The urge to kill (clients).

[Black Bart]

It's just mind-boggling what those *$%(%&*#@ customers expect you to remember:

Idiotic Client (comes to the office): I need to pick up that old tax return copy I phoned you about last month. Remember?
BB: Yeah, okay; what year?
IC: You don't know? I told you when I called.
BB: Yes, I think you did mention it, but I told you I'd make the copy when you came by and I don't remember what year it was. You don't know?
IC: No, of course not. I told you. I don't have the papers requesting it here in front of me. You don't remember?
BB: Look, I've got several hundred clients' information to remember. You've got one. and I don't have the papers in front of me either. It's your stuff -- why do you expect me to remember when you can't?
He leaves, half-kidding/smiling about it, but not really -- he's a tad ticked off and I'm much ticked off.

[RitaB]

This morning

Lady comes in, hands me her stuff. I ask her if her bank account changed. I did not know she was coming, so I do not have her file out or anything.

Client: "Was it Fred's Bank last year?" (Not the real bank name, for security purposes.)

Are you kidding me?!

[ChEAr$]

I had thought you might be a Steel Magnolia. (grin

[RitaB]

Aw, shucks

I had thought you might be a Steel Magnolia. (grin

That is so nice, Harlan. (I think.)

Actually, I'm going thru a crappy divorce. Hubby of seven long hard years wants ALIMONY. I think NOT.

[thomtax]

BB - So are you saying that you don't remember the TurboTax return that I brought by two years ago. I had a couple of questions on it that the IRS wanted to know. Since you looked it over, I thought sure you could give me a couple of quick pointers.

Also, since there is not anyone in your office right now, I figured you didn't have anything else to do and wouldn't mind helping me. I'm sure I can handle it myself so that it doesn't cost me any money, but just wanted to get your second opinion. You do get paid by the IRS don't you?

LT

[Lion]

Lower your income this year

Lower your income this year. You have clients negatively affected by this economy and not able to pay you as much as last year, right? And, your expenses continue to climb. Stock up on paper and toner, in preparation for more mailed returns and extra copies clients need for income verification purposes to apply for property tax deferrals and such programs. Pay up your E&O insurance premiums and memberships and dues. Bring on an assistant to train.

[DaveO]

Single parent client last week. I know oldest child is off to college. Badger him about tuition statement for 30 mins. He assured me over and over there was none and would be none. Prepped and filed return, he stops in this morning with the 1098-t showin a net $1200 of tuition. Doesn't really think he should have to pay for the amend either.

[RitaB]

Thank you, Lion

Lower your income this year. You have clients negatively affected by this economy and not able to pay you as much as last year, right? And, your expenses continue to climb. Stock up on paper and toner, in preparation for more mailed returns and extra copies clients need for income verification purposes to apply for property tax deferrals and such programs. Pay up your E&O insurance premiums and memberships and dues. Bring on an assistant to train.

I appreciate the tips. I think he and his cousin attorney are just testing the waters. He makes almost the same as I do, has had the same job the whole time I've known him. I had some stuff when we got married, and he didn't. But, you better believe I am getting my ducks in row. Hey, ever since that first OJ trial...

Can I just say here - NEVER ignore that little voice. Never. Trust me, trust me, trust me.

[Jiggers]

All the stuff is here............

January 22 client shows up, no appointment.

Reviewing his Schedule F information I see that he has large interest expense. I ask for what? "I don't remember". So I tell him to research and bring me the loan papers.

Also reviewing other information, he has some payment advice statements for some CD's he has. I ask where is the 1099INT. He hasn't received! I told him that I need that also.

He shows up today, again no appointment. Can't find anything on the loan but he thinks it is for "Cattle purchased".

He does have the 1099's on the interest income.

He also has a W-2 for his wife (she quit work the previous year and worked part-time in 2009). He also has two 1099R's for distribution from his wife's retirement plan from the place that she quit in 2008.

Glad I didn't prepare that return yet. I might wait until next week for something else.

P*I*T*A clients and I do charge $20 extra for any current client coming in without an appointment.

Out of the 6 clients that came in today, 2 had appointments. The other 4 didn't, and they are returning clients and I put appointments are necessary at the top of my annual year-end letter. And hi-lighted in pink! Must be blind and/or color blind!

4 X $20 = $80 extra today. I had 53 no-appointments last year @ $15 extra. Raised that to $20 this year.

[Koss]

The urge to kill (clients)

Bart, if you actually kill a client...

Do you do the final return at no charge?



BMK

[BP.]

Actually, I'm going thru a crappy divorce. Hubby of seven long hard years wants ALIMONY. I think NOT.

First RitaC, then RitaB- just upgrade to RitaA+

[RitaB]

You guys are "A"

First RitaC, then RitaB- just upgrade to RitaA+

I am just glad to be a "B" again. (I would smile back if I knew how. See? I'm a B.)

[Possi]

Weekly meeting...

....at the wine (not whine) cellar! Sounds like this chat session is right there! I love it!

[powerage]

Out of the 6 clients that came in today, 2 had appointments. The other 4 didn't, and they are returning clients and I put appointments are necessary at the top of my annual year-end letter. And hi-lighted in pink! Must be blind and/or color blind!

People never cease to amaze me. Maybe they thought the rules did not apply to them.

[veritas]

People don't read printed documents.

I'm thinking Twitter or Facebook would be far more effective.