Drummohr Auto Renewal

Drummohr Auto Renewal

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Has anyone, like me, had Drummohr do an "auto renewal" and take funds from your bank that you haven't authorised?

On complaining the sales team say that the renewals team will call back but it will be within 72 hours as they are extremely busy. (I am assuming dealing with situations such as mine!)

Having used Drummohr for more than 10 years I do not want to change but find their behavior unacceptable. Can anyone suggest the best alternative software for tax return submissions.

Replies (19)

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By ShirleyM
06th Mar 2013 13:10

There are loads of recommendation on AWeb

TaxCalc, BTC, Absolute, all have many users on here.

TaxCalc & BTC offer a free trial, so that gives a great big tick in my book. I think Absolute do, too, but am not 100% certain.

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By thomas34
06th Mar 2013 13:32

Don't Cut Your Nose Off

to spite your face. I suspect that the auto-renewal licence agreement clause in Iris's terms and conditions contravenes the Unfair Contract Terms Act but wouldn't have the time or inclination to challenge it. Either way it's an appalling exercise in PR on Iris's part - I guess they procure renewals this way from unsuspecting customers. The trick is to be aware of the contract termination date and formally give say three and a half months' notice to terminate (I think the contract quotes 90 days). You can then negotiate a new one year deal. I too was the victim of credit card abuse but am still with PTP Iris because I like the product. Their products are expensive particularly due to their "cliff-edge" pricing structure and on price alone I doubt that you'd better Absolute's packages.

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By User deleted
06th Mar 2013 13:51

BTC

I use BTC and would seriously recommend it.

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By Steve Holloway
06th Mar 2013 14:08

PTP started auto renewals ...

and I was also suitably annoyed enough to change. To be fair they did phone up before the auto enrollment deadline to remind me but generally I think this is just shoddy practice and won't dissapear unless we vote to punish it by changing. I am currently looking at BTC solution for CT.

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By BigBadWolf
06th Mar 2013 14:19

IRIS

Well ... that's what happens when Iris takes over - shoddy customer service and pushy sales... vote with your feet!

 

I notice they have recently taken over Accountant Websmiths - god help those unsuspecting customers!

 

 

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By remhonps
06th Mar 2013 14:24

BTC Practice Solution

We've been using BTC for 4 years having transferred from Drummohr. The BTC Practice Manager software includes integrated CTax and Company House filing and is mustard. So glad we changed.

P

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By refs8
06th Mar 2013 23:06

BTC for me.
As our practice was growing there was a number of reasons we moved from Drummohr. The first one was number of users BTC was up to 10 where as Drummohr was pay per pc. All our six staff now have access to the software, even staff who use it occasionally. Despite numerous requests we were unable get a server version of Drummohr. Paying annual instead of monthly was a minor consideration without paying a high APR for a loan. The change over was done very well by BTC which included nearly a days worth data transfer done by them and I was mighty impressed.

The personal tax software is good, the CT not bad but they openly admit it needs a little work but still does a good job. I actually believe there is more to be leant on the software and looking forward to yea 2 with there software. I also believe tha you can already prepare 2013 tax returns as had an update that we have yet to check it out.

I would rate it 95 / 100 and recommend it

Hope this helps.

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By girlofwight
07th Mar 2013 00:07

I'm sure the auto renew does breach unfair contract terms - I've written to them the old fashioned way, of course with no reply, stating that I have no intention to move away from Drummohr but I don't accept the auto renew. 

Mind you, its typical IRIS.  My heart sank when they bought Drummohr, as their track record on customer service sucks - who remembers the IRIS fiasco around payroll online filing?

Taxwise tried to slip the autorenew to our fee protection insurance; another example of a good company taken over by a parent with sharp businesses practices (Peninsula in this case)

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By gimme5
08th Mar 2013 11:36

Thanks for your replies

I posted here yesterday but it did not seem to appear (due to "timed-out")

 

At the time of posting I had not heard from Drummohr but in the afternoon received an email explaining how the auto renew was for my convenience! and also offering a refund. The proposed refund will take, after processing, 5-10 days to reach my account. (not sure what sort of system could take that long!))

