posted
After almost 10 years using and promoting products by Flexisign, I'm/we're done with that program. Too many inherent flaws and big $'s were paid for the program. And now, Amiablescanvec, wants more $'s for features they have alledgedly fixed in version 7.0 which were supposed working in the first place in earlier versions. And as for technical support-- well ask most users... it's terrible. And did you hear the one about the the fellow using Enroute whose router driver wouldn't work, so he contacted the company...purchased a seperate, new driver at over $100 and when it didn't work-- the company wouldn't refund his money? So much for the truth-- Sure Flexisign does certain things nicely, but try getting their support on Casmate. Wasn't that program expensive...as I recall?
Done. Period!
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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I am a Flexi owner, but learned not long after that I way over-bought, (I also have Gerber GA, that was given to me) I encourage anyone getting into this business to use Illustrator or Corel, and a lower price plug-in to cut their graphics. Flexi has great production features, and the envelopes and effects are great, but with over 6000.00 invested in that program already, with the initail purchase and upgrades the cost has yet to justify those minor features, especially when Corel and Illustrator can do it, with a little more work. You are not alone in this realization, with so many lower cost software those overpriced solutions are starting to lose thier favor with a lot of older sign guys.
Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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your right rick. only some learn this to late and with $4-6000 in a sign program you EXPECT more then a half working program and none helpful tech support. i started into the vinyl stuff in 93 was computer savvy enough to KNOW that with a cutter that would communicate HPGL, you can cut from any decent vector/cad program. i got a roland plotter(still use it) and i had corel 4 and was cutting vinyl. also I cut from ILLISTRATOR, ARTS & LETTERS 5.0, MACROMEDIA 4.0. when i bought the plotter the guy had LETTER ART 6.0, dos based sign program. this is another program i put right DOWN there with gerber GA 6.0. and i say this because i was corel trained...and GA to me was so redundant and restricting of movement it frustrated me the time i had to play with it. ive been cuttin vinyl since 93 and corel has served my needs.
[ November 30, 2003, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Our boys yonder and over-sees wrote concerning Flexi.
"You are not alone in this realization, with so many lower cost softwares...those overpriced solutions are starting to lose thier favor with a lot of older sign guys."
Yes, well, it's time the manufacturer PAID the price for our hard investments. They should, at very least, provide the updated, repaired program at no cost to thier users to keep the faith. But word has it that Flexisign is dying-- no lie..in the midst of my anger and frustration I called some guru's and they all concur-- Flexi's demise is on the horizon... and, unfortunately, all those who invested in it... at least on the sofware plank.
Walking the...plank... thank god, or buddha or whomever for lifepreservers like corel.
Spread the word, so that people don't perish (especially new and younger sign makers) in TITANIC proportions, will ya? Write to:
posted
I've wasted my share of time being ****ed off at them for dropping support for casmate, but I still use the program with little or no need for support other them the occassional wish for a developing compatability with newer OS's etc.
As for Flexi... I think your info or speculation is out of line on your "demise" rumor. They are working hard to make it an alternative to Gerber for running the Edge (which is an excellent idea, since Gerber software is weak, & a huge base of edge owners & future edge owners are already Flexi users &/or fans) IMO, Flexi is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future, if they are spending the energy to develop that new market.
Also, I'm not sure what all this talk about charging for Flexi 7 fixes is about... I just got my copy of Flexi 7.5 for free
"As for Flexi... I think your info or speculation is out of line on your "demise" rumor...IMO, Flexi is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future, if they are spending the energy to develop that new market.
Also, I'm not sure what all this talk about charging for Flexi 7 fixes is about... I just got my copy of Flexi 7.5 for free"
Let me put it this way, Doug, I spoke to more than half a dozen old and former users. Verdict: They've had it with Flexi too. That tells me there's a wounded animal afoot. If you ask me, they're killing their market and loosing business from all the bad publicity...and believe me, the word spreads like wildfire. I am/was a user and 3rd party reseller for Flexi and also supported, technically speaking, their product(s) for other users and those to whom I sold it. I recently I discovered new (and old)flas in the program, particularly in the relam of import and export filter/ utilities. I subsequently discovered that there are some 25 documented and readily available issues that AmiableScanvex has, again, now "alledgedly" repaired to earlier versions. I was at 6.5 v 3. After there was 6.6 according to the regional sales rep...and then the jump to 7.0. I called for the update and they wanted $650 to repair with the latest version what should have been working in earlier versions. Each time I updated previously, Amiablescanvex swore my problems were solved. NOT! I should not have to pay one dime to fix that which I paid for AND supported.
