H&R Block

Just got back from attempting to file my taxes with H and R Block. The experience started off ok with the exception of the «tax professional» talking my ear off about things irrelevant to my taxes for 30 minutes. My tax information took about 10 minutes to process and then I was given a 152 dollar bill. I was not informed of the process nor what it would cost. I did not think that this was fair nor did I feel they were truthful with me, so I elected not to file. This enraged the «tax professional» who then yelled at me to get out of his sight…

I’m being generous with two stars here. I’m rewarding them because:
1. Our taxes are done.
2. We’re getting a refund and the econ. stimulus boost.
Yes, I know that these things could occur without going to H&R Block, but my husband and I are English majors, and this amount of paperwork /​number crunching causes us to go *TILT*. I should also note that we finished our taxes on April 14, but my husband first stepped into this office on April 9. Yes, we procrastinated and came in during the last minute rush. You can take that into consideration when you judge this place, but here are just a few direct quotes from our tax preparer (he was 100% serious):
*“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but in all honesty, it would be better for you and your husband if your parents died before 2011. It would be like a cash windfall.”
*“I can’t believe you live in the Bronx. You two look like you should live on the Upper East Side. You must glow when you walk around your neighborhood.”
*”(After I extended a hand in greeting): «I don’t shake» — I later watched him chew on the pen my husband and I used to sign documents.
*“We stay in business because of all the people who come to us, even though they could easily file returns on their own.” (Hmmm, if i could EASILY do it on my own, I wouldn’t be PAYING you to, now would I)?
As I said, my husband met with our preparer initially a few days back, and was told to return on the 14^th. After coming in twice and being told to come back (and being laughed at when he asked if he could make an appointment), we finally returned together at 6:00 p.m. on the 14^th and waited almost two hours (we were told it would be half an hour). By 7:00 p.m., we were surrounded by folks who had 5:00 p.m. «appointments» and had yet to see anyone. The space was small and unclean, and while the receptionist was friendly enough, she wasn’t particularly knowledgeable or helpful.
Bottom line: Yes, H&R Block got the job done (and we did get a $ 25 discount for waiting so long), but I thought the off-​base remarks were utterly unprofessional and frankly quite offensive, especially considering that the preparer did not know us at all (although those comments would be inappropriate no matter what). I’m taking my W-​2 elsewhere next year!!!