At a forum in Omaha, Nebraska, yesterday, taxpayers were given an opportunity by the IRS to air their grievances with the tax system. The range of complaints was wide and included one account of being kept on hold for forty minutes after asking a simple question, others worried about identity theft, and some objected to being taxed at all.

The next forum will be in Phoenix and will concentrate on the problems experienced by the elderly. Although there was no information regarding how many of the complaints and suggestions would be acted upon, it is refreshing to see the IRS listening.

Forum Lets Taxpayers Turn Tables on IRS

Consumers are getting more savvy and more suspicious according to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology.

The Eddie Haskell approach of flattery doesn’t appeal to consumers and is more likely to lose the sale than seal it. Consumers are wary of salespeople who compliment them and view it as an attempt at manipulation.

An experiment in sales and flattery found that consumers didn’t trust the admiring comments of the salesperson, even if they came after the sale was completed. The lesson to salespeople might be “less is more” when it comes to flattering the customer.

Sales Pitches Turn Off Consumers, Study Finds

One of the fastest growing companies in the world, Starbucks is moving into the music market in a big way. Having begun selling CDs after realizing that their customers were asking about the music playing in the background, the company now plans a new series of stores concentrating on CD sales first and coffee as a sideline. There is even a strong possibility that they will start releasing music under their own label.

Since Starbucks has always been about ambience as much as coffee, this makes a lot of sense. Both coffee and music are mood setters. But perhaps the most interesting thing about their diversification is that it came through an understanding of their customers’ needs.

That could be a lesson for anyone involved in running a business.