Hi nikos ,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concern about not finding the Sage 50 CA Payroll edition at your usual retail stores like Staples and Best Buy. I understand how surprising it must be to see such a change after 10 years.

I've checked with our sales team and reviewed retail availability. It seems like you're right; the product isn't currently listed in those stores. I've also noted your account details and asked our team to follow up with you to better understand the situation.

If you'd like immediate assistance, feel free to call our sales team at  1-888-261-9610 during our regular business hours from Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm ET.

Thank you for being a long-term customer. We value your business and are here to help.

Warm Regards, 
Erzsi

Can you tell me and confirm to me if ANY stores will be carrying the payroll edition or are we forced to by it from Sage?

I've been a loyal user of Sage for over a decade, but my recent experience with them has left me frustrated and considering other options. It seems like Sage is pushing their website version with unnecessary add-ons like Microsoft 365, even if you already have these services.

In the past three years, the quality of their customer service has deteriorated. Instead of providing assistance, it feels like their main goal is to upsell and convince you that there's no alternative. I've encountered situations where I purchased the retail version, and they refused to add payroll as a separate feature.

The trouble began when they introduced Sage 50 Cloud. I was using the desktop version, and without my knowledge, I was switched to the cloud version. This change was disruptive and didn't align with my preferences.

At this point, I'm actively exploring different software options because it's clear that Sage has shifted its focus away from the customer's needs and towards increasing their bottom line. It's disappointing to see a once customer-centric company becoming greedier at the expense of its loyal users.

I guess I have to get on the phone with them and find out what there making me do for 2024.  Could I buy the retail copy and than buy a payroll subscription off them or is that even possible anymore.  I dread this time of year not knowing what new surprises awaits me with sage.  It shoudn't be this way especially after being a long time loyal customer like we are.  Good luck to you!

Thank you both for voicing your concerns. We acknowledge the challenges you're facing, especially with the Sage 50 CA Payroll edition. As of now, it's no longer available in retail outlets such as Staples and Best Buy. I recognize how impactful this shift is, particularly for our dedicated users.

Regarding your query about adding Payroll to a retail purchased subscription of the Premium edition of Sage 50 Canada, our sales and service teams are currently reviewing this, and we will keep you informed as soon as we have a definite answer.

While we have suggested Sage Business Cloud Accounting + Payroll (SBCA + SBCP) as an alternative, it's crucial to note that it's more on par with the Pro edition of Sage 50. Therefore, for users like yourselves on the Premium edition, transitioning might not offer the same depth of features you're accustomed to.

Your feedback is invaluable, and we're actively working to address these issues. We're dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction, especially during these periods of change.

Warm Regards,
Erzsi

Some of our clients have chosen to use a different program just for payroll (we recommend Paydirt from Qlab because it's a highly customizable payroll program with really good support).  Paydirt handles all the payroll stuff and generates general journal entries for import into Sage.  There is an annual cost for Paydirt, but it means that you don't have to buy the Sage payroll module.   And (sorry, Sage sales team), it means you aren't forced to upgrade your Sage just because you need the latest payroll tables.

I'v given that option some thought but I would still need the Sage software for my bookkeeping and other tasks I use it for and now there charging close to $1000 just for that without the payroll.  And you mentioned " aren't forced to upgrade " ?  Now SAGE has gone even greedier by yes forcing you to buy the 2024 version because they say your buying the use of it for 1 year so you never really own it .. just rent it. If you dont buy it than you wont be able to use it. Please jump in sales team and correct me if i'm wrong.

Nikos: You are correct, Sage 50 is now, and for the passed number of years, a subscription service. This is similar to most software these days, and especially accounting software that have full capabilities as required by most businesses. This is the best way to keep your software current with the technology available and compatible with other software like the Windows OS.

Hi Nikos,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns. I understand your frustrations with the subscription model, and I'd like to provide some clarity.

As outlined in our End User License Agreement, all Sage Business Care plans last for 12 months and automatically renew on the activation date's anniversary. If you've bundled your license with a Payroll subscription, the initial license provides a year of payroll features access. After that, you'd need to renew your Payroll subscription to maintain these features and get future payroll tax updates.

On the topic of downgrading, it's important to know that you can't directly downgrade a data file from the Premium edition to our lowest edition, Pro (a 1 user license). The database structures are different. While it's possible to recreate the data file, it's typically best done at year-end. If you're considering this at year-end, remember that you cannot export/import transaction history.

Your primary option would be to export reports like the trial balance (for account opening balances) and lists of client, vendor, project, stock, chart of accounts, and price list info. This process requires some intermediate MS Excel skills. For a step-by-step guide, you can visit this link. If that feels daunting, consider reaching out to a Sage Accountant's Network member who might help open the database and export necessary reports and contents for you.

Lastly, if you're on a subscription license, it's crucial to use the most recent version of the program. If the subscription halts for reasons like missed payments, the program switches to a "read-only" mode. To get back to full functionality, you'd need to cover any outstanding fees and a reactivation fee.

I've also forwarded your concerns to our sales team for more insights. We're committed to ensuring you get the most value from our services.

Warm Regards,
Erzsi.