MYOB/MAMUT rip off!!!

KateCB · Apr 20, 2009

We purchased MYOB accounting plus system 2 years ago - works well.

MYOB have sold their UK clients to Mamut, who have today offered to upgrade us to their E5 version so that they can 'better support us in the future' - the upgrade cost - FREE! Ah, but their OBLIGATORY service agreement is £348+VAT per year - we purchased 2 user licences from MYOB, so assumed that these would remain intact - NO.

We are told that each additional user licence costs £590+VAT, PLUS for every user an additional service agreement at £348+VAT per year!

We have two users - they are 10 feet apart in the same office - why do we need two service agreements?

As a small business, we had not budgeted for, and frankly can't afford £800 in user agreements and another £630 for a second licence (that we have already paid MYOB for anyway!), nor can we afford to buy another system - times are tough - looks like I am going and buying a couple of ledgers and going back to doing it the old fashioned way!

Anyone else had the same deal offered - or perhaps a different, more palatable one - would be nice to hit them with inconsistencies?

dp0848 · Apr 20, 2009

Its for these sort of reasons that I abandoned MYOB even though its a good product. Now using Solar Accounts which is excellent and very good value for money.

paultnl · Apr 20, 2009

Dare I mention Kashflow?

dp0848 · Apr 20, 2009

What? KashFlow is a rip off as well as MYOB .... don't let Duane hear you saying that.

No, KashFlow is worth a look, very easy to use.

DuaneJackson · Apr 20, 2009

Hi Kate,

We've heard from a few people that aren't happy with the MYOB / Mamut stuff.

Send us your MYOB and we'll give you KashFlow for free - better be quick though - offer runs out in 10 days. Details here.

streetslocal · Apr 20, 2009

DuaneJackson said:
Hi Kate,

We've heard from a few people that aren't happy with the MYOB / Mamut stuff.

Send us your MYOB and we'll give you KashFlow for free - better be quick though - offer runs out in 10 days. Details here.

its an excellent offer Duanne...

DuaneJackson · Apr 20, 2009

streetslocal said:
its an excellent offer Duanne...

Thanks streeeets.

streetslocal · Apr 20, 2009

DuaneJackson said:
Thanks streeeets.

Its the extra E

Im always doing that.....

Sorry Duane..

KateCB · Apr 20, 2009

Having a look at KashFlow now......

It turns out we got MYOB 5 years ago - proof of purchase etc is archived (on the roof in a box!) now, and I am not sure that we kept the original box/disc as since then they have upgraded by download.....our office manager says that when you have your bonfire can she come along and put the user manual on the fire herself whilst gleefully cackling with joy.....

Tom McClelland · Apr 20, 2009

DuaneJackson said:
Hi Kate,
We've heard from a few people that aren't happy with the MYOB / Mamut stuff.

We've acquired quite a few new payroll users who were annoyed at what's happened with MYOB/Mamut. The users tell us that this year's payroll release from them is very messy and involves lots of keying stuff in again. A fine opportunity to switch. Apparently it was called "Dosh" before and was very popular. Then MYOB was OK, but they really don't like Mamut, or perhaps it is one change too many.

Given that we've actually spoken to several of these people there must be 20x as many trying us out from the website. And we're just one payroll supplier out of many.

UKSEOAgency · Apr 20, 2009

My Wife uses Mamut Daily in her office, she says the biggest problem with it is the other users in the office not updating the system!

DuaneJackson · Apr 20, 2009

KateCB said:
Having a look at KashFlow now......

It turns out we got MYOB 5 years ago - proof of purchase etc is archived (on the roof in a box!) now, and I am not sure that we kept the original box/disc as since then they have upgraded by download.....our office manager says that when you have your bonfire can she come along and put the user manual on the fire herself whilst gleefully cackling with joy.....

We'll make an exception for you. Just send over the manual - I hear it's quite a thick one!

LOL at the thought of your office manager cackling with joy : )

KateCB · Apr 20, 2009

Thanks Duane, I appreciate that - I will get Zoe to collect the discs she hoarded (clever girl - but don't tell her!) and the manual and send them to you as soon as she downloads the trial - if it is less confusing that MYOB she will be delighted - I can see her jumping on the manual now....yes, she has done that when support couldn't answer her questions in the past!

