I called this business on Feb 10th, 2014 to find out some info about Mr. Turner becoming my CPA. The receptionist/admin who answered the phone started off pretty friendly, but she was hard to talk to. She didn't seem to understand my questions, and kept giving me the same non-answer repeatedly. All I wanted to know was "Is there a fee for an initial consultation, and if so, how much would it be?" Also, what does he charge to prepare a tax return if it was a straight forward W2 return? All she would say is "I can't answer that", with no explanation as to why or what was behind it. All she would say was that tax problems would cost $350 per hour.
Fair enough. Those are his rates. But I asked, "what if I don't have tax problems? Is a standard return $350 then? Again, "I can't answer that." Well then, what will it cost me to find out the answer to how much it will cost me? "I'm sorry, I can't answer that either."
She was a poor communicator, and after a couple of minutes, of me trying to set an appointment (with no idea what that appointment would cost) she simply said, "Why don't you try calling someone else."
I was not rude, nor was I demanding. I spoke clearly, and asked simple questions of her. I could tell by our brief conversation that this was not a business I would want to have to call into for any real type of service need. She acted as if she could not be bothered by me, and that encounter turned me off so much that I just thanked her for her time, and told her "never mind."
I took her advise and went elsewhere, and called another firm. I asked that new firm the exact same questions the exact same way, and received polite and clear answers. I can't be certain (although I really am) but it felt to me as if Pat Turner's business was only interested in me if they could soak me for $350 an hour on an open ended basis. Thanks but no thanks. read more
