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Ads Suck
Level 3

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

Since we run basic payroll and are currently running QB Desktop Pro 2018 we are being FORCED to upgrade by the end of May 2021.

 

The problem is that there is NOWHERE to actually buy the QB Desktop Pro 2021 version on the QB website.

 

I just want the standalone desktop version. Not the subscription version labeled 'Plus', not the online version.

 

I spent over an hour yesterday being given the run around by customer support who kept pointing me at the subscription and the online versions.  They insisted that if I wanted the desktop non-PLUS version that they had to buy it for me.

 

This support person had NO CLUE whatsoever and refused to give me a link to BUY the 2021 non-Plus version for the $399.  I've used QB 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 ... and I'm more than frustrated by not being able to simply buy and download the version that I'm being FORCED to upgrade to.

 

AARRGGGHHH!

 

Anyone have the product page for the non-PLUS standalone QB Desktop Pro 2021???

33 Comments 33
DebSheenD
QuickBooks Team

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

Hi, Ads Suck .

I appreciate the time for letting us know the results of the steps you've done.

I understand that you wanted to upgrade your QuickBooks to 2021 but the website is not working. I recommend you contacting our Customer Service Support to help you.

Before that, you can check this link QuickBooks Pro 2021 if this is working, if not you can now contact our support team.

Here's how:
 

  1. Open QuickBooks Desktop account.
  2. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
  3. Select Contact Us.
  4. Give a brief description of your issue, then select Let's talk, and then choose a way to connect.


I've also included this article that will help you on how to Download QuickBooks Pro 2021.

Please let me know if you have additional questions in upgrading QuickBooks. I'm always here to help.
 

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

@Ads Suck 

They redesigned the website and we are unable to purchase the one time license of QBD 2021 directly. Canadian version has been implementing this policy. You may still purchase the licenses thru a partner/reseller. Make sure they promised you to give the unregistered license and the activation code prior to placing your order. Contact us in private should you need any help. 

Ads Suck
Level 3

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

Your customer service gave me the run around for over an hour!

 

It's really a HORRIBLE way to treat your customers -- forcing them to update and then not allowing them to buy the update product.  QB is really treating their loyal long time customers like absolute crap by trying to force them into a subscription model. 

 

Bottom line -- all your LINKS just point to the ONLINE or the PLUS (Subscription) model.

 

QB is definitely NOT on the side of small businesses anymore.

Ads Suck
Level 3

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

It really is horrible business practice.  I actually was given the link to purchase about 3 months ago -- but since have lost it.  

 

I now have 3 years to find another product for my small business.

 

Ads Suck
Level 3

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

No. This did not solve the problem. Customer Service was a dead end rabbit hole where I wasted an hour of my life trying to get the CS rep to understand that I wanted the link for the non-PLUS version of the product.  At one point they said that they had to buy it for me.  As they didn't understand my question and kept insisting that the product was on the 'product' page -- and it isn't. They didn't understand what the non-PLUS option was.  I gave them the link to the download product page to show them that the product exists -- and 10 minutes later they gave me back the same link telling me to download it and that they would buy it for me -- but would not allow me to buy the product.

 

So no. Your help and advice was NOT useful -- as it puts you into a rabbit hole.

 

This entire process should have been a no-brainer 90 second exercise. Log into QB, find the product, buy it, download it.  Instead it's a now multi-hour run-around with NO solution other than to buy it from Amazon.

 

QB is not for small businesses anymore.

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???


@Ads Suck wrote:

This entire process should have been a no-brainer 90 second exercise. Log into QB, find the product, buy it, download it.  Instead it's a now multi-hour run-around with NO solution other than to buy it from Amazon.

 

Afaik, Amazon won't help to provide the activation code. 

Ads Suck
Level 3

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

Amazon does provide the license key -- if you buy the CD - it comes with the product, if you buy the download version the license key is listed in your downloads section.

TNVAZ
Level 1

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

I have Quickbooks Accountant Desktop 2018, Enhanced Payroll and ProSeries with Docusign.  You would think I would have someone to talk to who could help.  I tried that Live Chat option.  They offered $649.00 to buy the Accountant Desktop 2021 upgrade for 1 person!  Why call it an "upgrade" if the cost is the same to buy it new.  No returning customer loyalty reward???  They routed me repeatedly to Online version or .... to save money I could buy the ProAdvisor Premier Software Bundle for $449/yr.  I don't want to rent my software.  I don't want to house it online and risk it being hacked.  Don't even get me started on the joys of my Cox internet crashing with everyone working from home.  The last few times I've updated my software I've been allowed 30 days to ask questions before issues have gotten me a "if you didn't pay for a support contract, we can't speak to you without buying a contract."  Really? You won't support your own product when it doesn't work?  I still have 4 merchant service accounts tied to the wrong emails because the person setting it up mixed them up.  This is what happens when you buy into the one stop/one source solution for integration.  They know that they have you and they don't care.  They know what a pain it will be to switch.  They are making it more attractive for me to look around.