I can not with any conscience continue with a company and product who does not subscribe to the philosophy of the customer is "usually" right. A penny for my thoughts? Well, they wanted $650 without avaible fixes for earlier versions.
Bye,bye, Flexi, goodbye...you've left this proggie awry!
Defend Flexi as you will, but look at the fundemental principal here...AND... their inept and failing marketing strategy for existing users. Sometimes it's worth a few buck to get rid of a problem. Anyone ever owe you (rhetorically speaking)money? Investing and supporting this product was a gross mistake. We live and learn.
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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I left Flexi with version 5.8 in 2000. When I had to wait 8 days for tech support,I was livid. Today, if I have to wait 8 minutes for Omega support, that is unusual.
Allegedly, it is better today than before. But, with Fred's post, I have my doubts. You have to decide when enough is enough, cut your losses, and buy somthing that fits your needs.
Let me reccomend Gerber Omega. I am a believer. I would also reccomend some other design software to compliment it such as Adobe 10
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3485 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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I know how you feel.. I am a Die Hard Signlab user. They did offer good support until I had a problem with some PS fonts.. They called me back and all they said is I have to buy a Maitence Agreement. Or Upgrade to E6 So after that comment they lost another Customer..I will alway use Signlab as I know it like the back of my Hand.But will never UPGRADE Been using it since version 3 or 4 when it came on 16 Floppies. So when I need to use the certian fonts(Propriety Park Service Fonts) I'll just type them into Corel and export.. OH well.. I agree that alot of the Sign Programs will being going by the way side when they can't compete with Corel(And I hate to say that cause I cant stand COREL)(Lack of knowlede of the program))
posted
I have been running Flexi 5.7 for about eight years now. NEVER had any problems. I also run Vinyl Master Pro which Shaun has been outstanding with Tech Support. And at $500 for VMP I think it is the best deal going.
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote: And now, Amiablescanvec, wants more $'s for features they have alledgedly fixed in version 7.0
I thought that sentence meant fixes for problems in 7.0, so I had wondered if some unscrupulous distributor was charging you for 7.5
& I guess predicting their demise was not intended to mean they were going to voluntarily abandon the software like they did with casmate... but you are referring them being bankrupted by the word of half a dozen users spreading bad publicity like wildfire...now I understand your post.
posted
I do nearly all my designing in Corel... Edge stuff too. Flexi is slow, backwards and awkward up to 6.5. Believe me, I have mucho software, 3D and all. Pretty sad when you can't export things like AI's and EPS's out of Flexi and then re-import them. I merely want what I paid for. Flexi can't comply, so goodbye...like many, many others are doing...and the export/import anomalies only scratch the surface. I will deny Flexi henceforth with tenacity. The updates qualify for bait and switches. If your a Patriot... spread the word... "the Flexicoats are going!"
It's an expensive, imperfect product.
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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"...I guess predicting their demise was not intended to mean they were going to voluntarily abandon the software like they did with casmate... but you are referring them being bankrupted by the word of half a dozen users spreading bad publicity like wildfire...now I understand your post."
No, Doug, it's Flexi (Amiable) who's doing all the work in that department. It's just that those I spoke to, veteran sign guru's, who concur with the trend. I've earned money with Flexi, but all tolled, it's a rip (they have or had a good 'RIP' BTW). May they R.I.P.
It's like an expensive suit that you later discover that the the zipper and buttons were left off... and you're left hanging with your willy out in the cold... A chilly willy in December. Want to warm up? "$650 Please." No thanks, this frigid midget is taking his rigid digit elsewhere! See you Antartica, Amiable. Maybe we should pickit the sign show in AC next week...LOL... in full Patriot attire... Flexi colors BTW.
