Level 12

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Cheap client story

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
April 27, 2021
7 replies
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Years ago, I raised a clients bill by $5 to I believe approximately $85, this was for both the federal and the state... The client was not too happy and immediately mentioned the $5 fee increase... I told him that I could not believe that he was actually complaining about that... He replied " I have a lot of property tax to pay"... I told him to pay me whatever he wanted to..... he paid the full amount and said I will see you next year ..... Oh by the way, he was not poor in any way, shape, or form... Poor people have shame and they never complain about the bill because they do not want you to know that they are poor.... Just my opinion.....

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Best answer by PATAX

All of the replies herein are very informative and should be read by all... Just my opinion...

BobKamman

Level 15

The wealthy are penny-pinchers because that's how they got that way. Well, OK, at least 10% of them. the rest, it's mostly inherited.

PATAXAuthor

Level 12

👍 you hit the nail on the head Bob...

IRonMaN

Level 15

The CPA firm I first worked in was founded by an old ex-IRS agent. He had retired by the time I started but I heard plenty of "Elmer" stories over the years. He once had someone question his secretary about the preparation fee. He overheard the conversation, walked up to the client, and asked to see the return. He grabbed a good hold of the return, ripped it in half, tossed it in the garbage can and told the client not to let the door hit him in the a$$ on the way out. When I first started my practice, my response to your client would have been the same as yours PA. But after a lot of years with dealing with all sorts of personalities, my current treatment would be the "Elmer" treatment.

Slava Ukraini!

PATAXAuthor

Level 12

You hit the nail on the head Iron Man... I also learned over the years that some people equate quality with the fee... Therefore tax preparers should not undercut themselves and should charge an appropriate, but fair fee.... Just my opinion

U

USATAXLADY

Level 3

I'm always getting tips & gifts from my clients, I never understood why? They know it's my business, I tell them the fee and they give me extra! Am I not charging enough?

PATAXAuthor

Level 12

Not necessarily... Some people are just generous and they appreciate the good job that you do and will tip you.. Some people are brought up that way...

U

USATAXLADY

Level 3

I have been in this business for 45 years, I am now charging more, if I am not respected & appreciated, they can go somewhere else! My sayings are, "Either you want it quickly or correctly, your choice!" and "Procrastination on your part does not make it an emergency for me!"

dkh

Level 15

Years ago I had a business client tell me I wasn't charging enough. Gave me a kind lecture about being in business to make money.

I need the sign @BobKamman suggests because I have a hard time charging "friends" an appropriate fee.

PATAXAuthor

Level 12

👍 dkh... If you raise your fees 5% across the board for all clients, very few clients will complain and leave... And that 5% applied to your total gross receipts will be a nice pay increase for yourself... Just my opinion

dkh

Level 15

@PATAX I actually did a 10% increase this year ! 😁 Felt I deserved it with all the unemployment forms I had to chase down etc etc etc Not one client has complained or at least not to me.

M

mdtao31

Level 6

When confronted with this i tell my clients you file your taxes ONCE a year.its not like something you pay

weekly or monthly.the threat of not doing thier taxes next year puts an end to complaining.

regards,LARRY

stay safe

PATAXAuthor

Level 12

Exactly Larry you hit the nail on the head.. They come here once a year.. The same ones that complain go to the hairdresser or hair stylist every two weeks and pay more money than they pay us... Oh and by the way half of them are almost bald or getting there..

T

taxman313132

Level 3

according to bob j, there are 9,000 new pages of tax laws this year. you should be increasing your fees by 20%. i raised some, but over half my clients are seniors.

IRonMaN

Level 15

My prices are nowhere close to where they should be. But when I went off to college I chose a profession that I thought I would like, not the profession that I thought I could make the most money from. This year has been a bit challenging at times, but I still do enjoy this job. I have made comments over the years about my clients not exactly being rocket scientists. But overall, I have a real good client base made up of good people. My clients put their full faith and trust in me and I try to do the best job I can for them. I might not be the richest guy in Minnesota, but as long as I can stroll down to the Ford dealership and drive home a new pickup every 2 or 3 years, I'm content.

Slava Ukraini!

PATAXAuthor

Level 12

👍 well said Iron Man... I am also thankful that I have a good client base and I appreciate it... Thank God....

PATAXAuthorAnswer

Level 12

All of the replies herein are very informative and should be read by all... Just my opinion...

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