Jeewhizz · Apr 20, 2009

KateCB said:
Thanks Duane, I appreciate that - I will get Zoe to collect the discs she hoarded (clever girl - but don't tell her!) and the manual and send them to you as soon as she downloads the trial - if it is less confusing that MYOB she will be delighted

You don't have to download anything - it all runs in your browser online, so you can access it from any number of computers simultaneously. You could even check it on the weekend if you so desire

RAL · Apr 20, 2009

I am not sure whether users are aware of this news that "Mamut's future is in doubt."

http://www.accountancyage.com/accountancyage/news/2240141/mamutstory

So if you are a user of MYOB or Mamut you may need to think fast.

Brightpearl · Apr 20, 2009

If you were using MYOB to it's full then you would be looking for features like stock control - depends what you're looking for. The reason that the manual is thick is because it actually does quite a lot. It's good software, the problem is that it's not going to be supported for much longer.

Pearl does a complete MYOB import that you can manage yourself - just export 3 CSV files from your MYOB accounts and you can get up and running in Pearl in just a few minutes... products, customers, suppliers and all account balances. We even have a way to make Pearl look like MYOB, using the same ledger codes and tax classes so that you can get going without having to learn a whole new system.

There's no information page on our site because we've been too busy [with some exciting news due on 1st May] - so get in touch via PM or on the forum - or else just give us a call

There are a couple of accountants we work with that can help you along if you need.

Chris

Zedbee · Apr 22, 2009

DuaneJackson said:
We'll make an exception for you. Just send over the manual - I hear it's quite a thick one!

LOL at the thought of your office manager cackling with joy : )

At times I do Cackle, I can scare a few people with my Cackle!!

I have looked at Kashflow - played and even set up customers and done invoices and payments with much Ease! MYOB said it was User friendly yet took me two years to learn how to use some of the applications but not all!! After playing around with Kashflow for around an hour I was jumping on the MYOB manual as Kashflow is the definition of USER FRIENDLY and its quite pretty too!!!

I have just finished my NVQ level 3 but I had to tell my assesor about it as she works with so many SME's and this program is absolutly perfect for SME's.

I am very excited about working with Kashflow and can see it helping the running of the business enormously!!

I'll be sending the disc's and the battered manual to you tomorrow Duane! Thanks again!!

The Cackling Office Manager - Zoe

KateCB · Apr 23, 2009

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the info, we bought MYOB as it did everythig that SAGE did originally, and included stock control and payroll - we don't actually use the stock control and as there are only 3 of us on payroll that is easily done using the Employers CD ROM that HMRC kindly send each year! It was too large for our needs really.

We have started with KashFlow, so far our office manager is thrilled - it may be that as we grow we need to add back in the stock control and Payroll, so I will bear pearl in mind for future use

Zedbee · Apr 23, 2009

Hi!
I do Cackle at times - tend to scare people with it comes in quite handy!!

I have been playing around with KashFlow for a few days now and it is so user feidnly it's great! MYOB said that was user friend but KashFlow IS THE DEFINITION!!! I had been on around 10 mins when I got an order through did an invoice - paid it and sent the invoice to him within 5 mins! Much easier to use the MYOB!! It is fantastic!

I have just finished my NVQ level 3 but I had to call my assesor and told her about this - she works with alot of SME's and this program is perfect for people in that situation rather than getting something like Sage which has everything that SME's may not need to use!

I can see KashFlow helping the day-to-day running of this business enormously! AND when Kate asks me to check something on an invoice at the weekend I CAN!!

All round great, easy to use program!

Yesterday i was jumping on the MYOB manual - it may be alittle battered when it gets to you Duane!!

The Cackling Office Manager -Zoe

DuaneJackson · Apr 23, 2009

KateCB said:
We have started with KashFlow, so far our office manager is thrilled - it may be that as we grow we need to add back in the stock control and Payroll, so I will bear pearl in mind for future use

That's great to hear. KAshFlow is constantly evolviing, so hopefully by the time you need those features, they'll be there or be integrated - Payroll is on it's way.

Zedbee said:
Yesterday i was jumping on the MYOB manual - it may be alittle battered when it gets to you Duane!!

No problem - as long as it burns! : )

stugster · Apr 23, 2009

DuaneJackson said:
No problem - as long as it burns! : )

I thought you were joking at the start of your promo. Now I'm not so sure. Are you the major issue facing global warming this year?

Bryan Richter · May 12, 2009

There is some understandable uncertainty and confusion about the position of MYOB customers and Mamut's plans so I have pasted below the text of a posting I made yesterday in another thread. I hope this helps to clarify the situation for customers.

>>> MYOB made the decision to withdraw from the UK market as a result of which Mamut decided to acquire part oftheir UK business. It was not the other way around as many people are assuming. We are now the sole distributor of MYOB products in the UK, but since MYOB have decided to discontinue their UK product we are offering a migration path to the equivalent Mamut product and offering very attractive commercial terms to do so. Like any distributor, we do not control the license agreement for the software nor the license activation process. We do not have the option to continue to sell, support or license the MYOB products beyond the dates determined by MYOB when they decided to leave the UK market.

