Why switch from QF?

[Unregistered]

I've been using Quickfinder for many years, and just received a mailer from Tax Materials. The pricing isn't much different. I'm wondering. How many people have switched to the Taxbooks, and why? Is the material more comprehensive, or different? I just found this forum this afternoon. I really liked QF forum as well. I guess now I'll have to check both. The forums are great for a single person office to ask questions of another practitioner.

[Gretel]

Welcome

...to this board. This board is much more professional then QF in my opinion. The publishers feel personally responsible for us getting things straight and offer any help thinkable for no additional charge.

The book, of course, is not published yet but the sample book I have seen I liked better and we all could make suggestions for improvements.

There is much more to say and I am sure you well get a long thread on this one.

[Brad Imsdahl]

In answer to your question “why switch to TheTaxBook,” I might ask you why you liked and used Quickfinder for so many years? I too liked and used Quickfinder for many years. In fact, I was its lead editor for the last 17 years until I resigned last February. So I am not about to suggest anything is wrong with the Quickfinder. I am extremely proud of its reputation.

In asking you to give our new book a try, I am asking you to consider the reasons why you liked Quickfinder. I personally feel our group of authors was successful in making Quickfinder popular because we wrote the book with our own tax practices in mind. The information I personally needed for my own tax practice was the information I tried to cover in the Quickfinder. The information I felt was of no value to my personal tax practice had little coverage in the Quickfinder. That was our philosophy with Quickfinder, and that continues to be our philosophy with our new publication. That is why we require all of our writers to continue as practicing tax professionals. The minute someone gives up their tax practice, they are no longer useful to us.

The second aspect of why I am asking you to try our new book is the concept behind our Deluxe Edition. We came up with the concept that you, the tax professional, only have enough room on your desk for ONE book. Not ten. When you want a fast answer, you don’t want to have to go to a bookshelf full of books for that answer. You have one special spot for that one and only favorite reference book. Most of your questions were answered from that one book in the past. That’s why it was your favorite book. Yes, there were times when you had to go and dig a little deeper for more complicated questions. Then you needed to turn to more detailed reference material. There is a place for more in dept books on tax subjects. But most of your basic questions could be answered from ONE book. You don’t need to buy ten books with a lot of duplicated information.

That is the philosophy behind our Deluxe Edition. Whether it is a 1040, a 1065, 1120, 1120S, estate, payroll, accounting, or basic planning issue, all of the common federal tax issues are covered in one book. No other publisher that I am aware of has a similar product.

For more information on why you will prefer TheTaxBook, check out our home page.

http://www.thetaxbook.com/index.asp

[Snaggletooth]

Don't Switch

If you liked QF for so many years, then don't switch. Stick with the people who have brought you the fingertip information so accurately and succintly for lo these many years.

The problem is those people are not with the QF. The QF was bought out by a huge corporate interest late in 2003, and the fallout from forcing the corporate environment resulted in the resignation of the editors after producing last years' 2004 edition.

I'm sure most of us are not aware of the specific reasons for the parting of the ways. However, most of us know what happens in a corporate takeover, and those of us involved know that the lifeblood of success is swept away or skimmed off the top. We are aware of one feature - the editors were not allowed to have their own practice, and I'm sure this was one of the factors that was irreconcilable. The very success of the book hinged upon its relevance to the tax preparer, and the corporate mentality for a variety of reasons didn't want its people to be free enough to have their own practice.

I somehow feel there were other large issues, but am unaware of the specifics. I'll be willing to bet that most of them were a clash between the new corporate doublespeak mentality and the enterprenuel spirit that gave rise to the original QF success.

I would answer emphatically to this question: DON'T SWITCH!!! Stick with the people who designed the ever-so-convenient QuickFinder. Those people are now HERE.

Regards, Ron Jordan

[JON]

Brad said it nice....

Why change QF was good and "THETAXBOOK" is better.....

[DTS]

Take a look...

Why don't you take a look at both products and make up your own mind. Call and request a sample of the new TaxBook then you'll have some comparison between the two. Ron put it best in his post about the authors and I agree.

As far as the two boards go, I believe most of us read and post on both boards. They both have wonderful topics of discussion and we benefit from the experience of some very knowledgable people. To me, this is priceless!

Dennis

[taxfun]

I don't think there is a marked difference in expertise on the two boards, but this one surely has the bigger egos!

We have ordered both books this year, a luxury that we will not continue. We will see which is the better and go from there.

[John of PA]

Limited Resources

My question here is how can THE TAX BOOK, a much smaller company with limited resources compared to QF; keep up with upgrading the books, and coming out with new variety of books, which is a very expensive R&D type of costs. QF has more money behind their product. The last thing I want is to switch, get used to THE TAX BOOK; then find a few years later they didn't make it and then I have to switch back again. Inconsistency is costly. I'am staying with QF until the smoke clears. Any plans by either company to make the product integrate with our tax software? Now that would be great, but would take big R&D money.

[TMI Moderator]

My question here is how can THE TAX BOOK, a much smaller company with limited resources compared to QF; keep up with upgrading the books, and coming out with new variety of books, which is a very expensive R&D type of costs. QF has more money behind their product. The last thing I want is to switch, get used to THE TAX BOOK; then find a few years later they didn't make it and then I have to switch back again. Inconsistency is costly. I'am staying with QF until the smoke clears. Any plans by either company to make the product integrate with our tax software? Now that would be great, but would take big R&D money.

Those are great questions. I'll respond the best I can.

As far as upgrading the books, as you'll find in the original news release, the entire editorial staff that was in place at the time that Quickfinder was acquired [December of 2003] is now writing for TheTaxBook. The sources for updated information - IRS pronouncements, court cases, new laws, etc. - are available to large companies and small companies alike. The ability to update the publications is not affected by whether a company is large or small.

