BCSS vs Consignpro

'Horizon Software' (Consignpro) might be better named 'Illusion Software'. At first blush, potential buyers can not readily see the total cost of owning Consignpro ($13,161 in 10 years). Total cost and program limitations are masked by false claims, misrepresentations and diversions.

The strategy is to get buyers in the door with plenty of hype and little to no full and truthful disclosure about cost, then load up on endless fees.

The all-important considerations are honesty, support, dependability and longevity.

Honesty

Consignpro is far less than ethical. They have employed a number of tactics over the years to distract attention away from the high cost of ownership, including false advertising, hiding fees, slandering competitors and making many false statements and unsubstantiated claims.

Support

Consignpro was developed by one individual. As he said in a recent spam email, "I developed ConsignPro for my mom's resale shop...". Users are totally dependent upon this one person, and users and ex-users have had plenty of complaints.

Dependability

You'll have to leave your name and number when calling for help. Calls are screened. You'll get a response fairly quickly if you're calling to buy but might have to wait a day or two if calling for help, and if you call the toll-free number for support, you won't get a response at all.

The program itself is often criticized for frequent crashing, especially with larger databases.

Longevity

Consignpro is mostly dependent upon the revenue of one software program. In the 90's there was little competition and vendors conspired then to keep prices high. Now there's serious pricing pressure and it's likely that vendors trying to hang onto fat profit margins won't be around in the future, as evidenced by the failure of Stoker Consignment Software in the Spring of 2007.

Consignpro's Cost-Cloaking Strategies:

• Promote software as 'easy to use' then offer an on-site explanation for $2,000-$2,500.
• Collect credit-card information online without disclosing the Total Purchase Amount and hidden 'shipping and handling' fees.
• Add services for monthly fees. - $26 per month for backup and online client account access - twice annual service fees!
• Limit 'Free support' to 3 months then refuse service and updates if ongoing annual fees are not paid.
• Create new fees after purchase.
• Charge large fees for services after the sale.
• Force users into buying upgrades (not updates) by discontinuing support for previous versions.
• Refuse to allow the software license to be transferred ($50) to a new buyer if the new buyer doesn't use the exact same store name at the same store with the same address and same telephone number. Failing to meet those requirements, the new store owner must purchase a new license, Wilson hopes, for $995.
• Mark up hardware prices and tack on shipping fees at the end of the ordering process without first disclosing them.
• Recommend providers of labels, books, credit-card processing, etc. without disclosing kickbacks.
• Refuse to answer the phone so as to avoid toll-free calls for support.

How does ConsignPro (and Liberty) compare to Best Consignment Shop Software in total cost?

Fees1	BCSS   10 Years	Liberty 5 Years	Liberty 10 Years	Consignpro 5 Years	Consignpro 10 Years
Initial Outlay	$ 595	$ 995	$ 995	$ 995	$ 995
Home Copy	free	295	295	free	free
Network 5 PCs	350	897	897	1,180	1,180
Support	free	1,800	3,600	1,250	2,500
QuickBooks	included	199	199	included	included
Data Conversion	free	200	200	200	200
X-Charge	n/a	245	245	included	included
Data Repair	free	free	free	345	690
Printer Support	free	450	900	200	400
Scanner Support	free	110	210	?	?
Upgrades (not Updates)	free	200	400	200	400
Online Backups	free	n/a	n/a	357	714
Online Account Access	n/a	n/a	n/a	597	1,195
Tag Customization	n/a	n/a	n/a	75	75
Transfer Fee2	free	500	500	50	50
Second Transfer Fee3	free	500	500	995	995
Replacement Manual	free	25	25	25	25
Replacement CD	free	35	35	25	25
Hardware Mark Ups	n/a	$297	$297	$1,000	$1,000
On-Site Training4	n/a			$2,500	$2,500
Hardware Shipping Fees	free	~+5%	~+5%	~+5%	~+5%
FedX Overcharges	n/a	n/a	n/a	25	25
Totals	$ 945	$ 6,581	$ 9,139	$ 9,162	$ 13,161
1 As of 2/1/2008 as best can be determined. Not all fees are listed in one place or prominently. Amounts are based upon 5 users with printer support and database repairs once per year. 2The Liberty fee is $99 IF the software is being purchased with a business. Otherwise, the fee is "one-half the value of the software", so if Liberty determines the 'value' to be $1,000 and you sell it for $500, you get nothing. 3The Consignpro license can not be transferred a second time. A new purchase ($995) is required. 4 In Canada. $2,000 in the U.S. Restrictions apply.