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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Once any sign designer becomes familiar enough with any professional vector illustration software (Corel Draw, Illustrator, Freehand), he/she will see the major sign programs for what they are: a rip-off. These programs are designed to wring money from you and nothing more. Gerber seems to be the only one with a real handle on it. Only because of their excellent support and staying power, not because the software is all that great. It works well for running machines, not designing signs. You need design software to design with and a simple program to run your machines whatever they might be.
-------------------- Glenn S. Harris
....back in the sign trade full time. Posts: 293 | From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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I know I'm in the minority when I can point to my good fortune in aquiring Casmate in 1997 at no charge. I did pay about $500 for an upgrade to the last version released, but at that price it is comparable to Illustrator in cost, but still very valuable due not only to the device drivers but many many features geared twards sign making that, even with illustrator 10, makes it the program of choice for me in several aspects of the sign design. I use Illustrator even more then casmate, but for what I paid it Casmate has earned it's keep countless times.
I did pay $1100 for Flexi 7.0 (which is again, less then others have spent... but still a good chunk) I don't even use it yet... but I have my 7.5 upgrade & am learning about it's edge compatible features. That, along with it's XP compability, & Casmate file compatibility make it a worthwhile investment for me. I haven't bothered to learn much about designing in Omega since it is not neccessary for me, & like Glen said, not very effective for a design program by most accounts anyway. As for Gerber support... I can only assume Glen & Rick are getting their support from a distributor. I have never encountered much reason for praise of support direct from Gerber, nor have I heard others make this claim.
More power to the plug-in/bridge program people. But there are so many satisfied sign program users, the nay-sayers would have others think we all keep quiet due to shame in being taken to the cleaners. Give me a break! Plenty of people whine about being a victim of this or that, but maybe satisfied users are too busy making money to stop & sing the praises of every piece of the puzzle that IS working.
I can't fathom someone with years of knowledge & ownership of a program that wouldn't go & letter a $650 van in an afternoon to pay for the new improvements to something that has already been making them money without the current fixes/improvements.
posted
I can't see Flexi's demise anytime soon, especially since they took 1/4 of the competition away by deleting Cas-Mate. I think a production shop can use Flexi's prodution tools and be very succesful with it, but a one man sign shop? I think Flexi strong point is production,it does it very well, but like many of you I don't need that speed and production. As far as Gerber, it's still the clunky program I have always known it to be. But since it drives the Edge better than the others, Gerber has made it very diffucult to get rid of it. I never thought I would say this, but I applaud Gerber for getting into the Mac market with their Illustrator plug-in. Anybody using Cas-Mate and Arts & Letters are already facing extinction when thier dongle fails, relying on Flexi, Gerber, Signlab or the others are asking for trouble if you are DESIGNING with thier software, maybe not now, but down the road. A smart sign shop will always keep an .eps file on hand just in case, if you design in sign software, but as long as production shops are arond, there will always be the high-end software.
Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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I've been using Casmate since it was a DOS program (Ver. 3.0?). We do look at Flexi every now and again as the next step, but one look at the cost and we never bite. Been using Corel since Version 8, now using 10 along with it. About half the time I end up doing some work in both programs for one job, just how it works sometimes. One program is better at some things than another, just a fact of life. Do I worry about Casmate's dongle crapping out on me? Just a little....make friends with your local computer tech beforehand and get a software fix for the dongle. It is possible to do, don't ask me how, but I have seen it in action.
Are all the "high end" sign programs overpriced? Yes. But look at it from a business perspective, how many copies can they resonalbly expect to sell to earn back their investment? Corel sells 10K plus copies, Flexi sells how many?
Just my thoughts.
Mark
-------------------- Mark Sheflo Renton, Washington A-Squared Signs, LLC Posts: 145 | From: Renton, Washington | Registered: Feb 2003
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Fran, Please do youself a favour as Robert says and give Vinyl Master Pro a tryout. It will cost you nothing for a demo version and I promise you it has an awful lot to offer. I, myself use Signlab, but I do a lot in VMP as well. Please, just check it out!! web page
-------------------- Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesigns@bigpond.com Downunder "To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer" Posts: 965 | From: Nambour, Qld. Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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You call up the Russians, wire em a little money, a little package comes in the mail. CASmate & XP are happy..........ya put a bullet in the dongle and screw the Mafiaosa.
