@geekbeak wrote:
Fair enough, point taken. It comes down to a personal decision based on one's own circumstances. My response was to the person who said very succintly that "A lot of it is the hassle factor; between the listing, posting, packing, shipping, returns, refunds, and all the other time hits inherent of selling on eBay" , this adds just another layer of work and complexity.
Everyone's situation is different. I am not a real business and I don't expect sympathy from the real eBayers. I am in what is probably a tiny minority of people who EXPECT to operate at a loss and eBay is just probably not for me anymore, at least not beyond $600 a year. My wife is ill. She loves the shopping and also likes to research our "finds" online when we get home. The rest falls to me. I get a kick out of it but it's mostly just a labor of love that I do for her. You'd be surprised at the joy she can have researching what's in a $5 jar of vintage buttons.
I just found it a little irksome that I came to the forum seeking information and found that an intelligent question might be responded to with "tax shirker!" I spend $50 - $200 and drive 150 miles a weekend and maybe recoup $50 or $75 in a good week. I KNOW I'm not making any money.
And the garage and closet cleaning is a whole other subject entirely...
I understand the layer, but I've said this here before - I can barely keep track of the money in my pocket. Back in the cash days I used to put a certain amount of cash in an envelope in my sock drawer and that was it for the week (I know, very sophisticated!). I don't know how many times I'd find myself running out early and be living on ramen noodles to try to make it stretch, then find a $20 bill "I didn't know I had" or $10 I'd left in my shoe or whatever. Oh, so that's where that money went!
If someone that bad with money can deal with a little book work, trust me, you can do it blindfolded on your head whistling "Backfield in Motion." I actually found it an interesting puzzle (I'm good at math, just bad with money) and pretty easy. I think you'll be fine with your good work and would keep going. Also, with all the travel and the like you do, it's BEGGING to be deducted, you'll have receipts. I doubt it's more than an hour a week (if that) to keep track.
At any rate, I hope you find a solution, but people are really making this a lot harder than it needs to be so I hope you don't feel discouraged.
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
— Alice Walker
#freedomtoread
#readbannedbooks
