Roberts and Company, Inc., CPA

The issue is not the subject matter of the call but that Mr*** neither informed me that I was going to be billed for the call at the beginning of our minconversation nor at the endI was under the impression that this WAS and introductory call and it was never implied differently from Mr***Mr*** is correct that I have had experience with other professionals billing for phone calls, the business practice I experienced from others is that they informed me at the beginning of the call or at the onset of our working relationship that there would be a fee charged for calls, this did not happen with Mr***The only issue here is that Mr*** should not assume that when a prospective client calls to discuss possible services without clarity at the beginning of the call it is presumed there will not be a bill showing up in the mail without an explanation of the charges or why there were any in the first place

My perception of the facts as presented by the complainant is significantly different. Her call was not an introductory call as we dealt with several issues in depth. As the conclusion of the call I requested her address for billing purposes which she readily provided. I would point out that the name she provided at the conclusion of the consultation is different than the one she is using in the complaint. There is no way I could have obtained her billing information without her cooperation. She also implies that the invoice she received was missing information concerning the nature of the billing. Our billing system provides detailed explanations of all services rendered

On June 16, 2014 [redacted]?)telephoned me with specific questions regarding the sale of a residence. There was no indication from her at the start of the call that this was an "introductory" call or that there was any expectation that the the services being rendered would be at no...

cost to her. During the approximately 30 minutes that I was consulting with her she was advised on issues regarding the sale of the residence, the need for her to file amended tax returns for errors she had on her self-prepared tax returns, and timing issues related to the sale of the residence. She was informed of the cost to amend her incorrect tax returns if she required assistance. She has acknowledged in her complaint that it has been her experience that professionals have told her that they would be billing for telephone calls; accordingly, it is unclear to me as to why she believed this consultation would be at no cost to her. Billing for telephone consultations is an expected practice in the industry.

I am rejecting this response because: I have already addressed why I gave my address to Mr [redacted]. I was considering using his services. He gave me the amount he was going to charge to help me amend my taxes and I thought he was going to send me information regarding that.  Had I known he was going to invoice me I would not have given it to him because he NEVER mentioned there was a charge for initial phone call. On the invoice I have attached, there is no mention on what Mr [redacted] charges per hr or the length of the phone call. I did not push this issue because it is all irrelevant because I should not have been charged, so it does not matter.
To clear up the mystery of my different last name in the span of the last 4 months...I got married. There was no deception, simple name change.

Review: On 6/30/14, I had a phone conversation with [redacted] in what can be summed up as a introductory referral phone call. I was given his phone number because my financial advisor thought he might be able to clarify an issue in the sale of my house. After a few attempts of returning phone calls we did connect and I thanked him for explaining what the situation was and what he could do to help, if I hired him. I acknowledged that and was going to give it thought until I received a bill for his phone call. He never said there was a charge for our introductory call. Not at anytime was it mentioned. I have had experiences with phone calls from professionals and they have always told me BEFORE we discussed any issues that there would be a charge. At no time was I made aware of this practice of his. When he asked for my address. I gave it to him because I was expecting to get a possible worksheet that if I hired him, I would be prepared as well as a follow up letter on how he could help me if I hired him. He did give me a price for his services if I needed help with my taxes.When I received the bill, I thought it was a mistake. On the second bill, I responded by letter that he never told me he would be charging me and I thought it was very unprofessional to not have made it clear before we spoke. He responded by letter that he was disappointed about receiving my letter. He went on to say that his getting my address should have been an indication of an expectation on my part that I would be billed. He said if I did not pay the bill, he would send me to collections. Another copy of the original bill was attached with an amount due of $80. I have stopped any form of correspondences with this man. If I knew there would be a charge I would then have had the choice to proceed with the initial call or not. I contend I was not advised about a charge and he should not assume that I knew that is how he operates. He should know better than assume anything.Desired Settlement: I want him to remove the charge.

Business

Response:

On June 16, 2014 [redacted]?)telephoned me with specific questions regarding the sale of a residence. There was no indication from her at the start of the call that this was an "introductory" call or that there was any expectation that the the services being rendered would be at no cost to her. During the approximately 30 minutes that I was consulting with her she was advised on issues regarding the sale of the residence, the need for her to file amended tax returns for errors she had on her self-prepared tax returns, and timing issues related to the sale of the residence. She was informed of the cost to amend her incorrect tax returns if she required assistance. She has acknowledged in her complaint that it has been her experience that professionals have told her that they would be billing for telephone calls; accordingly, it is unclear to me as to why she believed this consultation would be at no cost to her. Billing for telephone consultations is an expected practice in the industry.

Consumer

Response:

The issue is not the subject matter of the call but that Mr. [redacted] neither informed me that I was going to be billed for the call at the beginning of our 20 min. conversation nor at the end. I was under the impression that this WAS and introductory call and it was never implied differently from Mr. [redacted]. Mr. [redacted] is correct that I have had experience with other professionals billing for phone calls, the business practice I experienced from others is that they informed me at the beginning of the call or at the onset of our working relationship that there would be a fee charged for calls, this did not happen with Mr. [redacted]. The only issue here is that Mr. [redacted] should not assume that when a prospective client calls to discuss possible services without clarity at the beginning of the call it is presumed there will not be a bill showing up in the mail without an explanation of the charges or why there were any in the first place.

Business

Response:

My perception of the facts as presented by the complainant is significantly different. Her call was not an introductory call as we dealt with several issues in depth. As the conclusion of the call I requested her address for billing purposes which she readily provided. I would point out that the name she provided at the conclusion of the consultation is different than the one she is using in the complaint. There is no way I could have obtained her billing information without her cooperation. She also implies that the invoice she received was missing information concerning the nature of the billing. Our billing system provides detailed explanations of all services rendered.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: I have already addressed why I gave my address to Mr [redacted]. I was considering using his services. He gave me the amount he was going to charge to help me amend my taxes and I thought he was going to send me information regarding that. Had I known he was going to invoice me I would not have given it to him because he NEVER mentioned there was a charge for initial phone call. On the invoice I have attached, there is no mention on what Mr [redacted] charges per hr or the length of the phone call. I did not push this issue because it is all irrelevant because I should not have been charged, so it does not matter.

To clear up the mystery of my different last name in the span of the last 4 months...I got married. There was no deception, simple name change.