-------------------- John Martin Robson Pendragon Signs & Graphics Yellowknife,NT,Canada
if it's not one thing.....it's two things Posts: 261 | From: Yellowknife, NT, Canada | Registered: Aug 2000
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VMP is the way to go, at least in my opinion, for any sign shop. Every program has its little quirks and problems, but for $499, I wouldnt even think of using anything else. This program has all the features of the big shots, and then some. It may have a cheaper price, but the features and quality arent cheap.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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Funny, the "Russians" contacted me today... said they could help me for a mere, yes, 250 of our rupples. I denied them, tho, since I'm 'Done with Flexi'. I was simply used to using it, but when it came down to using some of it's deeper features...it failed me. So fail is as fail does... Oh, Flexi 'll be around alright...so long as there are naive, unsuspecting consumers to cough up a buck. And, yes, right-- it is a little odd that a long time user/promoter of their product would be charged such an outlandish sum for an upgrade aimed to fix problems of earlier versions. Is this the new American way? If so, we had all better get wise or hold up our britches with more than suspenders... shoulder stakes anyone?
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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It appears that many of our programs are actually a collection of modules built by other companies.
I own a database program that has a few quirks. I was promised many times yes the next version will fix them. And the next, and the next and so on.
Finally I came across a program that had all the fixes. (later applied and sold as a new verion of my database program). It was the essentially the same program but with a different opening page. Hmm.
Just as I suspected. It, like so many other programs is a collection of modules, filters, and DLL's written by others. Consequently, the vendor has to wait until his supplier / writer gets around to fixing the bugs "quirks". I would guess flexi is the same.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I must just say , if someone had to broadcast on a popular board relevant to my business that I was going bankrupt when I wasn't , it could get very ugly as I would really go after the person that tried to make it come true. (Not that I could care about the specific program , I have never used it)
-------------------- Rodney Gold Toker Bros Posts: 57 | From: South Africa | Registered: Aug 2003
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corel 9 ws about 20 bux, corel 11 was about 110 bux. I illustrator 9 was about 130 bux used. Cocut was about 100 bux used.
I now have all the vinyl cutting software i need. With this combo I can do anything that i need. I hav never had work back up because of a slow system. I actually have three sign cutting solutions.
From cuitting masks thru vinyl. All for less than $500 bux. Send me an AI file or a corel file no matter. No hassles with very expensive upgrades either. No need to worry about OS systems going out of date. nutin to it..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Hey, Rodney, no one suggested that Amiable/Flexi was going bankrupt (literally)-- those where someone else's recapitulation of my apprasisal, based on talking with others that, in effect, Flexi's policies (and heart) were, if I were to use another's words-- are already bankrupt, so to speak, from robbing their faithful customers of what they paid for. No one's spreading any rumours... and if they are, Flexi's orchestrating it with their policies. Using the analogy: You go to the bank, make your deposits, invest, etc. then go to make a withdrawl and your account's been frozen. Now what's going on precisely? Only time will tell. I'm an unsatisfied customer like so many other's I've spoken to and/or that have e-mailed me. Your best friend wrongs you and do you go back running for hugs and kisses? No, especially when you discover that she's been cheating on you the whole time... I mean-- to use another's words-- with "modules" and "filters" that you paid for and don't work. Time to find a new lover and friend. And, yes, I'm familiar with all the combo proggies and do much of that here to...but thanks for the reminder guys. Flexi was part of the combo too and failed me. Time to drop it. As a courtesy to other veteran or up and coming signmakers, I've voiced my disatisfaction and will continue to do so until the AmiescanVEX/Flexi people wake up. I'm just Paul Revere making his ride. Or to paraphrase another Patriot-- Give me Liberty or give me a sign program that works! Earlier versions of Flexi do not-- or only marginally. Versions 5.7 and 5.8 seemed fairly stable...but since then up to 6.6 the horse was out of the stable. Now with 7.0 and up are we to believe that the steed is track worthy. Place your bets at $650 a pop (for existing users). They're/ we're off and running...'cept I'm running away this time; that is, from Flexi.
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote: But word has it that Flexisign is dying-- no lie..in the midst of my anger and frustration I called some guru's and they all concur-- Flexi's demise is on the horizon...
