Tax Day Tyranny

April 15.

Tax Day.

The day every year when we, as Americans, collectively and voluntarily allow the theft of our money to be legitimized.

Income tax.

Another way of saying, if you receive something, someone else is automatically entitled to a portion of it.

So, as a marketing gimmick, and a way to draw people into their businesses, many companies offered special giveaways or freebies on Tax day. Cinnabon, Subway, McDonalds, MaggieMoos, just to name a few in this area...

Being a good friend of the Chief Editor as well as the Lead Writer of The Thrifty Groove, a blog dedicated to helping people save money, even in a tough economy, I felt like I had the inside scoop on where to find the best deals, and where to get the best freebies!

Hah!

My first attempt at a freebie was a Subway in Ann Arbor. Subway was supposed to be giving a free cookie to anyone who asked. There were no signs about a free cookie, but I asked them anyway. Neither employee had any idea what I was talking about.



Then I went to McDonalds. The first McDonalds was opened on April 15, so they had twice the reason to recognize the day. They were offering various promotions around the country being reported on news sites and blogs everywhere. The employees at the McDonalds in Ann Arbor had no idea what I was talking about.

Next, I visited Cinnabon, in Taylor, where they were supposed to be giving free Cinnabites. they had a sign posted advertising their free tax day Cinnabites. I bought a drink, and without even having to be asked, the employee offered me two free Cinnabites. Woohoo! Things are looking up!

I walked across the hallway to Subway and asked about the free cookie, they looked at me like I was asking if I could borrow their car or something.... No freebie there!

I stopped on my way home at a local McDonalds and again asked about the Tax Relief Special. After a long pause the employee answered, "We don't do that. Do you have a coupon or something?" I told her it was on their web site, she again replied, "Oh, we don't do that".

So, I came home Big Mac-less

Moral of the story.

Businesses, like government, often promise more than they deliver.

April 15 can be a reminder of that.