Greed......That's the best word for it!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I have really been looking forward to our upcoming trip to the Mesa, AZ woodcarving show in mid Feburuary. I've sent in my application, paid all the necessary fees and have been working hard at finishing up some pieces I hope to take along. Last night I got a call from one of the organizers saying that the City of Mesa has just applied a new requirement of a $50.00 Temporary Sales Permit. I guess the 8 percent sales tax is not enough for them, they want something extra just in case you DON'T sell anything!

Sure, I can deduct this from my taxes as an expense but that's not the point. What about the hobby-carver who looks to sell a few Christmas ornaments or a couple of small things for $10 or $20 dollars. Is it fair to charge him $50.00 for the right to do that? Give me a break! We'll be staying at a hotel in Mesa, eating in Mesa eateries, and probably drop a few bucks in various Mesa stores, gas stations, etc. Before we leave Mesa will probably do quite well by us. However, the way I'm feeling right now might be just enough to keep my dollars from finding their way into the city's tax coffers.

I've run into this same problem at the Wichita show years ago when the State of Kansas wanted me to file a State Income Tax return because I sold something one day in April. Even Oklahoma is starting to do this temporary thingy. Even though I have a Oklahoma Business License they expected me to pay for a Temporary one to be allowed to set up my table in Tulsa.

Here's a suggestion to all those out there putting on shows.....

Go downtown and tell your City moneygrubbers that you would like a Organizational Permit to allow those attending your show to submit their sales taxes under one, all-encompassing Temporary Sales Permit. Otherwise, those of us out here who would like to attend your event and are willing to drive hundreds or thousands of miles to do so will STAY HOME!

[Mitchell]

Amen to that.

There are LOTS of hidden "fees" that must be put back into the price of carving and attending shows. That's the biggest reason I don't do them.

Using your ornament example -> How can a seller "make" any money selling $10 - $20 ornaments? Any higher and no one will buy them and any less and you had just as well give them away because you surely aren't getting any return for the efforts.

[AlArchie]

Seems like government is ALWAYS looking for some "new" way to tax us. sometimes it's not called a tax, but a "user fee". Or maybe it's some other catchy phrase that has the base intention of separating us from our hard earned dollars. I've been (fortunate??) enough to have been on the govenrnment side of things a few time as I was elected to the local school board for around 10 years before I resigned in utter disgust. That gave me an opportunity to work with city and county commisioners and a few state legislators, and there is a constant search for new sources of revenue. Very seldom a quest for ways to keep expenses down, but a lot of search for new twists to old taxation schemes.

Arrrrrrrgggggghhhhh!

Al

[jillsy]

Now see, if you were an Illegal, you'd have none of this to worry about!

[BobD]

And they are always looking for a way to make someone else pay...that keeps the locals off their back!

I know what you're saying, Al. I covered the county beat and the school board beat when I wrote for a newspaper...aside from the blame game, they all just looked for new ways to tax or cut the essential services for their pet projects.

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You haven't seen "nuthin'" yet! Lynn...send me an email or a private message, I don't see a place to send you one....I may have a solution for you.

[Just Carving]

I feel for you Lynn. I have been contemplating starting some kind of a small business, and I all I hear and read is about big government controlling small business, and and getting their share of the profits--all for doing absolutely nothing for you except creating more bureacracy. I think the solution is to find a way do business by word of mouth, recommendations, and referrals.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Now, don't get me wrong.....I will gladly pay for the necessary permits or whatever it takes for me to market my work. And, like any good businessman I will pass these costs on to the next guy. It just irked me that I had thought I had covered all my costs for this show when here comes the City of Mesa with it's hand out asking me to fork over even more for a 3-day sales permit.

I pity the poor City of Mesa elected official or employee should they stop by my table and want to purchase something. Something tells me that it's going to cost them an extra $50.00 over what someone else would pay. And, depending on my mood at the time, I might just tack on an extra "Aggravation Fee"!! And add to that, if I'm feeling really cranky, I just might place one of my Tony Lama's up their........well, you get the picture!

[Kenny_S]

I have heard the ,"That is the price of doing business" before.
Doesn't make it right.

Bet they raised the fee for admittance also eh?
Wish you the best Lynn.
Yep, those cities want their part for sure.