With regard to coming out with a new variety of books, that is something that sets TheTaxBook philosophy apart from the competitors. The Deluxe Edition of TheTaxBook is a good example. The Deluxe Edition contains planning and compliance information for individuals and small businesses all in one book, instead of requiring the purchase of several books. Our philosophy is that if you need to look through a stack of publications, it's not a fast reference tax guide anymore.

Apologies for going into marketing mode on the message board, but I did want to take the opportunity to offer an explanation about our philosphy. Hopefully it will help folks make the choice that's best for them.

[Brad Imsdahl]

My question here is how can THE TAX BOOK, a much smaller company with limited resources compared to QF; keep up with upgrading the books, and coming out with new variety of books, which is a very expensive R&D type of costs. QF has more money behind their product.

We intend to upgrade the books each year the same way we have been doing it for 17 years. And if and when we decide to release a new product, it will not be an attempt to re-package any of our old stuff just to increase sales.

As to the money behind a company, I’m not sure small independent tax practitioners like hearing that you should only trust huge corporations for products and services.

[Snaggletooth]

How did we ever...

My question here is how can THE TAX BOOK, a much smaller company with limited resources compared to QF; keep up with upgrading the books, and coming out with new variety of books, which is a very expensive R&D type of costs. QF has more money behind their product. The last thing I want is to switch, get used to THE TAX BOOK; then find a few years later they didn't make it and then I have to switch back again. Inconsistency is costly. I'am staying with QF until the smoke clears. Any plans by either company to make the product integrate with our tax software? Now that would be great, but would take big R&D money.

John, this is going to be one of those "How did we ever get by before cellphones" "How did we ever get by before E-mail, etc...."responses.

As applies to your question, "How can the TAX BOOK keep abreast of upgrades, changes, improvements, etc.?" I must ask, "How did they ever do it before all these resources?" The answer is that they have been doing quite nicely for the QuickFinder for 17 years, and they didn't have this deep well of resources at the time either. Think about it, my friend.

I believe you are also correct about taking a chance with a newer and smaller company, but rest assured that if this TAX BOOK succeeds, you will have a CHOICE of dealing with 1)a company whose editors have a track record of writing to your information needs, or 2)another company whose view of you is a pincushion for revenue.

I want the TAX BOOK to succeed, and have risked a lousy $140 with them. These guys in Minnesota have risked a lot more than that, and if you stop and think about the effect on their livelihood, their families, and their own sacrifices that they can't really tell us about -- they deserve a shot.

[BOB W]

2004 Qf

Has everyone forgot all the problems QF had last year with their information accuracy. That is what happens when "big" wants to control too many areas and won't let the people who "know" run the show. I didn't order QF last year but have already ordered the Deluxe book from "The Tax Book".

[S T]

Why Change

The people behind the scenes in providing all of us users with the Quickfinder Reference Books are no longer at Quickfinders. While PPC's material is usually quite good, are their editors and information contributors preparing tax returns? Can those people relate to you as a tax professional and answer a question that you might have that is "real" tax life?

Yes Bob, remember the problems with the updates on the QF books in 2005 for the 2004 tax season! Also, the delays in receiving the books. Some books were delivered very early, then others were delivered very late.

While I have been a subscriber to QF probably since about 1992 , the delivery of the material, the billing and the customer service were at the worst in 2005. Also cost issues, and then what about all of the new products, some of which seem to overlap. Books, boy or boy do I have books, well now instead of having 2 reference books for the Tax Season, I have about 4 or 5, because if you read the "mailers" you were afraid that the material would not be covered in the 2 books that you had become so dependent on for reference. The CD's, I now have 2, one for individual and one for business (so double cost) and can use only on one computer, not transfer to my portable as I had in the past. Those darned key codes!

Did any one order more than one product and have to track the invoicing and payment on credit card, that was a nightmare. I just hope that I am not on automatic subscription for the upcoming year!

Yes, how did Snaggletooth phrase it,

company whose view of you is a pincushion for revenue.

. Well that is pretty much my thought, my costs were a lot more in 2005 subscribing to the QF products under the new ownership and that is with some discounts. And now I am concerned whether or not the 2 major reference materials, Individual and Business will be downsized due to all the new reference books that have been released, so you have to purchase more to get more!

I, like Snaggle have also invested about the $140 or so in the new Tax Book and these very fine people that will once again furnish us with the quality reference material needed. I have ordered the new Deluxe version book, without duplications, and the All States. Why, because the people behind The Tax Book, brought us the Quickfinders. What better track record could you ask for!

Sandy

[jjstephens]

Just curious

I'm intrigued and will likely place an order but I'm curious about two issues

1) Is a money-back offer available? I'm interested in trying the product but if it's a dog (which I doubt) I'd like the option of returning it.

2) I found out about the product via a mailing. Did TMI get my name via a mailing list they purchased or did they somehow get my info as a former QF user? Given that QF doesn't even bother to send me renewal offers I wonder if I'm even on their list!

[Brad Imsdahl]

1) Is a money-back offer available? I'm interested in trying the product but if it's a dog (which I doubt) I'd like the option of returning it.

Your satisfaction is guaranteed, or you get your money back – no questions asked.

2) I found out about the product via a mailing. Did TMI get my name via a mailing list they purchased or did they somehow get my info as a former QF user? Given that QF doesn't even bother to send me renewal offers I wonder if I'm even on their list!

Commercial mailing lists are common and can be purchased by anyone. Just Google tax mailing lists and you will come up with all kinds of companies that will sell you names and addresses of people who buy tax related products. I personally get two or three pieces of mail everyday from companies trying to sell me tax products.