We are continuing to sell the MYOB products on our web site because there are users who wish to buy additional licenses. At the time of purchase, these customers are made aware that the product is close to end of life. We are an ethical organisation and have no intention of misleading anyone. These users are also made fully aware of future migration options.

We believe that the Mamut products offer a very viable alternative to MYOB and there are many customers who have successfully and happily migrated. Unfortunately, of course, they are not the ones that typically post on these message boards. So I would encourage any concerned customers to call the Mamut support line since the team there are the same people that support the MYOB products and are therefore best positioned to give advice on a comparison between the products and how the migration process works.

Naturally, many of our competitors see this as an opportunity to convert the MYOB customers to their own products, as they are very entitled to do. As a result they are happy to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt on these message boards without necessarily declaring their vested interest in the issue. Many of them charge an annual support fee as we do, others charge a monthly fee for the use of the software

Any concerned customers should feel free to call me in our Hammersmith office or speak to any of the team there. We welcome your comments and want to make this as smooth as we can for customers.

DuaneJackson · May 12, 2009

Bryan Richter said:
Naturally, many of our competitors see this as an opportunity to convert the MYOB customers to their own products, as they are very entitled to do. As a result they are happy to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt on these message boards without necessarily declaring their vested interest in the issue. Many of them charge an annual support fee as we do, others charge a monthly fee for the use of the software

(my bolding)

If you're going to keep saying that, you really should back it up with some facts or firm finger pointing. I don't see anyone here saying anything about MYOB/Mamut without their "interest" being obvious.

Bryan Richter · May 12, 2009

Hi Duane

You are 100% clear on your interest in this and I appreciate that. I think that applies to most people, but bear in mind that my comment was a general one and not just refering to postings on UK Business Forums.

It's good that we can have healthy competition while still putting the interests of our customers first.

DuaneJackson · May 12, 2009

OK, thanks. It was the "these message boards" bit that threw me

Good to have that sort of cleared up (the use of "just" keeps it ambiguous!)

Tom McClelland · May 12, 2009

DuaneJackson said:
OK, thanks. It was the "these message boards" bit that threw me

Good to have that sort of cleared up (the use of "just" keeps it ambiguous!)

Perhaps if the claim of deceptive self-promotion doesn't apply to UKBF postings it would have been better to exclude that particular paragraph from the UKBF board.

Brightpearl · May 12, 2009

Thanks for the post Bryan - there is a lot of uncertainty on the issue for the end users (and their accountants!). Mamut is a great alternative to MYOB for the more advanced users - visit their site here to read more about the offering.

KateCB · May 12, 2009

Bryan.......If you read my original post, you will see WHY we objected to Mamut....we are being asked to pay again for things we have already bought and at a vastly increased cost....we have spoken to two of your colleagues at mamut, who were less than helpful.....we also read that Mamut are in the process of being sold, so no doubt there will be ANOTHER change at MORE cost in the future for mamut users too.....Kashflow is a smaller app than MYOB/MAMUT, however we are very happy with it so far.........

Bryan Richter · May 12, 2009

Hi Kate

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate that my posting was not exactly applicable to your issue, and apologise for that, but I was trying to pick up on a number of concerns that had appeared in other postings on this message board and others. Understandably there are a lot of questions and I want to get the accurate picture to customers through any means possible.

I would have liked to be able to find a solution to your specific problem, but despite that am pleased you have found something that works for you and wish you luck. Even so, I will take your comments on board so that we learn from them in the interests of other customers.

With regards to your comment about Mamut being sold, I am not sure what you have read, but there is nothing that I am aware of that would result in customers needing to do make another change.

KateCB · May 12, 2009

Thanks for the respones Bryan, There was something in one of the thread on here - a link stating that mamut was in talks with another company as there were not performing as well as they had hoped; apparently the talks had been extended - I will have a trawl and see if I can find it again, however is mamut are bought by another acconting guru type company, they will want MYOB/MAMUT users to migrate to THEIR system (as naturally they will be unable/unwilling to support anything else at some point!) and we all start again - new company, new software, MORE money.....?

DuaneJackson · May 14, 2009

New blog post about the MYOB/Mamut stuff: How to Lose Customers and Alienate People: A lesson from Norway

Ray1971 · Oct 12, 2011

I have just joined the myobusergroup.co.uk who have come up with a solution and can supply confirmation codes. £35 per year

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