Hardware

Paying Liberty or Consignpro more than is necessary for hardware does not provide any additional service, warranties or conveniences. Both tack on shipping charges and only disclose them late in the ordering process. Moreover, Consignpro will charge $40 for printer support! It is only necessary to know which hardware is compatible with the software then search Google using the model number of the hardware to find lower prices and providers who WILL support the hardware.

Deception

Consignpro's hardware prices are substantially higher than most hardware sources. In an attempt to conceal large price markups, Consignpro compares their price to an over-inflated 'List Price' while at the same time concealing add-on shipping fees. Here's an example of the Star TSP643 receipt printer selling for about $250 elsewhere.

		BCSS	Consignpro4	Liberty4
	Scan Gun	$179	$189+	$299
	Receipt Printer	$329	$369+	$449
	Cash Drawer	$179	$189+	$189
	Shipping	Free	+5%3	+5%3
	Total Hardware Cost	$687	$784	$984
	Data Transfer Cable	n/a	n/a	$199 Parallel
3Shipping charges (approximately 5%) are not disclosed prior to ordering.

How does ConsignPro compare to Best Consignment Shop Software in features?

Feature	BCSS Diamond	Consignpro
Purchase Price	$ 595	$ 995
Annual Support	Free	$ 125-$ 195
Support Fee Increases	N/A	Yes
Program Updates	Free	$ 125-$ 1951
Database Repair	Free	$  69
Replacement CD	Free	$  25
Printer Support	Free	$  40
Replacement Manual	Free	$  25
Networking/station	$ 100 (3) then $ 50	$ 295 each
Cost to network 7 computers	$ 500	$ 2,065
Data Conversions	Free	$ 200
Demo CD	Free	$  20
Automated Discounts	Yes	NO
Free Consignment Book	Yes	No
Demo Restrictions	None	Severe3
Account History	Yes	NO
Aged Inventory to House Account	Yes	Yes
Bar Coding	Yes	Yes
Built-in POS	Yes	Yes
Buyer Data on Invoice	Yes	NO
Buyers' Fees	Yes	Yes
Check Printing	Yes	Yes
Consignor Contracts	Yes	Yes
Customer Tracking/Reporting	Yes	Yes
Customizable Inventory Lists	Yes	Yes
Data Backup	Yes	Yes
Disbursement Records	Yes	NO
Employee Security (log on)	Yes	Yes
Financial Reporting	Yes	Yes
Layaways	Yes	Yes
Network Pricing	Yes	Yes
Network Security	Yes	Yes
Output Data to .csv	Yes	Yes
Payouts by Date	Yes	Yes
QuickBooks Compatible	Yes	Yes
Settlement Details	Yes	NO
Settlement Records	Yes	NO
Smart Pricing	No	NO4
Split Payment Types on Invoices	Yes	?
Tag & Labels Supported	Yes	Yes
Tag Color Mark Downs	Yes	Yes
Time Period Mark Downs	Yes	Yes
View Reports on Screen	Yes	Yes
Wish List	Yes	Yes
1Updates are not 'free' as advertised. Annual support fees must be paid or updates are denied. 2Based on 5 users, support fees ($750), one database repair ($60) per year, one printer support charge ($40) per year, one replacement manual and one CD ($50), one data conversion ($200), one upgrade (not update) estimated $200 3The demo is limited to 25 consignors and 50 inventory items. 4Claims to have 'Smart Pricing' but prices must be determined and entered by users. The software doesn't determine prices as true 'Smart Pricing' does.

How does ConsignPro compare to Best Consignment Shop Software in reputability?

Software price and features comparisons alone don't measure honesty, reputation and dependability.

You are considering a long-term relationship with a software company. It should be with one that is honest, conducts business in a professional manner, prices its product openly and fairly, and demonstrates good management and strong financials.

Overview of Consignpro

Consignpro is not a 'company'. It is mainly an individual, Brian Wilson, who wrote a software program and who now depends largely upon the revenue of this one product. In a spam email sent to consignment shops on 6/14/2006: "I developed ConsignPro for my mom's resale shop..." Software company? Or an individual selling illusion?

Below are documented extracts taken from his website which clearly demonstrate his intent to deceive.

