A NEW GIMMICK

Have you seen H&R Block’s latest television commercial?  It once again “stars” the bow-tied buffoon from past years’ ads (is he supposed to be Henry or Richard?).  And, as usual, it makes no mention of H&R’s actual ability to competently prepare tax returns. 

H&R cannot get its clients the way competent and qualified independent prepares do, via word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied existing clients (neither my mentor nor I ever had to take out an ad of any kind to get clients).  It must rely on gimmicky ads.

This year’s nonsense has a new gimmick – Henry and Richard are giving away $1,000 to 1,000 customers each and every day!

$1,000 x 1,000 = $1 Million!  If you actually believe the company is going to give away $1 Million each day of the 3-month tax season, where do you think the money is going to come from?  Obviously it must come out of the fees charged to its “victims”. 

So not only does the fee for having your tax return prepared by H&R include the cost of the constant ridiculous ads, it now also must also cover $90 Million in prize money.  No wonder, as I have been telling you for years, Henry and Richard ain’t cheap.

Just because you are getting “fast food” service at the H&R offices does not mean you will be charged “fast food” prices.

You will certainly get better, more personalized service, and very likely pay less, if you have an independent tax professional prepare your returns.