well what are u exactly talking about? streaming updates? streaming updates are not that critical to users to warrant mass notification email.
the traditional virus updates are sufficient to protect u.
if it is other problems posted all over this forums, well they r not widespread...posting email to paid users will only alarm them for nothing.
please note that it seems widespread here as forums are meant for reporting problems by large, not praise Avast! (if u want, u can though)
at the phone problem, maybe u should try calling at different time intervals say 2-3 hrs after ur 1st call and so? the lines maybe really busy given the new major release.
if u tried that and did not get a response for 2 days, yup then i will say Avast! should notify the third party phone support that it is not doing its job well...