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Catmandale
USA
67 Posts |
 Posted - 03/01/2003 : 17:30:03
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I just had to share a little news with my friends here on CADO:
I just recieved a letter from Xactware today telling me that, as of January 1, 2004, I no longer own the program and must now lease it. Funny, I don't remember any of my checks bouncing.
Do they sell cars too? Snake Oil?
Just last year they sneaked in and took out the support portion of the yearly support and upgrade fee ($600 I have paid every freakin year!) Now its Chat or pony up the credit card.
For a program that freezes, locks and takes over your computer at whim.
These guys need to wear masks. Most thieves do.
I guess you could say I'm irritated.
Over the years, I have been primarily using Xactimate, often encountering and overcoming the shortfalls of the program in order to use the software I was required to.
It seems to me that now is the time for John and Gale to step up and grab some market share. I gotta think that I am not the only person to get irate over this latest blast from Utah.
If somebody has a good explanation for what they are doing, I'd just love to hear it.
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"When we thought that we had all the answers,
suddenly all the questions changed."
Mario Benedetti (1920); Uruguayan writer.
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KileAnderson
USA
875 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2003 : 17:46:30
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Dale,
If you read the documentation that comes with most software these days, or I should say since Microsoft started producing operating systems for IBM in the 80's, you never OWN a program. What you own is a license to use that program under the conditions stipulated by the owner of the software, which can be changed at any time. |
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Catmandale
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2003 : 18:42:16
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Kile,
Thanks for your response. I understand licensing, but I think that the manner in which Xactware marketed and sold their "product" may have clouded some of the licensing issues.
My sales agreement uses the term "sell", not license, although it mentions the licensing agreement(not sent with the sales agreement at that time. Now you have to go to the web site, sign on to eService and download the agreement as a pdf file.)
The real basis of my outrage is elemental...they reniged on our agreement...all those who "bought" the software thought they were truly owning something, if not tangible, then a promise to fair treatment. (Sound familiar, adjusters?)
They went on to sell Support and Upgrade packages each year, which should reasonably account for the ongoing maintenance of the package. By the way, the people who leased received this benefit as past of the lease cost.
At the end of the day, the choice becomes, do you do business with someone who can't be trusted?
No.
The reason most of us use it is because the carrier wants it - more of them are changing over to other, more efficient and appropriate software designed with the adjusters needs in mind. That is a good thing, and undoubtedly fueled in part by dissatisfaction with Xactimate.
I've always been a little wary as Xactware sold the contractors, telling them it would "maximize their profits, all the while selling carriers on the promise that it would guarantee they would only pay what they owe. Double speak.
Truly, I am kind of hesitant to go into this rant, knowing that there are two sides to every story, but they have really pushed my button with this. Bear in mind that I am just a crazed, wornout old road warrior, and take it with a grain of salt.
Dale Strain |
"When we thought that we had all the answers,
suddenly all the questions changed."
Mario Benedetti (1920); Uruguayan writer.
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tomgriffin56
USA
88 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2003 : 21:40:22
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| I agree with everything you are saying. If it was possible for me to use anything else I would but I am kinda stuck because Xactimate is required by the companies I work for. Is it true that their main claim to fame and the major impetus for their rise in market share the fact that one of the major carriers started using them on their computers that they supplied to their adjusters? |
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Catmandale
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2003 : 23:48:23
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Tom,
I think it was 1987 or thereabouts. I was working for Big Red. We were using a program called CompuClaim. It had number codes and you circled the applicable code on sheets for an input operator to use. It was pretty straight-forward and elegant in its' simplicity. It worked fine.
I remember being totally suprised at the monstrosity that was to replace it - Xactimate - and wondering whose brother-in-law owned that company. I heard rumors (no real info) that Big Red bankrolled the developement. Who knows? |
"When we thought that we had all the answers,
suddenly all the questions changed."
Mario Benedetti (1920); Uruguayan writer.
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KileAnderson
USA
875 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2003 : 00:10:34
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| Dale, are you saying that you would rather go back to punchcards? Times change. I much prefer being the one putting it in the computer and having control over the entire claim. I have no problem with Xactimate. I'm still getting used to the new version, but then again, I don't have to pay for it. |
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Catmandale
USA
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2003 : 00:56:14
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Kile,
Actually, they weren't punch cards but the input sheets had circle numbers. As with Xactimate, you either do tick sheets or input yourself...but back in those days, we had a lot of support personnel and not very many computers.
I had the pleasure of using Simsol for a while a few years back and found it easy to use and innovative in the features offered in comparison to Xactimate.
Don't get me wrong, I know how to use Xactimate...I've trained people in its' use and written more than a few estimates. It can do the job. But I think that other products do a better job, while being responsive and appreciative of their users' needs.
Your earlier mention of Microsoft/Gates is on point. The user base currently dictates what is being used as a standard. That can change, though. I remember when Lotus 123 and WordPerfect was the only game in town.
Frankly, when next year comes up and I no longer buy their product, they will survive. Unless enough people vote the same way. I will continue to use it if I have to, if its free to me. But no dinero from moi.
Dale
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"When we thought that we had all the answers,
suddenly all the questions changed."
Mario Benedetti (1920); Uruguayan writer.
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canduss
USA
120 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 23:05:53
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| ........all these comments should have been described under the before topic "Xactimate"......presented on 8-29-02 @ 7:53am by the respected author Kelley....anyway I definately think Xactimate is taking advantage of their past loyal subscribers based on their recent actions as mentioned above..... as well as my recent experience & explanations of continued subscription inconsistencies.......Where is Xactimates competition......is it INTEGRA???? I hear some TWIA vendors reward the useage of Integra by $6.00 on fee schedule per claim handled........ |
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acb
1 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2003 : 13:41:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Catmandale
I just had to share a little news with my friends here on CADO:
I just recieved a letter from Xactware today telling me that, as of January 1, 2004, I no longer own the program and must now lease it. Funny, I don't remember any of my checks bouncing.
Do they sell cars too? Snake Oil?
Just last year they sneaked in and took out the support portion of the yearly support and upgrade fee ($600 I have paid every freakin year!) Now its Chat or pony up the credit card.
For a program that freezes, locks and takes over your computer at whim.
These guys need to wear masks. Most thieves do.
I guess you could say I'm irritated.
Over the years, I have been primarily using Xactimate, often encountering and overcoming the shortfalls of the program in order to use the software I was required to.
It seems to me that now is the time for John and Gale to step up and grab some market share. I gotta think that I am not the only person to get irate over this latest blast from Utah.
If somebody has a good explanation for what they are doing, I'd just love to hear it.
To be most correct, you do own the software. You own all previous versions of the software up to and including 2002. 2003 will require you to pay a monthly subscription fee to be used. |
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Xactimate
Forum Locked