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

@TNVAZ 

Why are you using QBD Accountant, not Pro/Premier? Do you run a bookkeeping company?

TNVAZ
Level 1

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

I do run a bookkeeping company, but am scaling back to just doing the bookkeeping/accounting for my 6 companies.  After a lot of research, I'm going to buy the Pro+ desktop version as I will otherwise lose my payroll and online billing functionality otherwise.  I won't do online or an annual subscription.  The only issue I will have now is how to get to it to buy it and how much are they going to credit me for the $667.28 that they auto charged my credit card in December for my "annual" enhanced payroll subscription.

 

Intuit needs to know that we don't appreciate their timing.  Right after I committed to purchasing my 2020 ProSeries in 4th Quarter of 2019 they announced that it wouldn't work on my Windows 7Pro desktop.  Bought a Windows 10 laptop.  Now in the middle of tax season (and after they charged for annual enhanced payroll subscription in December) they drop the QuickBooks upgrade on us with just a couple weeks after tax season ends to get that done. 

 

I understand that technology needs to be upgraded.  I cannot plan for last minute changes which they obviously knew they were going to do months ago.

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???


@TNVAZ wrote:

The only issue I will have now is how to get to it to buy it  


 

@TNVAZ 

You may purchase a one time license of QBD 2021 Pro for 1 user worth $400 thru your local reseller. Make sure they committed to provide the unregistered license and the activation code. Otherwise contact us in private.

Ads Suck
Level 3

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

It's really insane that one CAN NOT buy the QB Desktop Pro product from Quickbooks and HAVE TO GO TO A RESELLER.

 

This is just stupid.

 

By the way, you can get a digital download of the product from Amazon for cheaper than the $399 that Quickbooks wants to sell it to you for.

 

The license and activation all work perfectly.

Themark
Level 3

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

I am very unhappy with Intuit right now.  I use Quickbooks desktop pro 2019 standalone, and was planning on upgrading it in May of 2022.  When I run it, it now just started telling me that service will end on May 31, 2022.  Since I use the stand alone version, they should have sent me a similar notification that they were switching to a subscription based model and I had until December 10, 2021 to purchase the 2021 standalone version.  Now the only 2021 standalone versions I can find are selling in excess of $1,000.  I have found the 2022 edition for $199, which is substantially cheaper than what intuit wants, so that helps a little I guess.  I occasionally use an accountant, otherwise, I would switch to another software package because of these sneaky tactics. 

 

Plus the reasons intuit give for switching to a service are bogus.  Every reason they state are things they have been offering all along or should offer for the high price we pay. 

 

Access to the latest version, with the most up-to-date features, security patches, and support for 3rd party operating system changes. - Already did that.
Up to 38% faster, more reliable QuickBooks computing power (64-bit).  - Pretty much all software written these days does thisI use an 8 core ryzen 7 3700x, Windows 10 Pro,  so everything runs fast on this computer. 
Unlimited customer support and data recovery at no additional charge. - Already did this or should do this for what they charge. 
Premium time saving and money management features. Increased productivity with the QuickBooks Desktop mobile app.  Don't use the mobile app.
Please note that clients on older 32-bit computers will not be able to use the 2022 version, which requires a 64-bit compatible Windows operating system. Check here for more information on how to check for compatibility for your Plus and Enterprise customers.  If you are running a company, you should be using a 64 bit machine these days.

 

Tough times for a small business owner dealing with rising shipping costs, ridiculous taxes, competition from places like Amazon and their free shipping, and software companies such as intuit switching to subscription based software in order to increase their profits, instead of doing what is best for their customer. 

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???


@Themark wrote:

Now the only 2021 standalone versions I can find are selling in excess of $1,000. 

 

@Themark 

Contact us in private and we may help to provide a lower price.

 

imhunee1
Level 1

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

I have been using QuickBooks Pro since 1999 and have upgraded several times, my current version is 2019 and I am being FORCED to upgrade to 2022 with a yearly subscription cost of $349.99 which does not include my payroll subscription of $650.00 per year. In 2021 I was able to upgrade for a client from their 2018 version without the yearly subscription fee…  It cost a little more & I was told by a QuickBooks sales person that it would only be good for 3 years, but it was worth it for them as they were closing their business in 2022. Now you can’t by QuickBooks from Intuit without paying the yearly subscription which I find very disturbing. I am now looking for last year’s version which I know I can find on Amazon, Best Buy etc. Unfortunately the program will expire in 2024.