I am considering my position on the software and interested in BTC after the positive comments and the fact it integrates with VT which we use (it does iXBRL very easily and efficiently) but migrating 13 years of Drummohr data may be just to much of a burden to do quickly?

Anyway many thanks for all your views and advice. It is reassuring, as a sole practitioner, that I am not alone in these matters.

Incidentally I posted comments on Twitter about this situation using the #Drummohr so if you want to add to them to create a stream on that # maybe Iris will take notice.

Cheers

Jeff Neil

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By remhonps
08th Mar 2013 15:34

too much of a burden ?

BTC will transfer all of your clients across from Drummohr, so arguably there will be a minimum of client re-keying. As long as you have complete copies of the 2012 tax returns for use as a 2013 reference you shouldn't have a problem. Allow an extra 10 minutes per tax return to top and tail in year 1 and I would have thought all will be well.

 

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By Ken Howard
08th Mar 2013 15:55

I'm glad I left them

I left them a few years ago in the April after the takeover was announced.  I had no intention of staying with them if they were owned by IRIS or their ilk due to similar sharp practices I'd suffered in the past.  I moved to taxcalc and have never looked back.  

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By refs8
09th Mar 2013 12:25

Data transfer was good, agreed about allowing 10 minutes or so, per tax return in the first year, we are now in our second year with BTC and looking forward to maximising the use of software this year.

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By claudialowe
11th Mar 2013 14:42

Thanks!

I am another one who has had enough of PTP/Iris' sharp practices.  They have not only charged me for a product I did not order, but also took the DD out a month early.  I phoned sales on Thursday morning, and they said that accounts would phone back within 24 hours, but I am still waiting.

 

Went to the bank this morning, and they are recalling the direct debit.  They have upset me sufficiently that I will keep going with this matter.

 

Off to go and have a look at BTCs products now :-)

 

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By nmprobinson
11th Mar 2013 15:11

Another BTC...

Another vote for BTC from me.  Superb software and great customer service.

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By ralan
14th Mar 2013 11:49

Try Digita

Been using all Digita software for years, they actually send out an invoice and you pay before the licence renewal date and do it all online.

I seem to remeber they do a migration service, give them a call.

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By The Innkeeper
14th Mar 2013 12:09

Direct Debit Guarantree

Presumably you can invoke this and ask your bank to recall the money asap ( PS that's why I hate Direct Debits  - standing orders are great )

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Replying to mrme89:
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By gimme5
15th Mar 2013 17:09

Direct Debit

I never allowed them to put a Direct Debit in place so they could not auto-renew. They had my debit card details so just took the money from there!

Following my complaints they have now refunded the payment.

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By claudialowe
14th Mar 2013 13:32

Oh yes!

The bank have refunded my money through the DD guarantee scheme.  I have sent them a letter (recorded delivery) saying that I was terminating my agreement with them (having a 3rd year law student for a daughter was useful on the legality of what I was proposing!!) - but they have yet to reply to me - but as I have waited a week for them to return my telephone call, I don't hold out the greatest hope of a reply!

 

I agree with you Innkeeper - really dislike DDs as you have no control :-)

 

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By debrahuzzard
14th Mar 2013 14:29

Drummohr to BTC

I too was a loyal Drummohr customer who had recommended them to collegues many times over the years but felt conned into buying extra modules once IRIS took over. Moved to BTC and VT last year and very happy. BTC support is excellent and did the transfer of info from Drummohr for me by taking over the PC remotely. I had also trialed other packages such as Absolute and Keytime but given the main BTC package produces unlimited numbers of returns and includes Trust returns (which are an add on for Drummohr) the move saved me a lot of money and, as I say, I have a lot of confidence in BTC support which is important as a one man (woman) band.

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