@PerryHall said:
Does Heritage and GC report your sales to the IRS? If so, your tax returns just got more complicated.
Does Heritage and GC collect sales taxes? If so, do most bidders factor that in when they determine their maximum bid?
These are not taxed in my State.
Doesn't matter. Sales tax is (largely) due depending on what taxes are due in the buyer's jurisdiction. If there is a small enough amount of business done in that state, it may not require the seller to collect sales tax, but generally the buyer is required to pay "Use tax" in lieu of the foregone sales tax. Some people even do.
Note that if you sell through eBay, Heritage, or Great Collections then it is their sales that determine whether it is large enough to collect tax.
@C2C said:
There may not be sales tax, but there most assuredly is a tax on your gains from the sale. Even if your state doesn’t have an income tax you will have a taxable federal gain unless you sell for a net loss.
Which is why it's so frickin' annoying when I get an expensive coin from a dealer and NO RECEIPT. The auction details better be enough for the IRS because that's all I have to prove my cost basis. So please, don't bother putting your business card in there if you're not going to include A FOOKIN RECEIPT. For crying out loud...
@C2C said:
There may not be sales tax, but there most assuredly is a tax on your gains from the sale. Even if your state doesn’t have an income tax you will have a taxable federal gain unless you sell for a net loss.
Which is why it's so frickin' annoying when I get an expensive coin from a dealer and NO RECEIPT. The auction details better be enough for the IRS because that's all I have to prove my cost basis. So please, don't bother putting your business card in there if you're not going to include A FOOKIN RECEIPT. For crying out loud...
Receipt = legal contract and transfer of ownership. First question my old law professor threw at us...
100% positive transactions with SurfinxHI, bigole, 1madman, collectorcoins, proofmorgan, Luke Marshall, silver pop, golden egg, point five zero,coin22lover, alohagary, blaircountycoin,joebb21
@C2C said:
There may not be sales tax, but there most assuredly is a tax on your gains from the sale. Even if your state doesn’t have an income tax you will have a taxable federal gain unless you sell for a net loss.
Which is why it's so frickin' annoying when I get an expensive coin from a dealer and NO RECEIPT. The auction details better be enough for the IRS because that's all I have to prove my cost basis. So please, don't bother putting your business card in there if you're not going to include A FOOKIN RECEIPT. For crying out loud...
Of course you only need to prove your basis if you're audited. I have to think that it would work, but don't you have a canceled check, stub, credit card statement, something to show that you were the one who paid for the auction winnings?
@C2C said:
There may not be sales tax, but there most assuredly is a tax on your gains from the sale. Even if your state doesn’t have an income tax you will have a taxable federal gain unless you sell for a net loss.
Which is why it's so frickin' annoying when I get an expensive coin from a dealer and NO RECEIPT. The auction details better be enough for the IRS because that's all I have to prove my cost basis. So please, don't bother putting your business card in there if you're not going to include A FOOKIN RECEIPT. For crying out loud...
Are these orders by phone with nothing else? Is there no online order confirmation or email? I realize it may be easier to file away a piece of paper, but almost always there's something available. And if not, make a note of the date and the check number/credit card to have a record. Or email the dealer and ask for them to write up something quick.
It may be appropriate to re-up this post due to recent tax reporting changes. Apologies for raising a post from the dead, but just sayin…
What I have noticed about eBay is that sales taxes are tacked on by their platform regardless of whether numismatic and/or bullion purchases are exempt in the buyer’s state, city, or county. So as much as 15% is factored out of what the seller will receive. Another 15% minimum goes to eBay.
eBay also charges sales tax and their fees against the cost of the postage (which in the case of USPS is illegal because the federal government is exempt from state and local taxes). So there goes another percent or two the seller does not receive.
There is the problem of returns, and even worse, the old switcheroo where the buyer substitutes a lesser or damaged item, and returns the item for credit. Further, buyers falsely claim items are non-delivered or stolen unless you go to extremes of signature requirement and heaps of insurance.
If you have items that are very desired and one of a kind, this might not deter a buyer, but where everybody and their uncle is selling the same thing, the buyer goes for the cheapest. That is human nature. But I cannot help but think the seller is taking a 33% hit on eBay vs. a person to person sale at a coin show.
