Flashecom

Over the past few months I have been evaluating different supplier-integrated eCommerce/quoting platforms. These included Flashecom, VARStreet, CNET Channel Online, and Quotewerks. All of these platforms are fairly expensive for a hosted eCommerce platform, around $200-$400 a month (or more depending on add-ons all of which are prohibitively expensive). But for that cost you get a branded storefront, vendor integration with electronic ordering, inventory management, etc. Makes running a web store MUCH easier… or so one would expect. After watching several sales demonstrations I finally settled on Flashecom because I thought their platform best fit my needs. Flashecom boasted more than a decade of experience, the branded storefront seemed to be more feature-rich and merchant friendly, plus it still had some quoting/sales capability. Maybe not as polished as CNET or Varstreet, but Flashecom is first and foremost an ecommerce solution, and not a cloud-based quoting system. I got the impression that Channel Online and Varstreet were first and foremost quoting systems with a storefront thrown in as an afterthought.
Signup for Flashecom was fairly painless and the site was ready for initial configuring within a few hours. During the pre-sales demonstrations I was allowed access to a demo site where I spent several hours exploring different features and trying things that I planned on doing with my own site. So once my site was ready to configure, I already had some experience with the platform. When it came to setting up my own site, I was rather dismayed that no formal help or documentation is provided. The “Help” which would be more accurate if it were labeled “About” has no real “help” functionality. All it provides are links to the version number, phone and e-mail contact information for support. The help menu itself actually suffers from a bug where it doesn’t drop down long enough for you to click on any of the links making it useless. In lieu of any formal documentation, Flashecom provides several videos which detail various setup processes. While these are helpful, they lack any real depth and when you run into a snag somewhere, chances are you won’t find the answer to your problem in the video. This brings me to my second and probably biggest complaint with Flashecom. Their tech support.
A few hours into my site configuration I started to run into problems, bugs, etc… one of which involved processing an order, another involved a product import that bombed half-way through corrupting my product catalog. Unable to find any solution to either of these problems I called up the tech support phone number I had been provided with. After a brief period of music on hold, my call dropped to voice mail. So, I left a brief message explaining my issue and followed up with an e-mail. Several hours later I hadn’t received a return phone call. So, I called again. Same thing, brief hold, and drop to voice mail. You would think that with subscription rates in the hundreds of dollars a month that Flashecom would have 24/7 tech support. Apparently not. The sad thing is that my prior provider had competent technical support available 24/7 and cost less than $50/month.
Lastly, Flashecom’s platform is buggy. VERY buggy. In addition to the help menu bug previously mentioned, there are issues with various configuration screens. Looking at the revision log, the platform gets an upgrade about once a year. With some of these bugs fixed and some actual tech support ability, they might actually be worth the money, but until then, I would avoid them.

I compared few eCommerce applications, including CNET and Vartstreet etc... To tell you the truth i was scared to sign up with this company at first. Their reviews suck but not based on many feedback. So I wasn't sure. But then I submitted a demo via their site and I got a call back within minutes from a very friendly sales consultant. To my surprise he answered even the toughest question and showed me enough ability to walk me through a demo. You can immediately tell Flashecom eConnect software is the work of many years. Well organized and well presented with nine distributors connectivity, system configurator, quote, purchase order etc... and with a beautiful custom store front wich is not offered in many other ecommerce applications. They provide a toll free number for support and they make sure to resolve your problems before you hang up the phone. You'll be the judge.

Working with the flashecom system today, developed template myself loaded tracking code, flashecom system is blocking it somehow, tried calling, nobody there, tomorrow is New Years Eve, they are closed. I can't believe that bullshit. I don't care if they sky was falling, my business depends on reliable vendors. Flashecom was chosen by my client I tried to talk him out of it and go with Volusion, but he wants this piece of crap. Anyway I sense mucho trouble to come with flashecom. Wish me luck.

I signed up with Flashecom eConnect software 3 years ago. I own an I.T. SOLUTION company and I'm currently entering my 9th years in the business. The economy has taken a big toll on our company but luckily we still in the business.
- Yes if you don't use explorer you won't be able to get the admin panel. However why would anyone not use explorer?
- Tech Support is answered by a live person in the USA. Try to call 888-282-1000 and dial option 2. Test it and be the judge.
The best thing that ever happened to us is that we don't have to pay additional for excessive support. We call in at anytime and get support from a live person.
Trust me after we used Flashecom solution now we learned that there isn't an alternative to that.

- I love FLASHECOM and I'll continue to use the software.

I have been with them for over 6 years, we pay for custom ecommerce site with extras $4,500, right after they partially finished our site (after 2nd final payment) they decided to stop supporting us, basically we're on our own, any help that we need we will have to watch their video instead of never existent "support". Basically your monthly fees of $150 is for non-existing support.

Our site is constantly down, broken services links, and extra monthly charges if you ever decided to ask for help like getting a working shipping on your shopping cart you will be ask to pay $$$$ to just give you a basic function whereas other ecommerce hosting providers give them for free!

DON'T do business with them, we're stuck because our boss doesn't like to move our catalogs to another business, and mainly we can't move our site due to their proprietary coding methods!! We spend $4500 for this custom ecommerce site and it ends up NOT belonging to us, if we never decide to leave them the site will not be giving to us instead it will be flush down the toilet.

They have non-existent tech support that it is almost impossible for them to give us any help on solving issues with our sites. Basically we're on our own if there is any issues and we have to hire outside 3rd party to help us fix problems that they should have resolved!!

They are a 3rd party hosting provider, they charge premium for you to host with them (or have you ecommerce site wiped cause you can't move the site!) Some sites that have positive rating of flashecom belongs to their own PR team that always says friendly seller and very knowledgeable team, yes they are friendly, but once you pay them the up front fees, then they couldn't care less about you.

Have been using the solution for only 6 month so far, but I am happy with the service. I signed up for the cheapest plan and paid additional money for a custom design, but the result was good, so I don't mind. I have a pretty basic jewelry store, no need for additional service, I rarely use the tech support as well. But all the small issues have been solved fast.

We searched online and found that this business has an active Facebook page with 12 followers. From our experience this can indicate that the business is either not actively engaged with online communication or is new and growing. We have found that this business does not have SSL (secure sockets layer), which means that you should think twice before trusting this business with your data, such as personal information or credit card details, because your information will not be digitally connected to a cryptographic key and secure connection cannot be established. We found that the domain for this business is older than two years which could be an indication that this is a trustworthy business with an established customer base and experience in their field.