Jack from Ohio

I must certainly live in a different USA than you do. It is, after all, 2008 not 1914. We are living in a global market, and as such, unskilled workers have become less valuable. Skilled workers and people with careers, training, post-seconday education have features that make them valuable to employers that have jobs that require more than a rudimentary education to do. Show me the source of the idea that... "All Americans are ENTITLED to one single job that will provide a living wage with no effort on their part other than to show up." That is the basic idea you are espousing.

At the firm here, we use Stamps.com. A simple Dymo printer. You can print labels for postage, or print directly on envelopes or postcards. MUCH cheaper than a calculating scale like you describe.

I knew your answer to that question before I ever asked it. Some things are so very self-evident to those of us who have been in the place to hire people. Your answer just reinforces my position and the facts in the market today.

You skipped my first question.... "Do you, or have you ever, hired employees for YOUR company?"

Do you, or have you ever, hired employees for YOUR company? I am not sure what area of the country you are in, but when the average person applying for a job cannot fill out a simple employment application without help, what do they have to offer me that would make them worth a "living" wage?? Another afterthought... If your assertions about business are correct, why is GM losing Billions now when they used to make Billions in profit?

There are 2 distinct and different types of unions. I define a labor union as a union that can be joined simply by working for a company. These cause wages to be inflated above what the jobs are truly worth. The second one is a trade union. This is a union that can only be joined when you have a special skill or trade. Plumbers, steamfitters, steel workers, electricians, carpenters, etc. In order to even be a member, you must have shown your willingness to work and learn. Most apprenticeships are 2-4 years. These trade unions allow employers better access to the skilled tradesmen they need. Trust me, 90% of the jobs in the GM Assembly and parts plants in the SW Ohio area are jobs that any semi-intelligent person can learn in 2 weeks or less, and require the huge investment of a pair of safety boots, and a lunch box. One of the big factors in these latest plant closings was the strike at the axle plant that shut down so many others in order to "keep our wages at a liveable level." Mission accomplished, now several hundred of your other union collegues are unemployed. Back off my soapbox again....

I live about 40 miles from the Moraine Assembly Plant for GM. It WILL be closed by 2010. At the firm I work at, we do MANY returns for GM workers. The jobs that are going away, are assembly plant jobs. 90% NON-SKILLED!!! Many of the workers there have earned wages FAR in excess of what the jobs are worth for many years. Now, when life throws them a curve, they have NO skills or training to make them valuable for any other kind of job. I hear them crying about not being able to live. One lady worked there 25 years and had NO savings, and she was single with NO children. Your husband has a SKILLED job. He does not fit the labor union model. I rose to Service Manager at a Chrylser-Dodge-Jeep dealership. It tooke me 25 years to be qualified enough to write my own ticket at that time. 30 years total in the industry. I was a Certified Master Technician after about 8 years of working. I EARNED the right to ask for high pay. Tech School, several years just above entry level, tools worth $20,000 and countless hours of studying and training to keep up. People would say I am lucky. No, I studied in High School instead of partying. I paid my own way through tech school (parents could not help), I put in my years learning, and I EARNED the right to command good pay at my job. Several years I worked full time as a technician, and also had a part time job to supplement so I could pay my own way. The young person's mentality today is "I deserve the same income as the person with 25+ years of work history, just because...." Done ranting now. This afternoon I listened to another GM worker crying about not being able to live, and how after 17 years of household income of $100K from him and his wife, they will not be able to live now.

If I were hiring someone and they said that to me. My next question would be... "Show me why YOU are worth more than $8/hr to me." When I first went into the workforce, I had 2 minimum wage part-time jobs so I could have the money I needed. I then went to technical college to obtain the skills to learn how to be worth more to employers. Worked several years earning just above entry level, then after about 5 years, I started earning much better. And more steps like that over the last 35 years. There is no Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing every citizen the right to a single job that will provide them and their family a middle class living. IMNSHO The influence of labor unions providing inflated pay for non-skilled jobs, whose only requirement are a body temp of 98 degrees, has ruined the work ethic of the last 2 generations of young people.

