Complaint Review: Intuit - Turbo Tax - Nationwide

I have been a loyal user of Turbo Tax for over 20 years, and an online user since 2008.  That loyalty has most likely stopped as of today for the following reason: 

While preparing my taxes as usual in Turbo Tax online, I was surprised and shocked when after about halfway through entering my information I was forced to upgrade from the Deluxe version to Premier (due to preparing a Royalty entry for Schedule E, I assume).  In researching the problem, I found out that Intuit/Turbo Tax people decided to arbitrarily and without notice to their customers/consumers not only increase the price of the product, but also that they removed several items normally used in the Deluxe version (specifically Schedule C, D, and E).  I also saw that they offered – as compensation for their actions – a $25 cash back offer (refund) to customers who used a previous year’s Deluxe product (2013) and this year (2014) had to upgrade to Premier.  Seeing that, although I was still upset at the ‘surprise’ upgrade, knowing I’d get a $25 refund from Turbo Tax I decided to continue on and finish my tax preparation online and e-filing.

Imagine my surprise then when I tried to take advantage of their “mea culpa” offer (*after* I paid and completed my e-filing… they said you have to use the upgraded version, used a 2013 Deluxe version previously, and have filed your taxes before you could apply for the $25 refund – all of which I had done), only to find out that the $25 refund they offered does NOT apply to online users!!  So my question, rightly so, is:  Why not?  Why are we (online users) being punished for using the product online?  It still was a “bait and switch”, and was totally unexpected and without reason (other than the company admitting their error, I found out later), and ALL users were affected… not only the CD or download users.  

Why then does Intuit/Turbo Tax feel their online users should not receive the same monetary savings/rewards/compensation that others do? Online users have suffered the same issues – being forced to upgrade – that the CD/Download users are. 

Had I known I was going to be forced to upgrade – and then they weren't going to honor online users the $25 refund – I would most certainly have gone elsewhere. It cost me an additional $16 to upgrade, the extra cost for the added difference in sales tax, plus the extra time, effort and energy for me to research on what happened.   Additionally, the number they have listed to call to inquire about this issue is a waste of time – you don’t even get to speak with anyone!  You get an automated recording telling you to leave you phone number and they’ll call you back.  You don’t even get an option to hold!   I'm very angry… on several levels.

Not providing the same compensation for ALL their customers is not acceptable, and is blatantly discriminatory.

Because I feel so strongly about this, I intend on warning everyone I can in every venue possible.  I will NOT be using Turbo Tax ever again.  Not providing the same compensation for ALL their customers is not acceptable and is blatantly discriminatory.