Suggest for The TaxBook for next year

[RJM]

3-hole punch the current TTB

If TTB came in its existing binder, but with all the pages already pre-punched with the 3 holes, the purchaser could just decide to unbind TTB and put it in a 3-hole binder, and 3-hole punch the updates, downloaded. I like the e-mail reminders that updates are available, then downloading the updates. I usually just write in the changes in my existing TTB, but for larger notes will cut and tape.

Another method- the purchaser takes TTB, puts it in a vise, drills holes in the approriate spots, and voila ! ready to insert in a 3-ring.

[Lion]

3-Ring Binder

I too like the idea of a 3-ring binder. It can be from TTB with their name and year and all the usual cover stuff. Or, I could buy my own; although, I'm pretty busy this time of year. Besides, I like the color coding and the year identification that's always been on my various books. Then, I'd just print the updates as usual, but be able to punch them and put them in the correct places in TTB. (Now, I just have them clipped inside the front cover since I don't have the time to cut them down to tape them to the currect pages.) The current format slides if I try to stand it up on my bookshelf, or I smash the tabs if I store it in my file drawer. Binders aren't my favorite format, but I think it might be best for this book.

[SunTaxMan]

Keeping people happy.

You can please some of the people some of the time...

You can please some of the people all of the time...

etc., etc., etc.

It appears obvious that no matter what is published, some will...., some won't....

A "generic" binder from Staples? If I were The Tax Book management, this is not something I would prefer. I would want my product to look as professional as it can - a "blank" binder is not that look!

As it came out of the box this year - looks great. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Don't you wish CCH would learn this?

My suggestion, keep up the good work. I print the updates and tuck the page into the book. If it gets confusing, I can note on the various pages that there has been an update.

[veritas]

Quandary

I like the CD too, but now that I've printed off the updates & taped them to it, I can't get it to fit in my computer drive.

Maybe if you zipped the pages first?

[Snaggletooth]

Status Quo

Consider the upside and downside of the three-ring.

The current publication of the books is extremely high-calibre for a ringed version. I noticed that TTB in its second year altered the rings such that the contents are much easier to keep from falling out when the book is bent or flexed. The flat-flanged loops also allow more room for the written material, as they can be placed at the very outside of the margin. Three-ringed punches invade the left margin, meaning our choice here is to have the holes drilled through words, or else moving the verbiage further inward. If we prefer the latter then this means a choice between less writing, a bigger book, or smaller print. These are some of the factors to be dealt with if a three-ringed version with binder is provided. I'm not saying it is a bad idea, and certainly if the constituency prefers this, TMI should be listening with both ears.

A little reality rears its head. Erchess, would you really pay $300 for this? I doubt there are many that would. If so, Brad and his associates could plan to retire after one year, buy farmland in Pennsylvania, and prepay their kids Harvard tuition right now on the spot. Ridiculous.

The three-ring binder from [Office Max, Staples, Office Depot - choose one] would not suffice. We are talking about a very, very tough product, often subjected to continuous usage for four months. And yes, TMI would spend a little extra money to put attractive stuff on the binder and not leave it drab white or black.

Then TMI would have to pay for extra inventory costs. This ALWAYS happens when multiple products are sold. They would have to order enough binding material AND 3-ring versions to accommodate both requests. It is unavoidable that they would have to order more than they use. Remember also that the attractive stuff on the binder would change year-to-year, so that precludes them from using excess binders in the succeeding year. The extra costs of designing, ordering, and storing additional inventory often stops large companies from adding new products -- so when new products are added they want to make sure they are successful or the whole idea can go bust.

I'm thinking a break-even proposal for a three-ring product would be in excess of $100, plus delivery cost. And they would have to sell it to someone else, because I'm quite happy with the way it is.

[erchess]

Not so fast snags

First of all, I offered to pay $300 in total for all three books (1040, Small Business, and All States) not for just one. Your post made me think that you thought I was offering $300 for one book.

Second, I think they could I believe save money on a per page basis. Which is more expensive, the plastic covered paper they use now and have to use given their format, or copier paper with the added expense of three metal reinforcing pieces? I would literally prefer the paper but of course if they're wedded to the plastic stuff then the good news is that the metal reinforcements would not be necessary and I bet they could maintain print size and increase the left margins by an inch without more than a twenty percent increase in the number of pages.

This may all be moot, as I have yet to use anything except my Web CD this year. I could probably have a mutually satisfactory long term relationship with the company just buying CD, All States, and Continuing Education each year and getting this website as a bonus.

I would seriously tho like to know if I can get my money back on the bound books. The current update system makes them of absolutely no interest to me and since I appreciate the company I would be willing to return the books in their pristine new condition at my expense simply in exchange for a refund of what I paid for them.. Part of the reason for my generosity is that because of an MLM Company I am still enrolled with I can UPS packages for less than half of normal rates. Oh despite what I said about the books I have I still want the All States Book if I can't get a CD instead.

[BOB W]

We are all very lucky to have TTB in the first place, and second, to have TTB management even respond to a major overhaul (rethinking of its product). This mental side-tracking request would not be tolerated by anyone else in the business of tax research.

