Cheap Quicken 2003 Basic (Software) (Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000) Price

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Customer Reviews of Quicken 2003 Basic

One upgrade that I regret.
I've used Quicken since it's first windows based version (and even a dos version before that). I upgraded from Quicken Basic 1999 to the 2003 version because of the hefty rebate when purchasing Turbotax. The basic register works well, and I got to like the scroll down account list to the left, but reconciling is more of a hassel, and for me the straw that breaks the camel's back is the reports. In my contracting business I use a variety of reports to track job expenses to various clients using categories and classes to sort them out as needed. The reports frequently lock up, so you have to reboot when you use the "customize reports" feature. They display on a small screen so they are difficult to read, they do not print out as cleanly, and the program memorizes and saves your reports in a totally crazy manner. If you quickzoom on an item you have to restart the original report when you go back. After 6 months of aggrivation I put my old version of Quicken 99 (itself not without some flaws)back on, but I cannot get it to recognize my data. I'll call for technical support sometime, but it seems that they work the same hours as I do (except I'm out in the field, not in front of the computer). Also, since my work computer does not have an internet connection, the frequent prompting for internet services and the constant display of the useless internet buttons is annoying.

At this point,however, I wish that I had not smashed the Quicken 2003 CD up and thrown it into the ... can.

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I read the other reviews and almost didn't buy it
I recently had a worm on my computer and was forced to reformat my hard drive. After reformatting I realized that I could not find my old copy of Quicken 99 to reinstall. I'd used that program for the past few years for basic checkbook functions as well as credit card transactions. I use Quickbooks for all my higher end business accounting. Before automatically going to buy the program I checked some of the reviews here and I was really scared to try this product. But since I already had my old quicken 99 data backed up I thought I'd have to take a chance and try it. I have to say that I'm really glad that I did. One of the other reviews I read talked about not being able to enter hand written checks or not being able to enter a missed transaction in the middle of reconciling. Both of these are just not true. I've done both of these things the same way I did them in Quicken 99. If you need to enter a transaction in the middle of the reconcile process you just minimize the reconcile window and enter the transaction in the account, then restore the reconcile window. If you need to make a change to a transaction that's in the reconcile window, just double click on it. To me it's quite "Intuitive". As far as the review claiming you cannot enter handwritten checks, this is done the exact same as it was before. Just open the account register enter a date, enter a number, payee... etc.

Don't get me wrong, I've had my beefs with Intuit products through my business. They do use their products to market other services. Even though this is a pain for the consumer, it is smart business practice. Their customer support "is bad." I've used it for the Quickbooks product I have and it's not pleasant. But this is BASIC personal finance software for "a good price" Even on the outside of the box, there's a list of all the functions the Quicken 2003 software family can do and only "Track your checkbook & spending" is highlighted for the basic version. So they are being honest from the beginning. If you want software that tracks investments or does business functions this is not the software for you. If you want to keep track of your checkbook, bills and credit cards it seems to do it quite well.

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Problems With Quicken 2003 Are Now Overcome
In the spring of 2003, I upgraded from Quicken 2000 to Quicken 2003. I have used various versions of Quicken since the DOS days. Immediately after this upgrade I had many problems running the reports. My entire computer would freeze and I would need to shutdown and restart Quicken. I most cases I was unable to get the information I need from Quicken. Recently, I purchased a new laptop with Microsoft Money was installed on it. I moved the Quicken 2003 data file onto the laptop and used Microsoft Money to gather some of the detailed information I needed to prepare my tax return and the financial aid application for my kids. I was about ready to trash Quicken and use Microsoft Money until this week when I upgraded the operating system of the computer that the Quicken 2003 was installed on. After upgrading from Windows 98 second edition to Windows XP Home edition, all of the reports work and work well, apparently the functionality of Quicken 2003 on Windows 98 is not as compatible as desired or expected based upon the wording on the Quicken 2003 product packaging. Since all is now working well I am going to stay with Quicken for now.