H&R Block: Legitimate gripe or tempest in a teapot

[cuchulainn]

Earlier this week I posted an article from KABA about a boycott of H&R Block. I support the boycott in principle, but I was surprised at the reaction of some THRers: that the boycott was baseless and "stupid," and that Block was the victim of myth-making by over zealous gun enthusiasts.

Thus I'm curious to get a broader THR sampling. Maybe there's something here that I don't see.

Someone explain to me why it not only is OK to leave H&R Block unpunished for caving in to protest threats from anti-gun groups, it's actually misguided to punish them.

The Facts

1) Until last year, H&R Block had an agreement with a company called Memberdrive by which H&R Block gave money to participating organizations whose members used its tax services.

2) The NRA participated in Memberdrive.

3) The Brady Campaign (HCI) and group called Gun Industry Watch found out about the NRA's Memberdrive deal and threatened protests of H&R Block on March 16, 2002.

4) The week before March 16, H&R Block sent a letter to the Brady Campaign saying that in response to contacts from Brady members, it would not participate in Memberdrive any longer, so it hoped that this would "eliminate the need for any activities on March 16."
That letter is here: http://www.bradycampaign.org/downloads/031202hrblock.gif

5) To be fair, H&R Block ended all of Memberdrive, not just the NRA part, but it did so to avoid Brady protests about the NRA .

 

[2nd Amendment]

H&R caved to a tiny number of loud mouths and tossed a potentially immense customer block. Considering the lack of actual numbers on the side of the anti-rights extremists this was a stupid move for a variety of reasons. But rather than do a little research they buckled to a hollow threat. they deserve what they get.

 

[foghornl]

$40 for Turbo Tax and I do my own.

 

[cuchulainn]

Seriously, if you vote no, I'd like to know why H&R Block should not be punished for doing the bidding of Brady et al. (backing out of the Memberdrive deal).

What am I missing? I'm not trying to start a fight; I really don't see it

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I saw the CEO of H&R Block interviewed on one of the cable channels a few weeks ago. He was saying that tax cuts for individuals won't help the economy.:banghead:

I guess letting us all keep a little more of our money is bad business for tax preparers.

Use TurboTax.

 

[Ebbtide]

My office is right next door to an H&R Block four months out of the year (Jan thru April).

I don't think I would boycott them for the above reason as they do seem kind of petty and I can't punish them for making what appears to be a good business decision.

I will boycott them for using my parking space, taking up all the spots on the street, paying off the city to suspend the parking ban during thier hours of operation, and otherwise preying on the poor and unfortunate.

In my opinion, H&R Block is the worst place to have your taxes completed. They do not do anything you don't tell them and do not give tax advise (whats' a deduction and what not) and will only "fill out the forms" for you based on what you bring them. Then have the nerve to loan you your own money (after the govt. had borrowed it) and a steep cost. It is a sham, at least here in the big city.

 

[cuchulainn]

I don't think I would boycott them for the above reason as they do seem kind of petty and I can't punish them for making what appears to be a good business decision.

Sarah Brady says "End the deal or we'll make noise," Block complies and that's a good business decision? No attack, but that's exactly what you seem to be saying. I'm really not getting this

 

[UnknownSailor]

I get mine done for free, via the VITA center on base.

If I were out, I would do it myself.

Of course, I am able to figure out the tax form, because I can read instructions.

It's not that hard, fer crying out loud.

Then again, I'm not doing a 1040a.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I do my own through my retirement plan website.

Agree, though, that H&R Block should not get gun-owners business.

 

[Ebbtide]

Sarah Brady says "End the deal or we'll make noise," Block complies and that's a good business decision? No attack, but that's exactly what you seem to be saying. I'm really not getting this

cuchulainn,

No worries, I would not take that question as an attack.

As far as the business decision goes, I would think that if Ms. Brady started chirping about this, H&R would lose more money from those boycotting H&R's "secret pro-2nd agenda".

Given the over saturation of H&R Block outlets in the inner city and "poor" neighborhoods there are more anti's than gunnies willing to have thier taxes prepared by H&R (please don't flame, they are just like liquor, payday loan, and check cashing stores arond here---predators without morals). Not to mention that now H&R is not giving any money to anyone, business wise, that puts more in the pocket. They also have and "out" when asked why they discontinued their planned giving program ie. "Ask Sarah Brady why we don't donate anymore".

I will boycott an organization that opposes the 2nd, not for one that does not want to spend money defending itself on an issue unrelated to thier mission.

Hope this helps,

ehenz

 

[cuchulainn]

I will boycott an organization that opposes the 2nd, not for one that does not want to spend money defending itself on an issue unrelated to thier mission.

So you support Kmart -- after all, selling guns and ammo was not part of its mission, and it made good business sense avoid defending itself on an issue (selling guns) unrelated to its mission.

Kmart did not oppose the 2nd amendment. The 2nd does not require stores to sell guns or to keep selling them once they stop. It was a business (PR) decision.

Also selling guns is not part of Walmart's mission, so we will be wrong to stop shopping there when they cave in to Michael Moore, right? (para edited)

Still not getting it.

 

[Ebbtide]

cuchulainn,

I guess I don't understand what you are asking.

But perhaps this can clear things up.

I will not boycott H&R Block because they stopped giving money to the NRA because they were pressured by Sarah Brady, just as I will continue to not boycott my local grocery store because they do not give to the NRA.

Perhaps I'm not as hard lined as some of my friends here at Thehighroad. K-mart, Walmart, and H&R Block, currently employ people in my communitee. What good is it of me to not shop at K-mart when the end result is that my neighbors get laid off. I can assure you that the only pockets that get lighter when we decide to take our business elsewhere is the little guy. I don't see the heirs of Sam Walstien complaining about the loss of gun profit.

When we do take on such challenges we need not assume that our boycott will put any financial pressure on management. In principle boycotts are a good idea, but in practice have very little effect on who deserves it (unless we want to believe that we brought down K-mart).

Hope this helps explain my views on this one,

ehenz

 

[cuchulainn]

ehenz.

Well, at least you are applying the same standards to H&R Block as you are to Kmart. I can respect that even if I don't agree with it.

 

[No4Mk1]

I'll abstain from commenting on the pro's or con's of this particular boycot, but I will tell you this....

If you can not do your own taxes, DO NOT LET H&R BLOCK DO THEM.

If they are complicated enough that you need help, then they are complicated enough that you need PROFESSIONAL help.

'nuf said.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

A boycott is a tool to be used rarely and preferably when it can have some positive effect. As it stands now, I could only eat whenever someone asked me to boycott X in the name of gun rights and I'd never go hungry or miss many snacks. Not only that but a fair portion of the boycotts seem to be based on a single post from a firearms message board somewhere that may or may not be a valid complaint.

What will we gain by boycotting H&R Block? In what way will it advance gun rights? Did the company do anything that actually hurt gun rights? Will the company even understand that a drop in business is related to their decision of over a year ago? Will H&R Block even care that somebody who doesn't use their services is now going to REALLY not use their services?

We can fight every battle that comes along until we are worn down and dull or we can pick where we choose to fight so that the battles we do enter have a real potential to make a difference. I don't see this making any difference at all.