H&R Block

I was a victim on Saturday, March 30^th 2013.
Before this year, I always filed by myself because it was a pretty easy thing to do. This year was a bit different because of freelance jobs and having to move for a job, so I decided to get some help. Having never filed taxes through any company, I called in advance of using H&R Block to find out how they work, and more importantly, how they charge. As an extremely meticulous person, I went through everything I had to file with them, and then asked them for an estimate. I was told it’d be anywhere from $ 200 – 250. Please remember this: I was told an estimate, I wasn’t told that «Pricing starts from $ 239.99 and up.»
So I get there and work with a woman named Tracy. She seemed competent and was nice as well. In about an hour, we were done. I owed money to the feds but hey, that isn’t on them, I can’t be mad there. I was just happy to have my taxes done. Then, as she concluded, she told me I owed H&R Block roughly $ 475 bucks. WOW. That was way off the estimate. I mean, I know I added in one expense of about $ 30, but last I checked an estimate of $ 200 – 250 doesn’t double because of a $ 30 fee.
Here’s the kicker: after (justifiably) being upset and shocked, I asked if there was anything they could do. Could I make monthly plans to pay it off? No. Does it all have to be paid today? Yes. Being young and dumb, I paid the money because I felt like the service was provided and there was nothing I could do about it now after we concluded our session. I had absolutely no idea I could just walk out and file elsewhere. That was also never conveyed to me either. Tracy was good with the filing, but man, I felt like I had no other option at that point. She told me that she’d tell the manager about the extremely wrong estimate as I was not victim #1.
I then went home and filed a complaint with HQ because I was still upset. I tell them what I’ve told you all, and they say I’ll get a call within 3 – 5 business days. Okay. They’re a big business, I get it. So fine, I’ll look forward to your call.
So here we are today, April 4^th, 2013. I get a call from HQ and I tell them what happened again. They then say there is nothing they can do for me because they don’t refund money from HQ, and I need to contact the district manager. And that’s all they told me. Okay? Thanks for nothing?
I say thanks and hang up then because they are worthless in my effort to get this gross mishandling of customer service figured out. I call the H&R Block that held me up for $ 475 and ask for the district manager. They tell me she isn’t in, but will call me back. Cool. I give them my number.
An hour goes by and I get a phone call from the manager. She says thanks for calling because she was never told about my experience (Thanks again, Tracy!)
I tell her my story then she says sorry this happened and the usual dialogue these conversations create. I’m then told she can’t refund me anything to correct the awful estimate I was provided, but offers me to file with them next year for fifty percent off. She claims she couldn’t get an approval on a refund because it’s the classic case of he-​said-​she-​said.
That is when I became seriously frustrated.
50% off? Are you kidding me? God, even if I don’t file myself next year there is no way I’d give H&R Block more money. I rather pay someone else (who cares about the individual) a higher rate next year than file with these guys again. I said to her, «No, I will not give you guys more money next year. I just rather rip you apart online.»
Truth be told, I rather just have the original estimate honored and be given back the difference of what would have been $ 280 (I know we’re talking about $ 195 here people, but I don’t make a ton of money). Truth be told, I rather be shown a little respect and have a company take full responsibility for the incompetence of their employees. Truth be told, I rather be treated as a person, rather than a trinket.
But that isn’t going to happen, apparently. I was young and dumb, and I should have either just walked out or called my credit card company and have them decline that charge. But I didn’t. So congrats, H&R Block, you got the extra $ 195 of a young and dumb 24 year old who is now wiser because of this.
Don’t go here, spend your money elsewhere. It’ll line the pockets of an entity that is hopefully a little more respectful than these guys.

Call me crazy, but I have never heard of a seasonal H&R Block store! Went by and low and behold they have closed up till January 3, 2011.
I like, trust and use H&R Block and have for years, but I guess I will be driving to Baymeadows if I want anything done before next tax season???