Deception from the Beginning - False Advertising

• These are Consign Pro advertisements in Yahoo and Google promoting Consign Pro to be 'free'. The program is obviously not free. (Overture and Google, search term 'consignment software', 12/1/2005)

Price Deception - Over Charging and Cost Cloaking

Consignment software users often discover additional needs (like using multiple computers) later on. Wilson preys upon that fact by price gouging well after the money-back guarantee period:

Ø      Get help or fix a software problem. Pay annual support fees.

Ø      Get updates with bug fixes and improvements. Pay annual support fees.

Ø      Use 4 more computers in your shop. Add $1,180

Ø      Convert data from another program. Add $200.

Ø      Get printer help. Add $40

Ø      Label or tag customization. Add $75/HOUR!

Ø      Get your database fixed. Add $60

Ø      Fee increases The charges for database fixing and printer support are the latest additions to this growing list of fees.

A Consignpro user with just 5 PCs (5 copies of the license) will spend over $10,000 in ten years (compared to $945 for our software), yet here are Wilson's diversionary tactics:

Ø      'We have the lowest price.' (vhsoftware.com/compare.htm, vhsoftware.com/message.htm, 4/13/2005)

Ø      Our goal... provide... an affordable price consignpro.com, 6/9/06

Ø      This appeared on his website after our first public disclosure of his cost cloaking: "In the spirit of total disclosure, we present all our fees and charges below." Price Schedule 7/11/2006 Check the table above with his web page. Not all fees are listed. (vhsoftware.com/pricelist.htm, https://nt27.securedata.net/vhsoftware/order.htm, 7/11/2006)

Ø      The ConsignPro software system won't break your bank. Our software is priced competitively and provides you great value for your money. We admit, you can buy cheaper software but you often get what you pay for. consignpro.com/consign.htm, 6/9/06

Ø      For the price, no product that I know of has as many features as ConsignPro. consignpro.com/faq.htm, 6/9/06

Ø      Here he avoids answering his own question because his networking licenses are outrageous: "How much are additional copies (network licenses)?" consignpro.com/top10.htm, 6/9/06

Ø      Version Updates... FREE w/Plan (Updates aren't free if something else must be purchased to get them. No payment. No updates.) consignpro.com/price-list.htm, 6/9/06

Ø      [His software} will pay for itself... This is especially true if you've hired an employee... (Software cost is represented as only $895 [sic] and consignment shop employees are not paid $20/hour. According to his (self-serving) assumptions, the $895 software expense will be recovered in a week.) consignpro.com/itpays.htm, 6/9/06

Dishonesty

Wilson encourages shop owners to add on a 'buyers fee' to the sale and not tell the consignor about it, then programs his software to make it possible for the shop owner to hide the truth from the consignor:

Ø      "This fee is paid by the buyer but not passed on to the consignor. None of our consignor reports reflect this "surcharge" so the appearance (to the consignor) is that they are receiving the correct split percentage." 6/9/06 consignpro.com/itpays.htm

'Smart Pricing' is a complex software feature. It suggests prices for inventory items. For this feature to be useful, the software must include an extensive database of variables.

Consignpro's database is empty. Users must enter their own suggested prices making 'Smart Pricing' somewhat useless but here again, claiming 'Smart Pricing' sounds good and those who don't know to suspect.

'Instability' is a problem with Consignpro when large amounts of data are entered because the Microsoft Access database used is not reliable. Of course this fact is not disclosed in any form by Wilson, but is often repeated to us by users.

Privacy Violation An ex-Consignpro user and her PC technician report that after an altercation with Wilson, their data and registration key had been removed from their computer (which was connected to the Internet). This suggests that Wilson programs Consignpro to allow himself access to users' computers without disclosing it.

Misuse of 3rd-Party References

Ø      It is stated here that an affiliate membership in NARTS (National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops, Wilson's mother as founder) has meritorious value and 'assures professionalism'. Anyone can become an affiliate member by paying a fee. It is highly unlikely that any reputable organization would condone advertising falsifications and price trapping.

From the NARTS 'Code of Ethics': SINCERELY represent and act within one’s areas of professional competency and authority without exaggeration, distortion or concealment" [emphasis added]. NARTS Adele Meyer, 'Executive Director', 9/5/2005: "NARTS membership applicants are subject to approval by the NARTS Board of Directors. Our members must also agree to adhere to our Code of Ethics." Wilson suggests that potential software purchasers inquire of vendors if they are members of NARTS. What's the value? Meyer says membership will be terminated if a member does not adhere to the 'code'. Not only have they not reprimanded or terminated Wilson's membership, they awarded him the dubious title of 'Vendor of the Year' for 2005. There are only a handful of 'vendors'.

