That’s it … I’ve finally decided to jump on the bandwagon of business owners who have decided that enough is enough when it comes to 1ShoppingCart.com’s latest policy changes.
1) Always a brilliant move (NOT)! Make your customers pay $29 per month if they want to speak to tech support on the phone. Now, when you call tech support, if you don’t pay for their monthly support service, they tell you to hang up and open a ticket. Strike 1!
2) Very early last year they caught on to the fact that many of their customers were using WishList Member – one of many third party software applications that require an API key to integrate with the shopping cart. Well apparently, the powers that be figured they were losing a boatload of money by making the API Key available with just the Basic 1SC account (autoresponder/shopping cart package @ $59 per month), so they changed their policy to require customers to purchase the $99 per mo nth pro package in order to get the API Key. Strike 2!
3) As if their customers weren’t already paying what many already felt was an unusually high monthly fee at $99 per month, they let the bomb drop that they were increasing their rates. And increase them they did! 1SC increased the Pro account to … get this … $129 per month. Wow, $129 per month! That’s a 30% increase PER MONTH! Strike 3 … you’re OUT!!!
I believe one major fail on the part of Web.com (the owners of 1SC) was and is continuing to think they are the only game in town. Unfortunately for them, they are not. Yes, this tip ezine is powered by 1SC, but I don’t have or need the full shopping cart package – just the autoresponder package, which was only increased by $5 – so the urgency isn’t that great for me. Plus, I really dislike in aWeber, and need to scope out my other options before making the switch – but make the switch I will!! However … I’ve alr eady been approached by several of my clients and will be helping them determine which shopping cart system will best meet their needs, and as laborious as it might turn out to be, will be helping them make the switch to another system that will do everything 1SC can do (and maybe more) at a much lower cost, and hopefully backed by a company whose definition of customer service is not based on how many $$$$ go into their pockets!
Here are two of the top contenders I’ve found so far. And no, neither one of them are affiliate links!.
Red Oak Cart (Pretty much everything you get with the 1SC pro account, but only $77 per month)
Premium Web Cart Soooo much better than 1SC at $99.97 per month. Upgrade to elite for $149.97 per month and get the full CRM and some other goodies! Check out their cart comparison feature to see all of their exclusive features and more!
Check them out carefully and get back to me if you have any questions. I’m still on the lookout for others, and may be putting a more comprehensive list with pros and cons together soon. If I do, I’ll be sure to share my findings with you.
Happy shopping!!
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In business since 1991, Terry Green is the founder/CEO/President of BizEase Support Solutions, an American-based, online marketing support company comprised of a team of talented professionals from around North America. BizEase excels at providing speakers and business coaches worldwide with seamless online marketing solutions, from setting up shopping carts and editing video, to writing blog posts and managing Social Media and PR campaigns. BizEase clients (who span five continents) take great joy in allowing the BizEase team to take care of the details so they can get back to doing what they do best! Click here to get our weekly tips ezine delivered to your inbox every other Friday, with tips on plugins, apps, and tools to make you more productive today!
This question begs no debate or argument and does not point fingers at you specifically.
Why is it okay for you to raise your rates? However, when a technology provider increases its rates, you complain and jump ship?
Just like your business, employee wages and other costs continue to rise. Justifibly, the rates you pay should go up.
The problem with the ecommerce software industry is competitors compete on price instead of competing on service.
I do not work for Web.com or 1SC. In fact, I dislike the lack of honesty Web.com has in doing business. Maybe one day they will be more honest.
Johnny … there is absolutely nothing wrong with 1SC raising their rates. The complaint regarding the rate raise, however, is that it was a 30% rate raise, which is really unreasonable. My complaint(s) are also built on the 3-strike rule too … 1) charging for technical support, then changing things so customers have to upgrade to the pro package if they want to continue using 3rd party applications, and then the outrageously high rate increase.