H&R Block free tax preparation a scam to get you in the door greenville, South Carolina

I went to H&R Block originally because I thought I would have to file two different state returns.  Fortunately, I began working in the different state too late in the year for it to be reflected on my 2011 taxes and so I could have actually e-filed the return myself.  I didn't know this at the time.  I went in and spoke with the lady and we discussed everything and she started figuring my return out.  Again, during my first visit we made the assumption we'd have to file in two different states.  I received my w2, dropped it by, went back the next day to finish up.  We went through everything. 

It was a simple return with an EIC, child tax credit, and HOH.  No itemized deductions, just the standard and I didn't even claim my student loan interest.  During all this time she had not given me a price.  I had assumed by looking at the pricing that it would either be free, I wish, or around $40 which is the average for filing.  She had already said we couldn't do a refund anticipation loan because the HSBC was no longer able to sponsor those. 

I did direct deposit instead of doing the Emerald Advance.  I finally asked how much we were talking and she told me $350, which is crazy when you talk about not having an RAL, receiving the money in 7-14.  She informed me that she had signed me up for a refund anticipation check.  This is the first I'd heard of it and I was assuming, again, that I would get it faster.  Nope.  I filed on Jan. 20th, 2012 and she informed my money would be deposited on Feb. 7th.  So not only did I pay a crazy amount of money on something that's advertised as being near free, but I have to wait longer than the people that e-filed themselves because of some BS about the government being backlogged. 

I call customer service.  There's nothing 'they' can do.  I found myself asking, what's the point of having a customer service line if you can't access my information and tell me anything about why you're charging me for these services?  She did inform me that the Refund anticipation check fee is only $40.  So again, I'm asking her why I'm paying $350 and all the customer service rep can tell me is that it must be preparation fees.  I'm sorry, everyone was as nice as they could be, but do NOT go to H&R Block if you don't want to be ripped off by false advertisements and unhelpful customer service. 

I even asked if they could credit the money back by price matching a competitor which is $200 less than them and she told me I'd have to go back to the office.  Now, keep in mind the first words out of my mouth when I called was 'I'm unhappy with your service and I won't be returning to you next year' and the first lady that I spoke with said 'ok I'm sorry you feel that way' and offered no solution or explanation.  She was completely willing to let me go, after all, saps like me are a dime a dozen.   I had to ask to speak to a supervisor and despite being as polite as possible she couldn't answer any of my questions and she couldn't offer me any assistance.  

If you want to be overcharged and undervalued then by all means go to H&R Block to file your return, or just do it at home and save yourself $350.  Also, enjoy your money in the 7-10 it takes the IRS to process it rather than the 3 weeks I'll be waiting to receive my refund faster than the rest of you.  I am a manager for a retail establishment and if I allowed my customers to feel this way I'd lose my job and we wouldn't even need to open the doors in the morning because we'd have no customers.  And I told her as much.  I got another apology.  I can't take apologies to the bank.