any ideas?

[Chief]

Atx

Go to the ATX message board for additional information. No I detest these high pressure techniques.

[wvtaxguy]

For what it is worth....

I purchased ATX MAX for the upcoming year at the price of $895. I believe this was a substantial discount - more than 15% over regular prices and the price was guaranteed for three years. I needed to upgrade from ProSeries which I used for 5 years plus. My clientele now includes corporations, partnerships and exempt orgs. ProSeries didn't support my state business returns. Although I felt under a little pressure I experimented with ATX for a C corp extension I did and it seemed to work fine. And....even though I didn't commit to purchase until after the deadline the ATX rep gave me she worked with me the following day to make sure I got the quoted price. Hope I didn't error on this but needed to do something and I liked ATX against the others given price and menu of services.

[JohnH]

I like the ATX software, have used it for 3 years now, and although I'm evaluating others I will probably stay with ATX for the upcoming year. That is, provided they have a product equal to or better than this year and don't pull any other stunts to alienate their users.

But there's no way I'm going to commit this early to an unknown product from a company that's in a state of transition before I have a chance to evaluate it. I don't think it's worth saving what amounts to the fee for one medium-size return in exchange for making a commitment for how I will prepare all the returns for an entire tax season. Sounds like buying a "pig in a poke", as they say in the NC foothills. Their 45-day policy is laughable, IMO. I'll renew in January provided they meet my requirements, and will plan on having sufficient time to evluate it before the guarantee period runs out.

I didn't get the call, but if I had I would have told them the additional $50 doesn't change anything. I would have also told them their marketing of a product to professionals in the same way weekly-payment insurance policies & vacuum cleaners are sold isn't the best approach, but I'm sure they wouldn't listen. Apparently the tactic is successful enough to satisfy the decision makers in their marketing department, so they stick to it even though it makes them look like a bunch of unemployed encyclopedia salesmen. Next thing you know, they will be offering toaster pvens & coffee makers. I've been joking about that on the other Forum, but honestly it wouldn't surprise me if they tried it at some point.

[JenMO]

$895 would be a great price. They are pricing me at over $1000, even with the discounts. It seems like they give a better price to switch than to keep you. Guess I'll see what offer they throw at me later in the month.

[Chief]

All you guys

the prices of all these companies is negotiable. The prices is what they can get. The first company I dealt with had the salesman who fit the model of a used car salesman. If you play the cards wisely YOU DETERMINE THE PRICE iT IS WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY.
Forgive me for shouting.

[Matt Sova]

Software

For top of the line software the price is not negotiable. If you purchase UltraTax before 6/15ish you get a 10% discount. After that the price is what it is.

[Lion]

Upgrade?

You're UPGRADING from ProSeries to ATX?! I would think that you'd go in the other direction. An upgrade from ProSeries Pro would be Lacerte pay per return or the full product.

[wvtaxguy]

Basic not Pro

You're UPGRADING from ProSeries to ATX?! I would think that you'd go in the other direction. An upgrade from ProSeries Pro would be Lacerte pay per return or the full product.

I don't believe I said I used ProSeries Pro. I have used ProSeries "Basic" the past several years. I was able to use pay per return for my Federal 1120s, 1065s and 990. However, WV is apparently one of the few states ProSeries doesn't support on a pay per return. Consequently, I do consider ATX an upgrade in my specific case.

[Lion]

Sorry

Sorry. I made an assumption and shouldn't have. I used ATX for many years. Last off-season tested other software. ProSeries was easy to use, had better diagnostics than ATX, was more professional on the entities, moved things to the states better on the individuals, answered the phones at support, was just more of a pleasure to use than ATX for the short period I evaluated it. And, since most software confused me after being set in my ways for years, that was a compliment to ProSeries. I reserved ProSeries, but ended up moving up to ProSystem fx to handle my complex returns. If you're moving from ProSeries to ATX, really work on your returns from now until the start of tax season. Make sure your depreciation schedules are accurate. And, get to know the folks over on the unofficial message board ATXCommunity.com now so you'll know which ones to listen to during tax season. The price is still good, but I'm putting my money into my software and not rent or fancy folders or.... Good luck.

[wvtaxguy]

Thanks for your input....

I really did enjoy using ProSeries for all the reasons you mention the past several years. As humans I feel we get attached to things familiar to us and tend to resist change. Remember switching from Lotus 1-2-3 to Excel?? Getting me to buy into Excel was like pulling teeth!

My stumbling block with ProSeries is the lack of WV state products. I know I was in a pinch to do something about it and jumped at the price waved in front of me by ATX. I did look at other software.....Drake (found it too cumbersome); TaxSlayer Pro (just didn't feel right to me), etc.

Thanks again for your insights on ATX. I'm trying to think positive about them but will be willing to switch again next year if things don't turn out well with ATX.