I am a bit confused how college/high school kids can affect unemployment claims. 1) Unemployment claims are filed when a person who IS working, is NO LONGER working. If the students have been in school, the best they could have been was part-time employed. If a student leaves a job to go back home for the summer, he/she is ineligible for unemployment benefits. 2) I live in a small county seat town in Ohio. Population 12,000 - 14,000 depending on whose numbers you believe. The actual "market driven" minimum wage has been over $7.00/hr for over 2 years. All part time employers have to pay that to attract workers and they still have trouble staffing entry level and fast food positions. Therefore the Federal legislation has changed NOTHING in my town or county. 3) I believe most of the country fits the same scenario. I saw a help wanted poster in the window at a White Castle in Dayton Ohio offering $9.00 to start and signing bonuses. 4) Most of the people applying for these jobs here in my town are NOT worth $7.00/hr. Even though they are "High School Graduates (?)"They cannot speak properly, poor grammar, cannot count, much less make change, and have a work ethic of... "Well if I don't keep a job, mom and dad will support me." Sad but too true of our teenagers today.

Eric, you take care of your business!! We appreciate all you have done. I am not sure everyone that uses this board understands the amount of time and effort required. Thank you again!! Hey Joe, I am a Super Delegate looking to be bribed.... :D

That software is 4 almost 5 years old. Charge her enough extra that she could have purchased a new version of QB. Too many people are penny smart and dollar foolish. Your time has value. Another option... Do you provide bookkeeping service? This is a good prospect for that. It is, after all, 2008, not 1968.

1) Have your client export all the information. The 2004 program will create a file. 2) Move that file to your computer. 3) Open your new version of QB and use the import function. 4) Be sure to save a copy of the original old file, just in case. 5) Charge them at least the cost of a new version of QB for your technical ability to overcome their choice to stay behind.

The real question becomes... Is there a 12 step process for treatment of this condition?? :scratch_head:

I have never seen so much attention generated over a few hundred dollars. We can't get people to bring us stock basis for multi-thousand dollar transaction, but I better get my d**n $300 free money!!! People seem to have the idea this was to help the "financially challenged." It was intended as a rebate of taxes to income earning citizens. It is NOT a welfare handout. Getting tired of that attitude from people that only got $300 because they had $0 tax for the year. Thank you for letting me vent...

Possibly Tuesday??? :scratch_head:

booger, Customer support (?) is controlled by the same group of execs that control the life of the software. This is a major reason for concern. If they do not value their customer base enough to provide adequate service, what makes you think they are smart enough to see the value of keeping the software??

Julie, Congrats on your move ahead!! I am certain you will make it work!! Here is a tip that has had good results for me. Use the customer referral form in the program. It generates discount vouchers for your clients to give to new people. If the new person brings in a voucher, you know who referred them and it gives your new client a discount. I give m clients cash for each referral that becomes my customer. You can customize the voucher to fit your situation. Mail the referral vouchers with your Jan letter. I am certain things will move ahead for you. My home practice has not outgrown my space yet, but I am thinking in another year or two it may. It is always good to see a fellow tax preparer moving ahead.

Do your clients have any family or friends in my neighborhood of Ohio???

I believe the difference in opinion between myself and Jainen can be easily explained with a numerical answer to one question. "How many clients do you have?" The firm I work for has ~3,000 this year, from all 50 states, and all dempgraphic groups. It is what has generated my statements here. My personal practice, I have 157 clients for 2007. From my personal clients, 6 phone calls. Two from elderly that had been given bad information from relatives, one from a "Know it all", and 3 from people who were debunking myths told to them at work. An entirely different group of people than at my firm. Jainen, if one of your employees was that short with a client and hung up on them, would you take kindly to it?

People are much quicker to believe their co-workers, bowling buddies, family members, what they heard on the TV, etc. I had a lady tell me that she read that VA Disability recipients were entitled to an ADDITIONAL $300. They had plenty of earned income to get the $300 each, but she was wondering why they did not get the ADDITIONAL money they "had coming." I was only able to politely end the conversation by telling her to call the IRS and let me know where that part of the progam is listed. People are treating this rebate as money they are "entitled" to.

Your numbers are nowhere near the reality I experience. Never less than 15 minutes, because every answer I give is challenged. 50% use bank numbers. 20% refuse to e-file. Even the ones with bank accounts call when "I didn't get the amount I was supposed to. Did you do my return correctly?" I am tasked with answering these calls. People will call instead of read.

This could be a good selling point to use to increase our business next year.

We have over 3,000 clients at the firm where I work. if only half call, 1,500 X 15 minutes = 375 hours.

Find a computer supplier that will put XP Pro on your new computer. Vista will be a nightmare in your situation. Then find a competent computer guru in your area to help with the migration to your new system. Having him do that for you will be well worth whatever price he charges. Vista will die of it own weight in about 2 more years. These recommendations are from first hand experience.

I just on Monday had to reprint a 2002 return for a client. Major pain in the butt to do!! I have gotten used to the new programs and have a renewed appreciaton for what the program has become. CCH should listen to us about how good the program is and change their customer service attitude!!