Meyer goes on to say, "We also accept complaints and if they can not be resolved they are presented to the NARTS Board of Directors who have the power to terminate a membership" then contradicts herself, "I do not know of any Industry Association that has the power to approve of marketing and operational methods of a member company." In other words, when we brought Wilson's marketing methods to her attention (filed a complaint) she side-stepped it.

Hyperbole

Ø      "Consign Pro - The Industrys [sic] Favorite consignment software!!" - unsubstantiated and highly suspect. (vhsoftware.com, 4/13/2005)

Ø      This caption on the main page attempts to suggest that Consign Pro has multiple locations in large cities (Miami, New York). This is taken from the 'Contact Us' page. His office is in New Jersey. New York must sound more impressive. (vhsoftware.com/contact.htm, 4/13/2005)

Competitor Misrepresentation

Ø      Wilson lies about BCSS on his website, in public forums, in emails and in phone conversations, no doubt in hopes of undermining confidence in us. That's a clear indication that our superior product and pricing are having their desired affect. He is quick to point out a BBB complaint but fails to mention that the complaint was resolved.

Ø      On this page the vendor claims to be doing visitors a favor, "To save you some time and energy we've spent some time last Spring comparing ourselves to other popular software..." and asks, "Why do we give you all this information about our competitors?", suggesting that his comparison is a thorough representation of all competition. Representation of our software is conspicuously missing along with Liberty and several others.

Ø      Here again unsubstantiated claims are made about being the best and having been thorough in representing the truth about competition: "We've taken a lot of time to compare our program to our competitors to make sure that you, our customer, receive the best value for your money."

Ø      (vhsoftware.com/faq.htm, 4/13/2005)

Ø      Some of our competitors charge up to $100 per HOUR! [for support] No vendor charges this! consignpro.com/top10.htm, 6/9/06

Ø      Here's another false claim about updating "more than any other competitor". (vhsoftware.com, 5/8/2006)

Assessment of 'Consign Pro'

Consign Pro is a one-programmer operation attempting to influence with self proclamation and hyperbole, appealing as the good neighbor warning of the unscrupulous while operating under his own cloak of deception. He hopes a few will buy the charade and of course, his software. He misrepresents his product as 'free' and 'lowest price' when it is not. Updates are held hostage if annual support fees are not paid. There are more fees for incidental services. He suggests that his representation of his competition is thorough while he patronizes and insults website visitors, suggesting that he does them a favor by presenting an incomplete self-serving point of view. He attempts to portray a corporate image in multiple locations in large cities, borrowing prestige from the name 'New York' when he is in fact located in New Jersey.

Most recently we received a complaint that Wilson had allegedly hacked into a user's computer and removed the registration code and her data. Does he have access to your computer? Were you advised of this capability when you purchased the program? Require a written statement from Wilson that he does not have access to your computer.

This particular vendor only posts positive comments about themselves and their product. Read the whole truth here.

Lastly he lies about us in hopes of steering attention away from our lower pricing. The 'real story behind BCSS' he tells is nothing less than an outright lie. We have provided him with 'the truth' but of course in keeping with his deceptive tactics, he refuses to remove the defamation. If you are persuaded by his tactics, please let us know.

Financial Considerations

Consign Pro and others have more competition than just a couple of years ago. Their advertising costs are higher. Search Google, Yahoo and MSN for terms related to 'consignment' and 'consignment software' and observe which companies are paying for 'Sponsored Listings' (paid advertisements). The companies at the top pay the highest fees per visitor. It's no wonder Consign Pro's prices are among the highest. Seems they also want their customers to pay their advertising costs.

We are often asked why our prices are so much lower. A major reason is that we have very little advertising expense. Search any major search engine for 'consignment software'. Our website, bestconsignmentshopsoftware.com, is ranked #1 in the free listings just below the paid advertisers. (Please don't confuse our website with competitors who mimic our domain and product names. We are 'Best Consignment Shop Software'.)

Questions:

• Is honesty a requirement in your considerations?
• Will you be manipulated in other ways in the future?
• What does $10,000+ in software expense over 10 years buy?
• What happens to 'support' when this individual is gone?

If you are a current customer of Liberty, CCE or Consignpro and would like to switch to BCSS, we will convert your data for free and you will only pay the equivalent of your current support fees to us until the purchase price of BCSS ($395 or $595) is paid.

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