& never realized the "demise" Fran was refering to was the consequence of losing him & his 6 buddies continued support.
posted
theres a lot more than just that six doug..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
One of our hopes for Letterville was to see it used to put a face on our Merchants. In many cases, our vendors, especially the large corporate variety, often appear to be managed by machines, instead of real people. It's very frustrating for those of us that deal with them.
Flexi has not been a Merchant here in Letterville for sometime, but Barb sent a couple of our old contacts there a notification of this post, along with an invitation to respond. Some companies change spokespeople more often than socks, but maybe this time will be different. It would be wonderful to learn the facts from an actual company rep instead of relying on second hand info that can often be wrong.
Ever ask a question in this Forum about Rapid Tac, Summa, Graphtec, VinylMaster Pro, Avery, Estimate, LazerLines, Letterhead's Sign Supply, SignGold or one of the many other Letterville Merchants that actually understand how Letterville works? In most cases, you will get a response to your questions from a real person you have grown to consider a friend and neighbor. There have been times when some of us have been less than kind to our Merchants. Over the years, most have grown to accept and learn from our comments on their products. It's really not all that different from a live trade show.
[ December 02, 2003, 01:40 AM: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
posted
Doug, my surmise of the "demise", on an educated guess, is that this is just the tip of the iceberg; that is, from my experience and what I'm hearing in the chatter box. Bottom line is-- if Amiable continues to treat their customers as they did me (and others, I understand) well, logically, does one really think they'll weather the storm?
Look around you-- Casmate: vacaant lot/abandoned, jogging without jock. Businesses changing names, mergers, closures and extinctions.
The best business people I know, despite the economic and business climate, are still in business because they listen, treat customers right and with respect.
I can name a dozen of them local to me who appreciate the business people bring to them, trade-wise or otherwise. Those of the philosophy: "We don't need you...you need us...pay the price twice" are holding on way too tight and falling faster than soldiers in the civil war. That's the reality.
I, myself, am in business after 15 years for these reasons: Courteous, friendly and reliable service, decent and affordable product. Maybe some talent too. Anyone can go anywhere for what I/we do...more than just signs, for we offer many dimesnions to the sign and display industry under one roof.
If someone's wrong about something, I'll be discrete about telling them as I would expect them to be candid and forthright with me.
I approached Amiable with logic and sensibility. They denied me for a buck.
I declined and felt obliged to share my experience and what I'm hearing in the pipeline...not just from "six" but from the horse's mouth-- in the cryptic messages,horse hoofs and signals that Amiable, themselves, are sending people and I don't even think they understand the ramifications ...YET. The solution was easy and simple, YET, they would not oblige. Had they done so, I would have gone to bat for them instead of whining about being had all these many years.
I'm just getting warmed up.
Kind regards, tho, to all and thanks for all the honest responses. I like to hear and ponder all points of view. And please do let me know where I'm wrong or have overstepped freedom's boundaries. I spred no rumours, plan no spam, etc. I'm merely telling it like it is...or was. Call it honest or call it disgruntled. That's rock and roll.
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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Fran, you have made some good points about some of the customer service related reasons for your business's success, as well as the business practices Scanvec Amiable has been guilty of that have alienated you from among their customer base.
As mentioned in my first post I have had good reason to be disillusioned with that company in the past. At this point I find it a waste of my energy to hold that grudge against them, but understand others justifiable need to cut their losses.
Steve makes some excellent points about vendors opportunity to participate in this forum, even as non-merchants. It appears that Scanvec Amiable does not participate here for whatever reason.
If it is of interest to anyone, they have been making appearances elsewhere & providing much up to date information, both about their products specifically, about how their products work with other facets of the sign industry, & about how they are being developed to continue to do so in increasingly valuable ways.
Just in the last week this post was started by Jim Kielt, the Regional Sales Manager of Scanvec Amiable, & includes a reply from Judy Heft, the PhotoPRINT Product Marketing Manager for Scanvec Amiable.
I think my sparring habits here are often driven by some perception I have that a discussion is leaning away from equanimity, & in my own imagination, a balance can be achieved through my dissent. I need to give it a rest.
