My company is considering purchasing VAI Software's System 2000 for
our Retail and catalog operation's front and back end (
http://www.vaihome.com/ ). I am looking for testimonials from people
that have *NOT* been satisfied with this system, and the things they
are UNsatisfied with.
Obviously, the company's page has a number of testimonials, but they
are all overwhelmingly for the system.  There are also a number of
resellers that have "case study" type testimonials, but these too
don't seem like a good measure, as they are all success stories.
I am interested if anyone implemented this system and realized it was
not as advertised, or had any particular shortcomings.
In other words, I want to know what to look out for, and what to
investigate further before making a final purchase decision.
I will be happy to clarify anything that is unclear, or incomplete. 
Please let me know if you think I have not priced this question
appropriately, as well.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Greetings Ewek1:

I performed a few searches with what I anticipated would be the
buzzwords for locating someone's dissatisfaction with the product. 
The key phrases I used were:

VAI Software System 2000 dissatisfied
VAI Software System 2000 complaints
VAI Software System 2000 not happy
VAI Software System 2000 bugs
VAI Software System 2000 problems
VAI Software System 2000 review

I located no negative feedback.  I wanted you to know that a
Researcher had attempted to answer your question.  :)  It may be that
another Researcher privy to a subscription service will locate the
information you seek in a more closed area but I could not find
anything negative and wanted to let you know.

Best regards,
journalist-ga

Journalist-
Thanks much for trying.  I, too, have searched for negative comments,
but couldn't unearth any.  That's why I turned to you guys, as you
usually find things that us ordinary folk can't.
It just seems like there must be some out there somewhere, though...
I'll keep my fingers crossed someone else will check into it.
Thanks again for trying, you guys are great!

Ewek1 --

The only other suggestion that I can add to Journalist's excellent
work is to see if there are any VAI user groups and make contact with
them.  Though participants in user groups tend to be relatively happy
with software, they are usually very candid about weaknesses too, as
one of the functions of user groups is to push for development in key
areas.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

If you can't find it on the Net...

Here's a thought.  Ask the company for 5 references, then start
calling them.

Ask them, "what do you hate about the system."

They'll be happy to tell you and probably have no vested interest in
giving a flattering review of the software they purchased.

If they all say the same thing, its a red flag.

No system is perfect (at lease in my experience)...they just have
different degrees of frustration.