I know this is long but please read!!
Today, received a call to inquire about our fee for doing a return. Person says he is "married, worked, kids, nothing else does not itemize. My return is very simple."
I gave quote. He said sounds great and he would stop by to drop off his stuff. He arrives about an hour after phone conversation. Receptionists askes me to come out because he has 1009-B, 1099-Div, 1099 int, mortgage int, and lots of other stuff.
Client admits he lied over the phone. He said "to get an accurate quote from lots of different accountants, I told everyone my return was simple. You were the cheapest, so I figured your price would be low for all this." I said, "You know my fee is not going to be what I quoted." He said "yes" Then he goes into rant that because he is a Doctor people tend to "jack up the price."
At this point I didn't know he was a doctor. I gave him a good price knowing he would probably be a good client. He proceeded to berate me that his sister (who does taxes) in NY is very busy and would do the return but he is going to have to wait until April to get it done. She would only charge him XXX. He said his return is easy and could not understand why I would not match his sister's price. He asked for his things, which I gladly gave back. He said "I just don't understand, isn't this what everyone has on their tax returns. Mine is so simple."
I said "Everyone situation is different. Most of my clients do not have all the things you do." He just didn't understand my price. I looked him square in the eye and said "Just like you get paid for your education and experience, that is how we get paid."
He took his things and walked out. I saw one of his w-2, it was for $850k He made $50k on stock trades. I had not see those figures until after I gave him my second quote.
He was such a jerk! Makes $850k and worries about the cheapest price. I can tell you he won't find anyone in my town that will do his return for lower than my quote. Noone reputable anyway.
By the way, if he were my brother, I would do his return for free. But maybe he treats his sister that way, so she charges for the stress.
Today, received a call to inquire about our fee for doing a return. Person says he is "married, worked, kids, nothing else does not itemize. My return is very simple."
I gave quote. He said sounds great and he would stop by to drop off his stuff. He arrives about an hour after phone conversation. Receptionists askes me to come out because he has 1009-B, 1099-Div, 1099 int, mortgage int, and lots of other stuff.
Client admits he lied over the phone. He said "to get an accurate quote from lots of different accountants, I told everyone my return was simple. You were the cheapest, so I figured your price would be low for all this." I said, "You know my fee is not going to be what I quoted." He said "yes" Then he goes into rant that because he is a Doctor people tend to "jack up the price."
At this point I didn't know he was a doctor. I gave him a good price knowing he would probably be a good client. He proceeded to berate me that his sister (who does taxes) in NY is very busy and would do the return but he is going to have to wait until April to get it done. She would only charge him XXX. He said his return is easy and could not understand why I would not match his sister's price. He asked for his things, which I gladly gave back. He said "I just don't understand, isn't this what everyone has on their tax returns. Mine is so simple."
I said "Everyone situation is different. Most of my clients do not have all the things you do." He just didn't understand my price. I looked him square in the eye and said "Just like you get paid for your education and experience, that is how we get paid."
He took his things and walked out. I saw one of his w-2, it was for $850k He made $50k on stock trades. I had not see those figures until after I gave him my second quote.
He was such a jerk! Makes $850k and worries about the cheapest price. I can tell you he won't find anyone in my town that will do his return for lower than my quote. Noone reputable anyway.
By the way, if he were my brother, I would do his return for free. But maybe he treats his sister that way, so she charges for the stress.
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