Often the middle-of-the-road, safeline posture is a good stance and I, all too often, find myself there--neutral, facilitating a peace as best I can... thus, appear your honest and enduring efforts around this subject.
Even if Amiable did not upgrade me, they could at least offer remedy and repair for that which I paid for (and promoted). They do not. Instead, their "stance" is: pay the price twice... or a large portion thereof. They up-ed the anty and I say/said: "Up Your Anty Instead Of Mine." (If it's any consolation: Even car Mfgrs. offer a recall on non-working parts-- But that's for our safety, not a component our livlihoods at stake)
You suggest I not waste my time with this issue anymore since it's (unproductive?), fruitless, a waste of time?
Well, my fellow American(s), brushing the dirt under the carpet and purging the experience is all too often how people/vendors, et als, get over and beyond us... while we're left heaving the hoe. No?
We all have to make that eternal, infernal buck--so, as a result, we the people-- small businesses, the backbone of this good nation, always wind up taking it "on-the-back" (whilst they, the Lords, hope in time we'll forgive and forget as we toil onward. We all too conveniently forget that our efforts and dollars build companys like Amiable.)
Fifty lashes, fifty one lashes, fifty two lashes and so on...scorning down through the ages.
When are people going to wake up, clean up, stop being soft and get the dust from under the rug?... for it's a heap a'piling. Talk about the Borg??? Our society is nurtured and fostered with the idea that "resistance is futile". Bull! I admire those who make a stand in the face of adversity... futile as it might seem... it bespeaks that the human spirit is not completely zombi-ized and dead. Now if it were someone coming into your house or business stealing from you, well, we'd assume a different "posture" would we not? We choose, in this instance, not to see it that way... but a steal it is, nonetheless. Cal it highway robbery, or snobbery-- it's all synonymous with being taking advantage of...violated.
Many let Amiable (boy what an ironic name for a company... means:'agreeable'?) into their lives and companies... smack in the middle-- A/ScanVEX draws the line and, for all intent and purpose, bails on them unless they pay the fare.
Typical, they make the mistakes and the consumer pays the price. "Pass it on" says the CEO.
I'll put my company's dollars eslewhere from here on in rather than be led by the dangling carrot another amiable mile. Thanks, but I'll "Pass" the "Word" on instead. Got to give me credit for that, No?
Perhaps, it'll save some other, unsuspecting lad the trouble I and others have endured.
Now that's action instead of reaction and surrender-- That's doing something positive and making a difference if you ask me. So stand where ye must... whilst others pave the way to freesom and the promised program...LOL.
You and the boys here are all "OK" in my book, Doug... but then, you don't need my approval to be a decent lads.
Now, can we sign you up as a Patriot? (I thought not)But Uncle Slam WANTS You, Appollo Creed!
Hey, I enjoy a good read and write even when my spellchecker isn't working right.
See you at the OK Corral, OK?
Kind regards,
Whyit Blurp? Why it, the proggie, no work?
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
Okay, I'll disagree. I love FlexiSign. I'll admit that tech support is non-existant. When we first upgrade to 6.0 our system was crashing 20 or 30 times a day (and I documented the error codes on all of them) and I raised hell with salespeople and crashed an email server one day (thanks Warez). After living with crap for five months and almost daily calls to tech support we finally got past the idiots at the computer monitors. We finally talked to a vendor about our problems. He listened for two minutes, told us to upgrade our RAM and we've NEVER had another problem.
Now the good stuff. I love the fact I can manipulate text, add outlines, add effects, and still go back and correct spelling. The program is hands down better than Illustrator, which I used for 5 years. The learning curve on Flexi is pretty steep and without adequate support you are pretty much on your own but once you learn how to use it it streamlines the heck out of work. It creates gradients for digital printing that I can't equal in Photoshop.
Flexi is great and worth the money to me, with or without the tech support.
-------------------- Pat Whatley Montgomery, AL (334) 262-7446 office (334) 324-8465 cell Posts: 1306 | From: Wetumpka, AL USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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"Just in the last week this post was started by Jim Kielt, the Regional Sales Manager of Scanvec Amiable, & includes a reply from Judy Heft, the PhotoPRINT Product Marketing Manager for Scanvec Amiable."
