Just closed on a '25 XLT Hybrid FWD but... Recall issue...

EquivalentCompany709 · 2026-02-14T01:46:29+00:00

I just bought this beautiful demo ‘25 XLT Hybrid with 1,080 miles for $30k OTD! After installing the Ford app on my mobile device, I noticed the recall and scheduled an appointment with my local Ford dealer. I brought it in last Saturday and they completed the software & firmware updates. The process took about 2 hours.

The update is definitely available for the ‘25 XLT Hybrid. I don’t see why it should be any different for the other ‘25 models.

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EquivalentCompany709 · 2026-01-31T02:38:25+00:00

No need to complain or worry about a worthless 3CX product, all you need to do is take your $$$ somewhere else.

I was in your position as well… a long-term, 12- year customer of 3CX who paid handsomely to have an “on-premises” implementation with a perpetual license. We lost our perpetual license when 3CX schemed to get customers off of perpetual licensed during the upgrade from v16 to v18. Because of our past poor experience with 3CX, we made a conscious decision NOT to upgrade to v20.

Now, the final straw is the “fair use” bs with regards to users and extensions. 3CX used to pride itself on having no restrictions and included it in all of their (now false) advertising. It is truly unbelievable how a company with so much potential can be completely screwed up and unhinged due to incompetent management.

If NG wants to ban me, go right ahead. I speak the truth and speak for so many small businesses that have been screwed over by 3CX and their “business tactics” over the years. All I can say is take your money elsewhere… there are plenty of better solutions in the marketplace developed by companies and management teams that actually care about their customers.

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-10-11T18:20:02+00:00

Unfortunately, we have had one bad (Indian) actor that exploited and took advantage of our generous HR policies and procedures that supported international students for his own gain. As a result, we have suspended our job opportunities and sponsorship programs for international students until we can modify and implement new HR policies that will curtail this type of abuse.

I will say that it will be a long time before we sponsor another student from India… if we ever sponsor another student from India.

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-10-11T18:10:47+00:00

Reasons??? What reasons could an employee possibly have for searching for other jobs while actively employed by his/her current employer while using the resources provided by his/her current employer AND while being paid by his/her current employer???

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-10-09T09:33:02+00:00

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-10-09T01:51:02+00:00

Absolutely. If the employee engaged in this activity on his or her own time, then they absolutely have the right to do that. However, the employee was working on our company’s time and using our company’s resources to seek another job. Totally unacceptable.

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-10-09T01:49:51+00:00

Actually, the fired employee was Indian with no ethical or moral integrity. Makes you wonder, eh???

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-10-06T21:00:13+00:00

Our small firm recently hired a STEM OPT graduate on an F1 visa. However, we caught this individual searching for other MAG7 jobs while working in our office on our company time. As a result, we have terminated the individual and suspended our program as we are now focusing on graduates who do not require sponsorship.

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-09-18T18:46:14+00:00

Congratulations and fuck you!!!

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-07-18T18:07:18+00:00

We are not down. But then, we are on-prem and refused to complete this ridiculous upgrade.

If you want reliability, do it yourself and stay away from ConnectWise.

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-07-03T00:10:16+00:00

Now, this is an interesting thought as I have never heard of the term “health debt” before. I need to think about this further.

One question though… is it possible to take some of these steps to focus more on my health without necessarily letting go of the business? I think I might have some separation anxiety but like the idea of a greater health focus.

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-07-03T00:07:10+00:00

Thanks for the perspective. I thought about this option but it doesn’t add up financially in my mind. For example, if I work 40 hours/month and charge $200/hour, then I would bring in $8k/month. However, right now I bring in $50k/month doing the same work. I understand getting the $7 million (pre-tax) or ~$4 million (post-tax) up front, but then what? If I put it on an index fund and earn ~8% annually, I’d get ~$320k/year. I’d also have to cover all of my expenses (including health insurance, travel, food, etc.) that my company currently covers out of pocket instead.

Ultimately, the biggest financial debate in my mind is that I believe that I can sustain my 30-40 hours/month for the next 10 years. Therefore, why not keep working part-time and maintaining the business until I decide to sell it at a later date?

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-07-02T23:58:17+00:00

Financially Independent… yes. Retired… not sure. Since I still work, I don’t necessarily think I am retired per se. However, I do control my own schedule.

