Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Their best stuff for free?

H&R block is giving away their best stuff free, eh? What a generous organization. Apparently what they saved in advertising review, they're passing on to us. Ya see, their best stuff, according to the commercials, is helping you fill out a 1040EZ - you know, the form designed so the average American, with NO tax prep experience, can fill it out WITHOUT having to go to a professional tax preparer?
So apparently, the rest of H&R Block's stuff is less than their best. Which means, anything you might actually NEED professional help with, and that you'll pay your hard earned money for, should probably go to some other tax preparer. Someone whose best stuff is actually the stuff you might need help with.

Strange, strange commercial. And here I am, giving them this review of why it's bad for FREE!
I guess my real question is this: Did H&R Block's ad people count on Americans being the idiots we are and decide to run what they knew was actually a commercial that speaks badly about their real work anyway? Did they count on a society who can't stay focused on anything more than 140 characters, or who won't think for themselves? Or did they just not realize that this commercial says what they do best is what a high school kid can do pretty darn good without any help?

I'm sticking with my brother-in-law for my taxes this year, but if I ever get back to the point where I can do a 1040EZ again, who knows, maybe instead of filling out that single page all by myself, I'll actually brave the elements and traffic and the embarrassment and take it to H&R Block and get me some of their best stuff, for FREE!

Luth
Out