My ebook Teens and Taxes recently received a two-star review on Amazon.
Here’s what the reviewer, Gary Marble, said:
This is a very short booklet, offering little detail. It does have some helpful information in it, to be fair, but it offers little more than is already stated on her website. I was not happy to pay $2.99 for the e-book (more like a pamphlet in size).
I never respond to negative reviews on Amazon, but if I did here is what I would write:
I spent several hours researching and writing my ebook, Teens and Taxes. I spend several more hours updating it every year. I answer questions on my TeensAndTaxes.com website from readers without charging them my hourly rate as a CPA. I am generous with my time and share my expertise in a short ebook (40 pages) for only $3 and for all this I get a 2 star review?!
I am criticized for offering little more than what is already stated on my website. So I’m being criticized for being generous by offering free advice on my website? The ebook offers quite a bit more than the website. It complies all the information on taxes for teenagers in a way my website and certainly the IRS website does not. It includes samples of tax returns for teenagers that are not on the TeensandTaxes.com website. It offers a lot of detail for parents who are confused by the IRS tax laws.
If you’ve read the ebook or have been helped by my TeensAndTaxes.com website, you would consider adding a positive review to the book’s Amazon page? I’d appreciate it.
Feel free to reply to Mr Marble’s 2 star review, if you wish. I won’t comment, but you certainly can!
Thanks for letting me rant, everyone.
The 2013 version of Teens and Taxes will be available soon.
Carol Topp, CPA
