ATX Community Shutting Down

[JohnH]

Without a doubt one of the best April Fools jokes I've been fooled by in a long time.

(Good one)

[Virtual Managed Solutions]

I'm very sorry guys, but I have to admit, I'm still chuckling over this one.

[rfassett]

I concur with the other posters - bad form, Erc! If it was anybody but you, there probably would have been a lynching. I can only think of one other April fool's joke that I bought hook, line and sinker even more than this one and that one occur over 3 decades ago and my wife was the pertitrator. You are in good company, Erc. I will share that other joke at another time and place. But for now, I have to go get some sedatives. Be still my heart!

Oh - BTW - thanks for the diversion. I would guess that we all needed that!

[Ray in Ohio]

Way to go ERC!!

I came onto this board today fully prepared for some pranks. Even when I read the title of this thread, all my prank sensors were in full alert mode. I really can't believe so many fell for it.

Ya gotta have a sense of humor in life!!! Good Job!!

[Catherine]

I'm very sorry guys, but I have to admit, I'm still chuckling over this one.

VERY LOUD raspberry sounds to both of you!!!!

Great gag, though.

[GLJEANNE]

Cruel, cruel you two!! Now that we've all recovered from our heart attacks though, it was funny!!

Maybe you should go over to their site and try this.

[joelgilb]

Very cruel joke

But a good one!

[Tax Prep by Deb]

I almost fell for it, but just as I was thinking of e-mailing ERC I thought if it's something he can't discuss here, then why are there over 30 posts? So I scanned a couple and realized he was being verrrrrry, verrrrry, bad!!!!!!!!

HaHa!

Deb!

[Denne]

Some folks sure know how to have, uh, fun! This was especially clever given the ugly history which brought about this community. I just couldn't/didn't want to believe it could possibly happen again.

Please be kinder to those of us of a certain age, though. We tend to shock easily!

That was my thought as well. Some of us know how dreadful it is to lose your contact with your support group right at the end of the tax season........ I got a little sick to my stomach when I read the posting. I am a faithful reader....sometimes poster and love this site. I sure didn't want to lose touch with everyone again. Can we say panic?! Naughty boy!! But....thank goodness for April Fool jokes ;~)

Ya sure got me!

[joanmcq]

By about the second post I remembered what day it is...and crossed my fingers...

[Gail in Virginia]

I did not fall for it, but it did get my attention and wake me up again! I can't imagine not having the use of this board, or losing it right at the last minute again!

[bstaxes]

Gee, I am glad I was not reading the board yesterday. I would probably had a stroke, but a good April Fools.

[Eric]

So I get an e-mail last night at 10PM from what looks to be a legit CCH e-mail saying they want me to give up the atxcommunity.com domain.

My first response was a reply asking if it's an April Fool's joke, but it really did look like it came from CCH, and I didn't get a response, so I was left to wonder about it.

If it turned out to be real, I was ready to tear the guy a new one for trying to pull your community out from under you folks at the end of tax season AGAIN.

But as it turns out, it WAS an April Fool's joke. From what I understand, KC and Bulldog Tom put Kyle up to it! I guess I had it coming

You guys were thiiiiiiiis close to getting moved to www.taxcommunity.net

I must say, that was a good one. I'll think twice before messing with you guys again, haha

[cpabsd]

Thanks KC and Bulldog Tom. I about had a heart attack last night when I saw the heading but quickly found out it was an April Fools joke. However, I can laugh today knowing someone returned the favor to Eric.

[Gail in Virginia]

I always feel that one good April Fools Day prank deserves to be repaid!! Thanks KC, Tom and Kyle!

[Virtual Managed Solutions]

It was hilarious talking to Eric on the phone this morning, trying to hold in my laughter. I had to put him on Mute a couple of times, because I couldn't keep it in any longer. I have to admit, this was the best April Fool's Day I've ever had.

Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen!

[BulldogTom]

Thank you Kyle. I wish you had thought to record the conversation on the phone so it could be posted here. Eric is a great man, and we all owe him a lot for what he did in putting this community together. But he needed to get paid back for what he did to us yesterday.

Can you from memory give us a blow by blow of the conversation?

Tom

Lodi, cA

[Teri2414]

NOT FUNNY!!!!!

[Lion EA]

Wait a minute! That means Kyle's a double agent. You guys have too much time on your hands in these long winters! Come down to CT and help me prepare fifty more returns by the 15th. That'll keep you out of trouble!

[Virtual Managed Solutions]

Wait a minute! That means Kyle's a double agent. You guys have too much time on your hands in these long winters! Come down to CT and help me prepare fifty more returns by the 15th. That'll keep you out of trouble!

No, I am not a double agent, we just have great programmers and lots of time

Tom - The call was recorded. I will see if I can upload it.

[Virtual Managed Solutions]

I have found the call - It did record. Although, our Email Server is being quite slow today and I'm currently waiting for the recording to come through. Once I get it, I will find a way to get it up here :)

[BulldogTom]

We need a new title for Kyle. After that one, "Advanced Member" just does not seem to adequately describe his stature on this board.

Tom

Lodi, CA

[zeke]

But, now I want to see the communication from "CCH". Is that possible??

z

[Virtual Managed Solutions]

Call recording could not be uploaded because it has an invalid file extension of .wma. I am going to try and get in touch with Eric shortly to see if he can upload it for me.

NOTE: **'s were added to stop key words being picked up on web searches.

Copy of email is listed below:

To Eric Brissette, owner of the UnOffical ATX Community:

We have been curiously observing your on-line forum for some time now. It was first brought to our attention by a small group of tax professionals who thought this unofficial site was related to C*H S*all F*rm Se**ices. Upon investigation of this matter, we now feel it is time to initiate contact.

There have been numerous discussions between our firm on what our course of action should be. Normally, our first approach is offering the rare opportunity to officially withdraw your ownership of this domain, as it inherits copyright infringements (i.e., FSA# 218-99 Sec. 28A of the Federal Submissions Act).

Your cooperation in this matter is expected, as we are prepared to take legal action within the next 10 days. If we do not hear from you within time given, this next step is guaranteed.

Feel free to contact me personally by phone and/or responding to this email.

Thank you in advance for your understanding in this matter.

Best,

R. Baldwin

[jklcpa]

Now that I've just read the email and highlights of the phone conversation, it is just funnier than ever. I can just picture it. It's even better that it came from Kyle back at Eric, instead of from KC and Tom. Something about a pink t-shirt and magic wand comes to mind....

Thanks for the laugh.