I have to say that I am extremely disappointed with intuit as they try to push the online version which SUCKS… And I wouldn’t mind paying a yearly subscription if I didn’t have to pay an additional yearly fee $650 for payroll. I am now committed to find another accounting software program. If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???


@imhunee1 wrote:

I am now committed to find another accounting software program. 


 

@imhunee1 

If you are using QBD Pro/Premier, your option is very limited switching to another desktop based accounting program. All developers offer cloud-based accounting apps now and you can purchase a third-party conversion service if needed.

LISAC5
Level 1

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

Where did you find the 2022 for $199.00?

LISAC5
Level 1

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

Where did you find the 2022 for only $199.00?

Ads Suck
Level 3

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

At $199, I'm sure that it is the "PLUS" version. Aka PLUS = SUBSCRIPTION.

 

I've not found the 2022 Desktop Pro version anywhere without the 'PLUS'.

Ads Suck
Level 3

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

Keep us posted on your quest to find another software vendor.

I went through Hell trying to get just the desktop version without subscription of the Desktop Pro 2021.

I finally had to buy it through Amazon.

Samna
Level 2

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

Totally agree with you!  I dont  even use none of there products except customers, vendors and banking.. everything at my end is manual n I just enter it.

They told me desktop premier is good, bought 2022 it sucks.  everytime I close without backing up I get error message and cannot access my data.

called customer service, they have no idea what to do.  was on the phone with them many day for hours.  finally they Quick lost all my data.

quick book sucks.. will have to get a different software,  maybe SAGE or net suite.

 

QUICK BOOKS WANTS YOU TO BUY THEIR SUPPORT WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THEIR SOFTWARE, AND THEIR SUPPORT TEAM  HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE HOW TO FIX CETAIN ISSUES.

Samna
Level 2

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

Totally agree with you!  I dont  even use none of there products except customers, vendors and banking.. everything at my end is manual n I just enter it.

They told me desktop premier is good, bought 2022 it sucks.  everytime I close without backing up I get error message and cannot access my data.

called customer service, they have no idea what to do.  was on the phone with them many day for hours.  finally they Quick lost all my data.

quick book sucks.. will have to get a different software,  maybe SAGE or net suite.

 

QUICK BOOKS WANTS YOU TO BUY THEIR SUPPORT WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THEIR SOFTWARE, AND THEIR SUPPORT TEAM  HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE HOW TO FIX CETAIN ISSUES.

SeekingBetterAccountingProgram
Level 2

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???

100% Agree and am looking for a new program, too!  Been using QB since 1996.  They've continually grown greedier and greedier each year with their forced program upgrades and increasing their annual Accountant payroll subscription from $ 400 years ago to $ 700 in 2021. 

 

I REFUSE to pay $ 300 for QB Pro Plus and then pay them $ 300 - $ 500 annually for their new SUBSCRIPTION ONLY based product.  I looked everywhere for QB Pro 2021 desktop to avoid having to go the Pro Plus 2022 subscription route, as I currently have QB Pro 2019.  My plan was to delay having to switch accounting software programs for 2 ys.  However, I could not find QB Pro 2021 desktop ANYWHERE, and I searched with multiple search engines and on multiple platforms.  So, I'm gonna just go ahead and find a better accounting software program now.  

 

Here's a cursory list that I've dug up so far:

 

Freshbooks

Xero

Sage 50 Cloud

ZohoBooks

Wave

https://pdf.wondershare.com/quickbooks/free-quickbooks-alternatives.html

 

Sunrise

https://sunriseapp.com/

 

Please let me know if you find a better accounting system.  I'm happy to return the favor and let you know if/when I find a better one, too.

 

Thanks!  

 

NN

 

 

 

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Being forced to upgrade to QB Desktop Pro 2021 but link to BUY product is nowhere to be found???


@SeekingBetterAccountingProgram wrote:

However, I could not find QB Pro 2021 desktop ANYWHERE, and I searched with multiple search engines and on multiple platforms.  

 

>>> Contact us in private and we may help to provide a legitimate one time license for QBD 2021 

 

Here's a cursory list that I've dug up so far:

Freshbooks

Xero

ZohoBooks

 

>>> Purchase a 3rd party conversion service if required. Contact us in private for details.

 

@SeekingBetterAccountingProgram 

 

 


 

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