I wish I were a new alpha user

[David Day]

It was really kind of alpha to offer the free hour of help with alpha for NEW PURCHASERS ONLY. I guess I purchased my version too soon. I find this troubling because I have been an alpha user since version 3 and if I was a new customer then I get the service.

I dont get it. If you are a loyal purchaser then you get nothing. Something wrong with that???? I assure you I am not a moaner but I find this highly unfair. What does everyone else think?

[matthias kaelin]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

It's even worse!

If you don't live in USA, UK or Italy, you won't get any help even when you buy a new license!

Matthias Kaelin

[Keith Hubert]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

David,

First of all as an old Alpha user you would of had different incentives along the way, eg full refund of upgrade from V4.5 to V5

I think you are in the very eviable position of being able to help all these new users with all the skill you have gotten for free on this message board and I am sure you will want to pass on your knowlage to these new users.

I bet there are lots of things you can teach me with regard to Alpha. I am willing to learn and help others where I can.

Keith Hubert
Guild Member
London.

[Keith Hubert]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

Yes you will get help in the UK.

Keith Hubert
Guild Member
London.

[Jim Cole]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

Do think the automobile mgg should give you the new cash back incentive on a car you allready own? Sales incentives are a standard way of doing business. Alpha is under no obligation to extend a new sales incentive to old customers.

[martinwcole]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

David - email me, and I'll give you a free hour of help.

[Louis Nickerson]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

If I understand the free support program correctly, this is not a service being offered by Alpha Software directly, rather it is a courtesy that the "member supported and staffed" Alpha Guild is extending to new users.

Each member of "The Guild" receives opportunities from Alpha Software to contact new Alpha purchasers with an offer to assist them in becoming familiar with the product and how it works, answer any questions they might have AND offer their consulting services...for a fee!

I don't know this to be a fact, but I suspect that this offering is the brain child of the guild, not Alpha software, and I think it is a very generous offer considering that these folks have their own projects to work on and businesses to run.

David...You've been using Alpha since version 3? Perhaps you too could join the Alpha Guild so that you can share your extensive experience with new users?

Heck, you might even make a buck or two.

[David Day]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

I appreciate all your responses. However, I do have a different outlook then what is being presented. It used to be as a good customer you got incentives for continuing using a product. Personally, I am not appreciative of the new style of getting new customers. For instance, I bought and installed my dish satellite. Many years later after paying the bill on time and being a good customer I am not given any of these incentives. Now they are giving it away with free installation. When I called them and asked for a second receiver I was advise that it would cost me 49.95. No exceptions! Well I am no longer a dish customer. I am quite aware of the "new technique" of getting new customers but I am not a fan of this practice.

Please understand, I am not a bitcher and moaner. It's just when I ask if I could get that same benefit and am told it is for "new customers" only then I will say how I feel. I have been an alpha advocate after working with Q&A as a consultant. As alpha knows many people here are very dedicated to their product. Lets not treat this as a black and white situation.

When we make marketing decisions then we have to be able to stand the criticism that comes with it. Enough said!

[Bo Vandenberg]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

:)

Hey David, I just started with Alpha a month ago. Missed the offer by days.

But out of the kindness of my heart I'll give you an hour of free consultation ;) Go ahead ask anything I dont know :)

I'd trade the learning curve for experience but no free consultation.

Bo

[RJGowan]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

David:
Alpha's home page says "over 1 million database products sold," and while it may well be that not all of them are what you call "good customers", just who would you expect to provide the (potentially) 1 million hours of free consultation?

I think you have missed the point of what the incentive is about, and what the Guild is about. From my perspective, Alpha is already rewarding its loyal customers in the most productive way possible - by focussing on quick fixes of bugs, and creating better new products.

Do I wish I could get an hour of free consultation - I mean - besides the dozens, (or hundreds?) of free hours I get from using this forum ? Sure, of course I do.

But do I wish I was a new Alpha user? Not a chance !!
I just have to think about what I was using before Alpha !!

Bob

[David Day]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

Look guys, I appreciate your responses but for some reason you don't get it. I asked a simple question and got the refusal. I am not looking for sympathy. That is not the issue. All companies set their standards and that's perfectly fine. However, not everyone will want that either. Many of you have user groups in areas where alpha is strong. I used to live in St. Louis and now I live in Springfield Mo and I still have yet to find anyone around here who uses alpha.

I don't want anyones charity and actually I resent the implication. I was stating a fact and that's it. I defended Alpha with their price jump. When I think they are right I will do that. However, if I think they are wrong I will criticize. I am somewhat offended by the attitude. What, do we have the politically correct police out there? Chill guys.

[RJGowan]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

You DID ask what others thought !!!

[Bo Vandenberg]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

David

I apologise if you found my comment insulting, it wasn't meant so. I think I just wanted to point out that the "free hour" for most users is likely going to be a lot like a test drive. How do I get started....

Software introductions most often don't ask deep and probing questions. They can center on a useful 'welcome to Alpha' topic list that people who have used the software for a while are likely familiar with. For the consultant they also offer an opportunity because it might establish a regular relationship with the same shared outlook from the beginning.

I imagine more experienced users would be harder to give the hour to because one is more likely to hear about older issues that may not have a solution, or cannot be resolved in one hour.

David, I really didn't think you were asking for charity, just griping about a deal you weren't part of. Since you said you wished you were a 'new' alpha user, and I am one, I thought I'd give my 2 cents.

I personally think there isn't a single good consultant who won't venture a free hour of time with a possible client, if they have the time to spare. Its shrewd to create a way to make your own deal.

Good luck, Bo

[Brett Johnston]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

Some background on this promo:

this reply is being sent by richard rabins, [email protected]

The big picture.

Alpha is focused primarily on building excellent database software and giving users a choice in a world where, based on Microsoft's marketing and licensign tactics, most consumers and businesses think that MS Access is their ONLY choice! (bear in mind that the under Federal Law Microsoft has been found to be a monopolist).

Alpha does not see itself as slick marketing company by any means, but rather relies on hard work and a laser beam focus on product innovation and excellence. Besides the product, we know that our other "secret weapon" is our customer base, i.e. you and and your colleagues who have made a bold decision to think for yourselves and choose a tool that is right for YOU.

It is therefore troubling to read that even a small minority of our customers felt this consulting promotion was unfair. Our motivation is very simple -- we have hundreds and increasingly, thousands of people coming to our web site willing to try Alpha Five (in the face of potential hostility from their clients and bosses who may not have heard of Alpha Five). Our promotion is simply aimed at getting those people "over the hump" so they can join, and over time, contribute to this incredible Alpha User Community that you ALL have created for the greater good.

In the ligth of this background, I fervently hope and trust that this note will shed some light on the topic.

Thanks for reading this and thank you for being a member of the Alpha Five Community.

[David Day]

RE: I wish I were a new alpha user

Well you opened up a can of worms as I said before. There are also some of us who could use the help to. When I emailed and was told no I must admit I was somewhat put off. We that have supported alpha just think it should not be a black and white issue and there should be more said than just no.

I really don't appreciate the attitude of some people seeminglike we are asking for something that we don't deserve. All I did was ask a question. As I have said earlier I have backed alpha all the way. There is always a danger that when these types of promotions are brought out that some people who truly need help and have supported alpha should get especially if some of the new customers are getting it too.

What I am most trying to figure out is why some of the people on this board are being so defensive for alpha and attacking me. I would have thought the answer would have been slightly different. It really does get tough sometimes when you pay good money for a program and just ask for what someone else is getting and get this kind of response. Truly disappointing!