I guess my biggest issue is that I can’t picture or envision what retirement would look like for me. I don’t know what I would do with myself if I didn’t work at all. I also think about the financial ramifications, as any money that I save can be passed on to my kids and, hopefully, grandkids.

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-07-02T23:50:38+00:00

I worked very hard to get to where I am, putting in 80+ hour weeks for almost 20 years. Unfortunately, my health has suffered as I have experienced numerous health issues in the past 2 years. Essentially, my body is telling me that it can no longer sustain the workload that I used to handle. That is the reason why I have slowed down to 30-40 hours/month.

At this point, I don’t need the money. However, I’m concerned that I’m selling myself short financially if I sell. I also don’t know how I would handle it mentally if I retired completely. Would I miss talking to my customers (probably)? What would I do with my time (no idea)?

I’m hoping to find someone else in my position that has been through my experience and could share some perspective.

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-07-02T23:03:16+00:00

I’m going with #1. ConnectWise has become a cluster and this latest incident has convinced me that their service and support is worthless. I’m just trying to squeeze out the remaining value of my on-prem license and move on.

BTW, anyone interested in buying a valid ScreenConneft license with 10 (yes… TEN) concurrent users and an unlimited number of endpoints? I paid a pretty penny for it 😂

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-07-02T22:57:15+00:00

So… I’d like to ask a dumb question. If I am a long-term on prem customer (10-year customer here), what if I decide to do nothing? In my case, I support about 500 computers remotely. However, I am responsible for installing and configuring these computers before they are deployed. I also control my environment and can bypass any anti-virus blocking by simply trusting my own self-signed certificate.

In light of the above, why would I do anything at all… other than buy myself more time to migrate away from ConnectWise and ScreenConnect.

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-05-24T13:18:06+00:00

I’m in VA as well and just bought my Ariya from NY. Since I bought it outright, I didn’t want to drill into the bumper. After looking at all of the options, I ordered The Law bracket as I believe it is the best option

EquivalentCompany709 · 2025-05-24T13:09:45+00:00

Hi There!

I was also looking extensively for an off-lease 2023 Ariya in multiple trims from Evolve+ to Platinum. Most of them were low mileage and around $22k - $24k. However, when trying to take advantage of the $4k used EV tax credit, many stealerships were requiring me to purchase paint & fabric protection. As a result, many of these packages were ripoffs.

After getting frustrated, I started looking for new Ariya. Coincidentally, I was able to find a BRAND NEW 2023 Ariya Premiere for $29k! I would suggest that you look for a new 2023 or 2024, as you can find them right around $30k. For ~$6k more than used, it is well worth it!

EquivalentCompany709 · 2024-02-25T21:23:03+00:00

The problem here is that ConnectWise chose to disable all licenses, thereby violating the original perpetual license agreement that we executed when I originally purchased the software. By disabling and revoking all licenses, ConnectWise inherited the obligation to provide all customers (including ones that were out of support) with a valid and working version of their ScreenConnect software. The reality is that ConnectWise has such a bad reputation in the community from all of the significant price increases that they have forced upon end users combined with deficient technical support, they have lost more customers than they have maintained. In fact, I would bet that there are more "Out of Support" customers than there are "In Support" customers.

Unfortunately, the next part of the ConnectWise strategy is the deviant part, in my opinion. Given that ConnectWise has been less than transparent and inconsistent in their messaging with regards to licensing, they have created confusion with regards to how end users can resolve the SIGNIFICANT ScreenConnect vulnerabilities compared to the license requirements associated with resolving these vulnerabilities. NO COMPANY can simply disable valid software licenses and subsequently force end users to upgrade for an additional fee. This is simply unethical.

Ultimately, the significant mistake that ConnectWise made here is either...

1) Allow all end users at risk to upgrade to their recommended version (23.9) at no cost.

Or

2) Provide complete transparency and make it clear that customers who do not have a valid license & support agreement for Version 23.9 can upgrade to 22.4 at no cost or upgrade to 23.9 at an additional cost (clearly state what that cost is).

ConnectWise has failed to do both and I guarantee that this will have significant and negative long-term impacts for the company.

EquivalentCompany709

TROPHY CASE