| In the past, you have heard
me mock the bureaucratic mindset; I promise that this
time, however, I will be funny and to the point.
Recently, upon arriving at the Los Angeles County
Hall of Administration, I realized I had forgotten to
bring copies of my comparable. Fortunately, I
was early (and not yet stressed out).
Discovering that I needed five copies of each
comparable (15 copies in all), I was directed by the
receptionist to a copy machine down the hallway.
Guess what? 25 cents per copy - rip-off city!
Next problem: no change in sight (remember, I
need 15 quarters). The receptionist then
directed me to a cafeteria further down the hall,
where I was told in a very sullen manner, "We
don't give change". I explained my
problem, and was then told to go upstairs to the main
cashier (the same place you pay your tax bills), as
that was the place where the cafeteria got its
quarters.
I was now running late - and getting stressed.
But then, an idea struck, I asked the worker at the
cafeteria if I could get change if I bought something.
I was told, "Yes, but only four quarters."
I said, "How about a purchase of four items?
Would you give me 16 quarters?" The
response: a sullen "No."
I then raced back upstairs to the first floor to
the cashier's window, where I was immediately
confronted with a large sign reminding taxpayers that
the return check charge was more than $49 (and I
thought 25 cents was a rip-off!).
My next unpleasant surprise was a
"bureaucratic" stare from the cashier.
No "May I help you?" or "Good
morning!" - just a "What do you want?"
stare.
I made the mistake of pleasantly asking for five
dollars' worth of quarters and was gleefully told that
she could only give me a dollars worth. |
Knowing the County
mentality, I was tempted to offer five dollars for
four dollars' worth of quarters. Instead, I
explained my dilemma with the copy machine and the
referral from the cafeteria (that it brought its
quarters from this window).
The answer was a very simple: "Yes, but
they buy in bulk - $250 at a time."
I'm sure you know my next response...I looked her
straight in the face and said, "Fine, I'll take
$250 worth of quarters." No kidding!
Again, I got that bored, resentful bureaucratic stare
as the cashier triumphantly said "You'll have to
fill out a requisition."
At this point, my patience was finally expended,
and I then politely asked, "May I please speak to
your supervisor?"
After explaining my plight to a not-too-sympathetic
supervisor, she disappeared, then returned with a
ten-dollar roll of quarters. I thanked her
profusely.
Trust me - I have never seen a more hateful glare
than that of the cashier who was, in fact, overruled
by common sense.
There is not one word of this tale that is untrue
or even slightly exaggerated. Although we
don't face this type of treatment on a daily basis, we
are familiar with it.
The bottom line here is: at tax appeals, be
more than prepared. It is a tough enough process
without trying to extract 15 quarters out of a
bureaucratic maze.
Through the ordeal, there was one bright spot:
the aforementioned receptionist, who was kind,
compassionate, sympathetic (and good-looking).
When I left, I thanked her for her empathy. As
an afterthought, I asked her how long she had worked
there. Her answer: three days.
Boy, could Kinko's make a fortune in that building!
Peter Rosenthal
VIP Trust Deed Company |