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5518
Level 2

Locked out

I recently purchased Quickbooks for $300.00, then got an email saying would cost me $500.00 to continue subscription. I don't need all of the benefits that go with a subscription so I cancelled that. Now I am locked out and saying I have to pay $500 to continue subscription. I never heard of this before. The last time I bought Quickbooks you paid the money and installed the disk and that was all. What is this buy the product and then keep paying $500.00 to use it? Does this mean I either pay $500 whenever they ask, or I get nothing? If that is the case am I out the $300.00? Like I said has been awhile since I purchased the product and am not understanding the changes?

 

What it did tell me was to go through some very complex steps to try and resolve an error. Such steps are far beyond my computer skill level.

5 Comments 5
john-pero
Community Champion

Locked out

What you probably bought without realizing it was the subscription version called Desktop Pro/Premier Plus.  It is as you have discovered an annual subscription version instead of the STILL AVAILABLE non-subscription, good for 3 years of updates and good beyond that if you do not use payroll, direct deposit, QB payments, etc.

 

Instead of the subscription, you can buy the regular version from Intuit or elsewhere and be able to continue using your existing company file as you have in the past with no mandatory upgrade unless you are using the extras as I mentioned previously.

 

To prove to yourself that you can do this

 

  1. save a local backup of your company file
  2. download and install a trial version of QBDT 21 (do not attempt to activate/register)
  3. restore your company file into the trial

This should demonstrate that your company file is safe and secure and that it is the software you can change.  You can also demonstrate this by restoring the backup you create on another individual's computer with their QB license.

 

Trial version https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/new-subscriptions/download-a-trial-of-quickbooks-d...

 

Regular non-subscription version at bottom page retail price $399 https://quickbooks.intuit.com/desktop/pro/

street price is usually less at certain times of the year but apparently, with them pushing towards a subscription model it is tough to find any discounted versions now.  But $400 now for regular Pro gives you until May 31, 2024 or longer to not have to worry about spending more.

5518
Level 2

Locked out

Thanks John for your reply, that I guess explains it. Was unaware of what I was getting. The date of my purchase was 05/31/2021, so that should leave me the option of return for exchange, provided I can navigate through the nightmare of contacting Quickbooks, but at least an option I think, but can find out on Monday. The other option as you pointed out is to purchase what I need which is paying double. Or a third option just eat the $300.00 and sever ties with Quickbooks and go another route as far as bookkeeping. Have been a long time Quickbooks user and have always been happy with the product, but perhaps time to move on. It appears has become more self service intended more for computer experts who are able to perform complex navigations, without live customer support. Feels like dealing with a giant machine. Perhaps the wave of the future will be talk and deal with machines. Not a huge deal, I still know how to use pencil and paper. Sure has been a frustrating experience.

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

Locked out


@5518 wrote:

I recently purchased Quickbooks for $300.00, then got an email saying would cost me $500.00 to continue subscription. 

 

@5518 

Did you purchase QB Desktop 2021 Pro Plus or Pro? How many user? Can you share the screenshot of the email you received?

You can purchase QB Desktop 2021 Pro Plus for 2 users worth $300 for the first year and you have to pay $500 for the second year. Another option, you can purchase QB Desktop 2021 Pro (with a one time license) worth $650.

5518
Level 2

Locked out

Somehow posted the same comment twice, didn't see a delete option so I backspaced it out. Maybe can't delete your own post? If a moderator sees this post feel free to delete, thanks.

5518
Level 2

Locked out

Thanks for your reply, I deleted that email. Since it has been a few years since the last time I purchased Quickbooks. I was unaware of what was up with it and figured you buy it once and you get to use it without having to keep paying for it, buyer beware I guess. I am not computer savvy enough to understand software is a totally different animal, or at least not up until now. I got a new computer from Best Buy, and told them to include Quickbooks with it is how the mix up occurred. Just ended up getting the wrong product as John pointed out to me.

 

In any normal business setting a company would simply exchange one product for the other, and then pay the difference if product trading for is more money. Has been less than 60 days since my purchase so this should be an option. However, this is no normal product since it is a software item that has already been installed, so may not be that easy, I expect it won't. With Intuit your pretty much on your own dealing with a complicated self service system intended more for computer experts.

 

If I contact them and they tell me it's my problem and I have to buy it again, then I will just eat what I have already invested and figured I paid for nothing and move on to a different way of record keeping. Not what I want, but that's life.

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