Visual Horizons Software - "ConsignPro" software

Owner: Brian Wilson
On market since: 1996
Current advertised price: $995
Based in: Florida

People ask me everyday, "Why is your software better than the others?".  The answer I give comes directly from our customers.  More customers choose ConsignPro for 3 simple reasons.

1. Our screens make ConsignPro simple to use and teach to others.  The software design is "intuitive" and most customers never look at our 110 page User Guide before using our program.  View our screens online.
   
   
2. Our support receives rave reviews from our customers.  Support is provided by the developers of the software so answers are always fast and accurate.  See what our customers say.
   
   
3. Our features provide a complete solution for your store.  We've been listening to our customers since Day 1 and have included literally hundreds of their suggestions into our software. We update our software almost every month with new suggestions to make it even better.

To be fair, our competitors criticize us in the following areas:

1. Myth: Our company has one employee.  Fact: We have 3 employees, Brian, Marc, and Allyson.  With a great program that simply works, we don't need a big team of support people.

2. Myth: Our software is a DOS program.  Fact: We've never had a DOS program.  ConsignPro was developed in 1996 for Windows 95 (or later) and won't run under DOS or Window 3.1. Most of our customers run WindowsXP.

3. Myth: You can't open many windows at the same time.  Fact: You won't need to. All our screens are designed to return you to our innovative Main Menu!

4. Myth: Our software is expensive.  Fact: Software prices range from $695 to $1,110 (for programs with similar feature sets) . We're competitively priced at $995.  We will admit, you can find cheaper resale software but you'll have a tough time finding better resale software!

ResaleWorld - "Liberty 2002" software (visit website)

President: Ed DiRuzza
On market since: 2002
Current advertised price: $995
Based in: Florida

Pros:

• ResaleWorld has been in this business the longest, since 1991.
• They are the "biggest" in this business.
• Program is feature rich and includes Internet selling.
• They are an affiliate member of industry group NARTS.

Cons:

• Since 2002, we've converted over 20 former Liberty customers to ConsignPro due, primarily, to customer service issues.  Essentially, these customers would have rather re-invested in new software ($$$) than continue doing business with ResaleWorld - quite a statement.  Click this link to contact any of these customers about their experience with both ResaleWorld and with ConsignPro!
• Their minimum system requirements are the highest in the industry and they are not compatible with all Windows operating systems.  Installation can be difficult.

CCE - "Consignment Success" software (visit website)

Owner: Bill Hawkins / George DeVere
On market since: Unknown
Current advertised price: $695 (+ modules)
Based in: California

Pros:

• CCE offers two products, a full-featured version and a scaled down version called "Best Consignment Software" - offered at a lower price.
• The software is "developer supported" meaning you receive technical help from the people who know the software the best.
• Support costs are reasonable.
• They are an affiliate member of industry group NARTS.

Cons:

• Their "user interface" (the way the screens are designed) is confusing to some customers (as reported by those who have purchased ConsignPro after trying the Consignment Success demo).
• They have 7 optional "modules" at about $60 each.  By the time you add these, the cost of "Consignment Success" is over $1,100.
• There is an on-going dispute between CCE and another company over the theft of this program and re-selling of it.  Learn more.
• They don't offer you a complete POS hardware solution including scan guns, receipt printers, cash drawers, via their website.

The Stoker Group - "Stoker Consignment" software (visit website)

Contact: Jessica
On market since: 1995
Current advertised price: $699
Based in: Colorado

Pros:

• Family owned and operated.
• Good reputation for customer service.
• Competitively priced.
• Free technical support.
• They are an affiliate member of industry group NARTS.

Cons:

• Lacks some of the features found in other software programs.
• Their "user interface" (the way the screens are designed) is confusing to some customers (as reported by those who have purchased ConsignPro after trying the Stoker Consignment demo).

Net Money Business - "Best Consignment Shop Software" (BCSS)

You may have come across one of our unscrupulous competitors while searching the web for consignment software.  This particular competitor found an interesting way to enter the market for consignment software (below) and we thought you should know.  This competitor has also maligned our company on his website so we're inclined to answer him here.  If you believe any of this is untrue, ask yourself, simply, "Why is his software is so cheap?".  Hint: It's not because he saves a lot by not advertising on search engines -- as his website would have you believe!

The real story behind BCSS.*

In 2002, Steve Henning, an Internet marketing specialist (not a software developer) and owner of Net Money Business, entered into a marketing agreement with software developer Bill Hawkins, who developed and sells "Best Consignment Software".  Under the agreement, Steve would market Bill's software via his own website and marketing methods, collect the money, and pay Bill (less his commission).  Bill would then unlock the demo software for the customer.  Over time, their relationship went sour and Bill terminated the agreement with Steve.  This, however, didn't stop Steve from selling the software (which technically was no longer his right to do).  Having a program he never had the expense of writing, Steve changed the name slightly (from "Best Consignment Software" to "Best Consignment Shop Software") and offered the program, one that he could not effectively support, for $295!

Not being very successful in this pursuit, but having a real taste for selling software, Steve began developing (actually, having a contract programmer develop) his own consignment software program - where his experience in this business came from - we're not certain.  Steve now has a program he can sell but hopefully this history will give you some insight into Steve and Net Money Business.

Other interesting things you'll notice about his website:

• His company, "Net Money Business" isn't even on his BCSS website.  Why not?

• This "software vendor" can also sell you condoms, hemorrhoid medicine, long distance service, or help you with your next catered event !!  (they sure are busy at Net Money Business).

• He offers a discount when paying by cashiers check, money order, or wire transfer.  Why?  (Remember, you have no recourse if you want your money back with any of these).

• He discourages the use of credit cards to buy the software (see his Terms and Conditions).  (Remember, if you pay by credit card, you have recourse if you want your money back).

• He has no refund policy after the software is unlocked.  Unheard of.

• He is not a member of trusted industry watchdog group NARTS.  Why not?

• Where is this company located??  (we know it's TN but can you find it?!)

• You can't place your order online - why is that?!

• "All software sales are final." (right from his Terms page)  Unheard of.

• "Payment for hardware is nonrefundable." (right from his Terms page)

• References?  He makes none available (see his Terms and Conditions).  Are consignment shop owners really too busy to answer the phone?!

Buyer beware!  All of these things - which the casual observer might not even notice - should raise red flags!!

We have included this information to educate and protect consumers as you may come across it while surfing the net.  To learn more about this situation, and how it has hurt unsuspecting customers, visit Bill Hawkins website fraud page.  If you've been a victim yourself, report the fraud online.

*This information was accurate as of April 1st, 2005.  Situations often change. You can also contact Bill Hawkins for an update on this situation.

Final Thoughts: In our opinion, the three legitimate competitors on this page are worthy of your consideration.  They have been in this business long enough to be viable and each have happy customers to their credit.  As you look a the demo's available you should be thinking about how easy each program is to use and whether the features you need are included.  You should also talk to the customers of each program and find out about their experience with the support they receive (a critical part of your choice in companies).  We feel that we have the easiest to use software for resale shop owners and consider ALL of our customers references.  We hope you feel the same.

All information on this page was gathered from individual company websites as of April 1st, 2005 and from customer feedback.  Information can sometimes change.  We suggest contacting individual companies to verify the information as you see fit. We will update this page as necessary.