My turn to vent

[geekgirldany]

Going to use this thread for my vent of the day.

Clients have been coming to me for 3 years. Single and then got married. I charged them $230 for 1040, Sch A, two Form 2106, OIH, Schedule M, State. Added on a $20 late fee because they came in on the April 10th last year and wanted it done before 15th.

Clients come by today and hubby ask me what the price will be. I told him I figure the same last year. He then says "well I keep thinking you will give us a discount since we bring our information so organized". Wife writes down all the info income, OIH expenses, contributions, etc and also includes documents to back them up. Fast talker.. walked out before I could come back with "take it somewhere else if you can find it cheaper".

What do people expect to pay? I mean they will pay the big box tax preparers and not say a word. Or they will come to me because big box charged so much...I charge less and some still complain. Just because I am in a small office and own the business does not mean I should charge less. I feel like some of them look at it that way.

These are people making over $100,000 a year not lower income folks.
Just aggravates me.

His wife also asked how she could get her W-4 correct because they owed last year. She did not understand why they owed. I told her I did not remember. I looked at their return Fed owed $200, State refund $1,400..... grr.

[DaveO]

I feel your pain.
I had a client for a few years. Single mother $25k on a W-2, huge EITC refund every year. Every year same questions;
"When is my bill going to go down?"
"What else am I entitled to?"
"Isn't there anythng else I can get?"
Of course already on food stamps, rent assitance and medicaid for the kids. Last year brings in a 1098T with $4000 of tutition and $14,000 of scholarship money. She asks, "What do I get for this?" I tell her "A good education I hope." She asks what the bill will be and I quote a price $10 more than the previous year. She takes her forms and walks out.
Never so happy to see a client leave.

[JohnH]

I think your best answer would have been something to the effect that they are getting a better price because they're so well organized. If they weren't well organized their price would be HIGHER. So the so-called discount for actually doing what they OUGHT to be doing is already built in.

[geekgirldany]

That is a much better response John. I have started reflecting discounts instead of just a flat price like in the past. I don't know the client might have been joking. Don't know when it is a joke or a jab.

I have to say though I have alot of good clients and I am proud of that.