Beachbum110

Before I begin my rant towards Helios, I want to preface by saying the software has been real easy to use (aside from some of the reports)… and the technical staff has always been real helpful to me every time I called (including after hours, which he didn’t charge me for).

But… (and the punch line to the rant is last)

Wow! Just got off the phone with Helios (which is German for Extortion) I think???

First lets look at the word and definition:

Pronunciation: ik-'stor-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the act or practice of extorting especially money or other property; especially : the offense committed by an official engaging in such practice
2 : something extorted; especially : a gross overcharge

Sounds fitting????

So I wanted to write my letter and fax it over… and then follow-up with a fax to verify the billing department received it.

Now we all know about the “Terms & Conditions” we had to agree to (or be forced to sign) to get the software. Who reads all those little words anyway? (just tell me how much its going to cost me).

Anyway… after to speaking/debating their terms and conditions with them... I am disgusted by the way they treat the people that are keeping them in business. I wanted to cancel my $600.00 hit in January, and instead re-up during the busy season when we all have fits-full of $100 bills (yeah right.. In a dilluted tanning market, is there still such thing as a busy season?)

Well, they don’t except Phone calls, Faxes, or Emails… after debating that those are all viable means of communication in the year 2006. Apparently it has to be written in ink using a quail pen on handmade paper only from a rain forrest tree.

I cannot cancel now because its within the 30-day window of my renewal… so after telling her I don’t want to have to cancel my checking account (which I will to prove a point) just to avoid being charged… she offered to switch me to $49.99 per month (What a bargin).

She also advised me that her Gym has the same policy… to which I informed her that Gym memberships are a notorious scam… Does Helios was to be in the same scam-based billing practice as the infamous Bally’s??? If someone wants to quit immediately they should have the right to in any format they please… and not be extorted for every last penny. It's like desperate income

So the result (and the punch line) to this rant… after being told I couldn’t fax my cancellation letter, she offered to switch me to a monthly billing cycle. So I asked… “How do I do that?” She said, “I’ll just fax you the form to fill”… She got a nice big… “OHHHHH, You can fax me but I can’t fax you… do you see why I liken Helios to extortion.

Moral of the story… I’m switching to a monthly extortion fee while looking for another viable and more flexible software partner.

Wake up Helios! We (The Salon Owners) are the reason your in business… I can run my equipment in manual mode (and had to, when my computer and Helios went down).

Off to fax Helios my change in billing form

cametotalktan

WOW

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When I grown up I want to be Angerfant.....

JIMJEN

I just got drafted for the 3rd month for the wonderful CENTRIX (times 2 for both locations) when I have already returned that hunk of **** and it was never even out of the box or hooked up in location 2. Location 1 never worked. Same thing 30 day notice - by certified letter, blah blah blah. I missed my 30 days by a day or two. So I have now paid 59.99 x 2 for 3 months for something I have NEVER BEEN ABLE TO USE!!!!!!

F&^% Centrix and Helios...

The reason months 1 & 2 were charged (even though it was not working) was due to the fact that I had "called" tech support to ask why the hunk of **** wasn't working.

Anyhow - glad to see another post because they maintain I am the only person dissatisfied with their products/service.

Nigelappler

Helios means SUN in GREEk

Neon Beach

I sure do love my Version 9.4.

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top250tansyou

Nice pretty boy.

I had a reply but this is not about helios but the contract. Do you EFT and if so what do poel have to do to get out of that contarct?

JIMJEN

I require a spleen.

tanthis&tanthat

Beachbum... whatever you decide to do may i suggest cancelling your checking account BEFORE touching that paper made from a rain forest tree???

Just kidding!

It sucks what they are doing to you! I know Neon loves helios (and that does carry weight with me) but I have heard a lot of bad stuff about them! I hope you get out of it in one piece!

Beachbum110

I do like their software... although its the only one I know, so its hard to comare.

It's just a pretty crappy practice that I can't fax a cancellation notice. It is the exact same thing as putting it in the mail. They just want to make it difficult to cancel... much like Bally's did.

I don't mind the $49.99 fee... its a little high for the amount of updates you get (running 11.4 now)... and there has been no major improvements.

$29.00 per month is more reasonable for something that has such little maintenence and improvements.

I'm not touching that new software... hearing bad things. Besides, what are the improvments? Anyone know?

top250tansyou

I pay the fee only because before i started i lost 2 months to a year of info every year. I feel like i am paying insurace.

I would check with your bank on closing that account. Just because the account is closed does not mean that the charge will not come through and then you will be hit with the bounced check charge. Been there done that.