Sales Contract/Tech Support - worth it?

[Heidilr1]

Question - Being fairly new to using Powerchurch church and not being the one to have picked this software for our church, I'm still trying to determine if it is the right software for us because of some of the differences b/w how it is designed and how we are trying to use it. I called to ask a question and was offered the sales contract.

Has anyone purchased this? Has it been helpful? I want to be wise with our money, but am also really trying to discern if this is the best software for our situation.

Thank you,

[NeilZ]

Question - Being fairly new to using Powerchurch church and not being the one to have picked this software for our church, I'm still trying to determine if it is the right software for us because of some of the differences b/w how it is designed and how we are trying to use it. I called to ask a question and was offered the sales contract.

Has anyone purchased this? Has it been helpful? I want to be wise with our money, but am also really trying to discern if this is the best software for our situation.

Thank you,

Depends, the contract is for support. If you're planning to constantly call support for advice, needing immediate answers, then it may be worth the contract.

That said, asking the question here on the forums, in the correct category, will often get you real world answers from those who are using the program in a church. You may have to wait a day or so, but you'll usually get an answer.

[Zorak]

The two options are either a one-time support call (or e-mail) for $30, which includes a week of free follow-up support on the same issue, or six months of unlimited support for $124.

Basically, if you call more than four times in a six month period, like when first setting up the software and have lots of questions, the six month subscription is definitely the way to go.

[Eden Whitehead]

Question - Being fairly new to using Powerchurch church and not being the one to have picked this software for our church, I'm still trying to determine if it is the right software for us because of some of the differences b/w how it is designed and how we are trying to use it. I called to ask a question and was offered the sales contract.

Has anyone purchased this? Has it been helpful? I want to be wise with our money, but am also really trying to discern if this is the best software for our situation.

Thank you,

Heidi,

I am just an ordinary PowerChurch user - have been using this product for something like 4 years now. I just want to echo what Neil said about the user forum. I have had every one of my specific, direct questions answered very thoroughly, competently, and timely. I have also found that by monitoring the forums on a regular basis, many of my questions are asked by other users before I have to ask them; and, again, issues are resolved, confusion cleared up, and how-to's are put to use.

I have not had to call for tech support ONE TIME since the church first purchased the software.

All that said, from your original post it sounds as if you might have some non-traditional or non-standard uses. I would still recommend posting in the relevant portion of the forum for feedback from real-world users as well as support staff for how you envision using the software. More than likely you will get most, if not all, the help/insight you need.

Warm regards,
Eden