That's well and good... pursuing other markets...very wise too. But what about AI and EPS filters and other features that don't work in earlier versions. Plough new territory and bury the mistakes? Hey, you bury people and their businesses, in part, too, when you bury mistakes.
I'd like to see Amiable extend an amicable,'amiable', open hand... not a hand on-the-take.
Now maybe, just maybe, if AmiablescanVEX were to contact me for the sought after upgrade as the wave of dissatisfaction gains momentum and tidals in their direction... just maybe, I might be able to say that there's hope for them beyond the all the yakitty-yak of their sandbagged nuances lining their shoreline to salvage their inevitably failing reputation. We're all hearing the testimonies as they gragually come in. In essence they will translate to more loss than gain over the mandatory upgrade price.
The trumpets beckon.
It's customer relations AND product that makes a strong, reputable company. Not dollar mongers seemingly in desperation to cover their tracks.
De Facto!
15 years ago another company I once worked for told a prospective client: "...the price is the price...take it or leave it" Since that time, my company has been doing all that company's work and, in large part, has contributed to my company's modest success. My former employer, the other company, is now long gone. I never loose sight of that fact. All my equipment is paid for or paid in hard-earned cash from the outset.
Politeness, appreciation, courteousy, friendly accomodating service are the undercurrent qualities of enduring businesses and the themes that keep my clients coming back.
Where has Amiable lost sight of this? Ask the machine, you say?
Can I speak to a person please, just once?
Now if that doesn't make sense, what does?
AmiablescanVEX: Stop sandbagging. Face the shore and extend open hands to still the seas. You have the power. We all have the power. There is no try, only DO.
It's only a hump...not a lump sum. The choice and rewards are yours to ponder.
Kind regards,
The Patriot
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
First the "scratch" Casmate.......Then they cancel INSPIRE (which I stll use religiously), then I switch over to FLEXI, only because of the future upgrades. I'm currently "using" 7.0....now 7.5 comes out and they wanna charge $45 for that. Screw it.....I've had enuf. If I cant do it with what I have....the hell with it!
posted
I haven't read every post here in depth, so I hope I'm not repeating someone...but a word to the wise....
When working in a proprietary sign software program, I always save out a duplicate copy of every file as an .ai file.
I've learned the hard way that if you have a major computer crash, or decide to buy a different sign program....you will need to have an .ai version which is almost universally accepted by sign software programs....
don't get stuck with a .cdl file or some other oddball formatt that you can't open up if you need to on someone else's machine/software etc.
A file backed up safely as an .ai will always bail you out. Cheers.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Bob, try a $650 upgrade for 6.5 version 3 to 7.0 and above. 'Nuff said.
Todd, thanks for your kind advice. BTW...Flexi 6.5 accepts AI fine from Corel, for instance... but try saving a FS to AI or EPS, for example and re-imorting to Flexi. Doesn't work. 'Nuff said on said issues...but more to come on Flexi, I promise!
The Patriot.
-------------------- Fran Maholland Pro Sign NJ Posts: 169 | From: Voorhees, New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2003
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Thanks for introducing us to Jim and Judy from ScanvecAmiable Doug. We couldn't find an e-mail for Jim, but we'll ask Judy to locate someone to respond to this post.
Trade shows are a wonderful opportunity to talk face to face with company reps. Unfortunitly, time, distance and financial issues prevent many small shop owners from attending. There are all sorts of existing and potential customers left out of the loop. Valuable feedback from users is lost.
Here's an example of what I am talking about. Over the years, anyone registering in the Letterville Database tell us a few things about themselves and their business. This includes software/hardware used in their shops. Here's what you tell us.
At this time, 8517 signmakers have registered in the database. 726 claim to use Cassmate, and 1274 use Flexi.
To be perfectly honest, these figures have probally changed through the years. We rely on users to update their own info. I have to assume many Cassmate users have updated to Flexi or other systems. Our database is also badly in need of an upgrade to reflect the new products and systems available today. Digital printing was a brand new kid on the block when this database was created back in 1996.
Despite the above, these figures indicate a large number of Flexi users that use Letterville and other spots on the web to get information. Why don't they consider us as important as the live trade show crowd?
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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