As I recall, the problems of updates was solved with the Web CD, which by itself solved the update problem of yester-year. I don't recall the "other book" ever issueing update pages.

If management was to offer a a ring binder type book, and not everyone agrees to a ring binder, this is the way it should happen:

1st > an add-on cost of $50 per book
2nd > The first release would ship without the pages inserted in the ring binder, just wrapped separetly for the user to insert.
3nd > TTB could use a soft sided ringbinder preprinted like the bound binder is now. This would allow the year to be printed on the spine of the book.
4th > On February 1 all updated pages since initial release would arrive for insertion.
5th > TTB would mail weekly updated pages for insertion after Feb 1.
6th > Published update pages could be inserted as released on the internet waiting for the mailed copy to arrive.

If TTB wanted to switch to only ringbinders, the cost could be reduced to close to its current competive selling price, but would have to charge extra for the mailout update pages.

Many of us old timers remember CCH, Binder and many of the other research services and how annoying that update page services were. This product is not as voluminous but the process would be the same.

[Bees Knees]

I would seriously tho like to know if I can get my money back on the bound books. The current update system makes them of absolutely no interest to me and since I appreciate the company I would be willing to return the books in their pristine new condition at my expense simply in exchange for a refund of what I paid for them.

The website says: “Return Guarantee: Use TheTaxBook the entire tax season. If it did not meet your expectations, return it by April 15 for a full refund.”

Other than offering a 3 ring binder where pages can be replaced, I would like to ask you what you think TTB could have done to improve the update system?

[LowerAlabamaOldEA]

Comparison to Competitor Q

TMI is head and shoulders above "Q" which I used for many years.

Had to join just to say this. I like TTB as is. If anyone wants a loose leaf binder, why not just go out and buy one (and use one you already have), punch and insert the pages yourself free?

[Bees Knees]

Before anyone gets too excited, IF a 3 ring binder option were offered, the comb bound product currently in use would still be offered, as that is by far the most popular product. One of the major reasons why the “other” book became as popular as it did is because it was the only one of its kind that could actually stand up to daily use during tax season (comb bound book pages last longer than 3 ring binder pages). Everyone else only offered 3 ring binders.

My personal opinion is those who think they want the 3 ring binder will soon realize that it is more of a hassle trying to look up stuff fast during tax season. The comb bound book handles much easier, is faster, less bulky, and the pages last longer. After trying to turn those pages in the 3 ring binder two or three times and seeing how fast they rip out of their holes, you will soon want to go back to your time tested comb bound product.

Then the only question is, do you want to take 25 extra minutes during January to write in your updates in the comb bound book, or save those 25 minutes during January with your 3 ring binder version, print replacement pages, pay extra bucks for the increased cost, and be frustrated all during tax season because your pages keep ripping out of their holes and you can’t turn the pages as fast as the comb bound book?

[Lion]

BInder

A few years ago, pre-TTB, I purchased the Kleinrock All States binder. It's oversized -- sticks out a bit more than other binders on my bookshelf -- so probably solves the objection to losing valuable real estate to the three holes. They used the "view" type of binder where they slip a cover and a spine under plastic, so it's attractive and well-identified. But, it didn't get heavy use except for a few states/chapters, so don't know about three rings vs. combs. Remember the large DayTimer agenda with lots of rings? My boss's first set included the special hole punch; then you bought just the refill pages next year and housed the prior year in a slipcover box. Maybe, more holes meant less tearing of the pages. The same boss used three-hole punched paper with a laminated edge of some sort strengthening the holes when he created binders for his salesmen and customers. The current TTB doesn't stand on a bookcase as well as a binder.

[RLymanC]

3 Rings

I put the printed updates in a 3 ring binder and mark TTB on the appropriate page "see binder for updates."

[JohnH]

Solution for Everybody

How about continuing to provide the book in the comb-bound form, but with the pages also already pre-punched for a 3-ring binder? That way, anyone who wants to put it in a binder just pulls the comb off (very easy to do), and places it in their own binder. This might also be helpful for anyone who wants it in its present form for use during tax season, but would like to transfer it to a hard-back binder for shelf storage when tax season is over.

[erchess]

Great Question Bees

Other than offering a 3 ring binder where pages can be replaced, I would like to ask you what you think TTB could have done to improve the update system?

It would help substantially if the books were large enough so that a standard sheet of paper did not have to be trimmed to fit. However I still don't like the idea of taping into the comb binder format. (I have to admit that I have not so far bothered to print an update page. I have been put off by posts mentioning that people trim the pages to fit. I don't have anything but scissors to cut the paper with and I could not cut straight if my life depended on it. However, I apologize if a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper does not have to be trimmed to fit inside the book without sticking out.) Meanwhile I am liking the Web CD so much that if I had to make a decision today I would not buy a physical book even in the three ring format if I could get it on the Web CD.

[Gene V]

Since everyone is making suggestion, I might as well say by two-cents-worth’s.
Just leave it the way it is. Except, one of the books that I buy, is for a preparer who doesn’t have a computer, so, maybe you could wait until the end of January or first part
of February and send all the revision in a supplement book like J.K. Lasser does.

I do like RLymanC does, mark the pages, but I mark them see Web CD for update, instead of putting them in a binder.