Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Well, here`s my take on your question. Hate to be biased, but I advocate
avoiding QuickBooks at all costs whenever possible. I`m not an expert on the alternatives, all I DO know is that QB is almost always a mistake.  Reasons are numerous:  #1, Intuit is just a greedy non-consumer oriented outfit.  They gouge you every opportunity they get; if it isn`t with grossly overpriced add-on services, it`s with premature obsolesence which forces you to buy new software and updates at inflated prices.  #2, I`ve used QB for many many years, and I can tell you the latest product is nowhere near as good as earlier editions.  Too complicated, too slow, useless and needless buttons and whistles, too much advertising and self-promo, too many bugs, takes up far too much space on hard drive, and too darn expensive.  So in summary, I can`t difinitively tell you which QB alternative is best, but I can absolutely tell  you that I would avoid QB at all costs.

What I would like to know is if QuickBooks is so bad why are you still using it after all these years. What makes you stay with the software even though you hate it?  Must be something the other software doesn`t have or do for you.  Come on tell us.

Don`t know why you seem to doubt the sincerity of my conviction, as I thought I already addressed  the issues you brought in your reply post.  But no problem, I don`t mind expanding a little.  I already said that I am not particularly familiar with the alternate programs out there, so your theory that the others lack something isn`t the case.  And why do I continue to use QB?  Well, as I explained, I have found the newer versions to be far inferior to earlier products, and I have noticed a steady decline in the over the last 2 or so upgrades I have invested in, so for that reason I can assure you this will be the last version of QB I will ever purchase; however, since I already paid for my 08 version I see no reason not to make the best of it until QB makes it obsolete and forces me to upgrade to something else.  I must also add I have had some professional contact with QB management, and was thoroughly unimpressed.  One in particular was one of the the most crude, obscene. unprofessional  individuals I have ever met in my entire business career.  Maybe I am being unreasonable myself  in judging the entire basket based on one rotten egg, but I can`t help myself--as an honest businessperson I am just sensitive to the caliber of individiuals and companies with whom I deal, and every time I think of QB I can`t help think of this particular jerk spewing out f-bombs in every other word of his normal conversation.

I don`t doubt the sincerity of your feelings, and please forgive me if I came across as rude.  It`s just if something bothered me so much I would have gotten rid of it a long time ago.  If you have the name of who treated you so badly in QuickBooks please let me know in a private email. I have a few contacts myself at Intuit and I like you do not appreciate that kind of "Customer Service".

My experience with software and why I settled on QuickBooks was that for the dollar spent, it was the most bang for the buck for people inexperienced in accounting to use.

PeachTree for example is an excellent software for small business but it was originally designed for a person experienced as an accountant. So if you have accounting knowledge and need software that wil do LIFO, FIFO with inventory, this is for you. 

Microsoft accounting also is supposed to be very good, (cannot relate first hand). I tried to find out something about it from MicroSoft but gave up after 15 screens.  I have also heard that is not going to be around much longer.  This is only rumor have no facts to back it up.

As to costs, yes they come out with a new updated software every year but there is no obligation to buy.  I recommend to my clients that they update every other year.  Again the way I look at it is that the software is the skeleton of the business.  A new copy of QuickBooks Pro is at retail, $199.00, on my website I give the client my discount of 20%, but if they go to Costco or BJ`s they can probably get it cheaper than that.  So assuming the average cost is $150.00 a year then you are talking $12.50 a month. I don`t think that is gouging the customer.  If you want to see gouging then take a look at some mid level software. There the initial charge can be $30,000 and the annual support another $30,000.

You are right about all the promos that pop up but you can stop that by going to your preferences.

I am not sure which add on services you are referring to so I can`t comment.

Again maybe I am a bit defensive and came across to you wrong. If I did I`m sorry.

I make my living helping people to use QuickBooks to its full advantage, not just as a check writer and invoice producer but as a managment tool. So IMHO it`s a great software at a good price point.

No problem. My email address is CoachMike@BusinessProfits.Com.  The web site is www.businessprofits.com .  I also have a newsletter regarding QuickBooks Tips I call Profit Nuggets which I encourage you to sign up for. It`s free.

Have a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

I really love Peachtree Accounting Software. I have been an accountant for 17 years and have tried them all. I am not to fond of Quick Books for professional applications but I believe it is a great program for the novice small business owner. Just my opinion.

I was wondering about QuickBooks too, but Microsoft`s products are always just awful.  Their bloated code and memory leaks just make them sooo slow.   

I have heard good things about Peachtree but it looks like it`s a more complex system for bigger businesses than mine.




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Hi Melanie,

I can understand your hesitation about software. As you say Peachtree is a very good software but it was originally designed for accountants.  QuickBooks was designed for the small business owner with limited or no knowledge of accounting.

Do get an idea of how it works if you go to my web site www.businessprofits.com and click on the sample session of a class I offer you can get an idea of how the program looks and works.

Mike Crosa, QuickBooks Coach