I would be remiss if I didn't relate this to all of you. I did get a call from my rep yesterday. While over the last few weeks I was seriously considering going to Drake after a road test because I had a few issues this year, although not so terrible to impact my business. I related those issues to my rep who quite aptly wrote everything down and said all the other reps are referring these concerns to management to improve their product. Yes, I know, what else would he say as a good salesman, but it gave me some comfort that maybe I was helping in some way. I have been with ATX since '96, and can remember joking about the weather in Caribou, so as I could easily move to Drake, it would break my heart....knowing I would miss the easy interface I have become so accustomed to. I even did a Beta test one year that I considered an honor to be included.
As John H said, you have to be ready to book.....I was, as I thought their price increase to be out of line, considering what has happened this year. Other than the program problems, the breach could have happened to anyone, their communication with customers was unacceptable and totally inconsiderate. I would never ever do that to my clients.
So, with that being said, I told my rep I didn't think the price increase was fair. I said I would not pay more than last year. He then started to negotiate and we agreed on a $48 dollar increase if management would agree. He asked me to hold.....went for a quick smoke and came back and said he got the OK.
All in all, being with the company this long, I think it is important that we still support them, there is much of the product we like, and some things we dislike, so we should try to help them bring it back to its original prominence among its peers. I don't want to see them fail, none of us should. They need help, and they are crying out for us to be there for them, they just don't know how to ask or say it.