Should Have Made An Earlier Check
(It is April 15th and I work in a tax office. The office is actually fairly quiet, as most of our clients have already completed their taxes or filed extensions, so I have more time to answer calls. The phone rings, and I answer.)
Me: “Hello, how can I help?”
Caller: “I think I’m in trouble. I already filed my taxes a month ago, and wrote a check, but it hasn’t cleared yet.”
Me: “Are you a client of ours?”
Caller: “No. Do you think the IRS got my check?”
Me: “You said you sent it a month ago? Did you mail it certified?”
Caller: “No. Do you think they got it?”
Me: “I’m 99.9% sure the IRS did not get your check.”
Caller: “How do you know?”
Me: “They’re extremely quick to take your money. They were even taking payments during the government shutdown.”
Caller: “Crap, what do I do? Can I call the IRS?”
Me: “You technically can call the IRS, just not today.”
Caller: “Why not?”
Me: “It’s deadline day. During the off season hold times are measured in hours. Today you’d never even get through. Plus, it’s past seven on the east coast, so I’m pretty sure all the agents are drunk right now.”
Caller: “What do I do?!”
Me: “Stop payment on the first check, write another one, and get thee to the post office and send it certified. You have forty minutes. Have a good day!”
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?