Selling to a dealer likely also would result in a similar 33% hit, so eBay is not out of line that way, and offers the seller a convenience. But eBay can suck your money back as long as a year after the sale, whereas a dealer will not do that. It can be years longer than that on claw backs if your buyer is using dirty money to purchase your coins.
Finally, you are likely exempt from collecting and reporting taxes on sales under South Dakota v Wayfair unless you are dealing in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per state. Not so through eBay, as all such marketplace facilitators now manditorially collect your tax ID numbers and send out 1099’s as of January 1, 2023. You probably need a business license and will have to file quarterly tax reports with your state and locality to be totally legit. eBay and the states have been, and will be, subject to data breaches.
As has been said elsewhere, your personal and business tax situation has not changed, only the privacy aspects of it have changed. Your deals through eBay are very public.
I do not know if Heritage and the others are considered marketplace facilitators like eBay, but perhaps they are. Someone better versed in their practices may wish to comment.
@Custerlost said:
What I have noticed about eBay is that sales taxes are tacked on by their platform regardless of whether numismatic and/or bullion purchases are exempt in the buyer’s state, city, or county. So as much as 15% is factored out of what the seller will receive. Another 15% minimum goes to eBay.
Not sure where you're getting "15% minimum goes to eBay". eBay charges 12.9% for coins (7% if the sale is over $7500). If you have a store, that rate is 8.8% up to $4000 and 2.35% on anything above that.
Just sayin'.
BTW, which states charge 15% for sales tax? I looked, couldn't find any.
@Custerlost said:
What I have noticed about eBay is that sales taxes are tacked on by their platform regardless of whether numismatic and/or bullion purchases are exempt in the buyer’s state, city, or county. So as much as 15% is factored out of what the seller will receive. Another 15% minimum goes to eBay.
Not sure where you're getting "15% minimum goes to eBay". eBay charges 12.9% for coins (7% if the sale is over $7500). If you have a store, that rate is 8.8% up to $4000 and 2.35% on anything above that.
Just sayin'.
BTW, which states charge 15% for sales tax? I looked, couldn't find any.
Not only that, it is untrue that they are always applying sales tax whether it is due or not.
Adding county and municipal taxes brings it up in many parts of the country. Big cities especially. That seems to be where most buyers live.
Admittedly never sold anything to Alaska or Delaware. But never bought or sold anything on eBay so far since the rule changes that was not taxed.
You are lucky to pay lower eBay fees. Ours were 15-22% for 2022, when fees figured on the entire transaction amount inclusive of the shipping and tax amounts. We are not a big seller or a store.
The mistake unknowledgeable sellers make on ebay is to "let em rip", ie auction them without a good reserve. Personally think buy it nows with offers makes a lot of sense, especially with excellent pictures. A lot of the cc Morgans have lost money recently, but are still worth good money, you can check PCGS coinfacts on recent auction records. Those are worth enough that a cac submission may be advisable and they often make offers if they sticker if interested.
@Custerlost said:
It may be appropriate to re-up this post due to recent tax reporting changes. Apologies for raising a post from the dead, but just sayin…
What I have noticed about eBay is that sales taxes are tacked on by their platform regardless of whether numismatic and/or bullion purchases are exempt in the buyer’s state, city, or county. So as much as 15% is factored out of what the seller will receive. Another 15% minimum goes to eBay.
eBay also charges sales tax and their fees against the cost of the postage (which in the case of USPS is illegal because the federal government is exempt from state and local taxes). So there goes another percent or two the seller does not receive.
There is the problem of returns, and even worse, the old switcheroo where the buyer substitutes a lesser or damaged item, and returns the item for credit. Further, buyers falsely claim items are non-delivered or stolen unless you go to extremes of signature requirement and heaps of insurance.
If you have items that are very desired and one of a kind, this might not deter a buyer, but where everybody and their uncle is selling the same thing, the buyer goes for the cheapest. That is human nature. But I cannot help but think the seller is taking a 33% hit on eBay vs. a person to person sale at a coin show.
Selling to a dealer likely also would result in a similar 33% hit, so eBay is not out of line that way, and offers the seller a convenience. But eBay can suck your money back as long as a year after the sale, whereas a dealer will not do that. It can be years longer than that on claw backs if your buyer is using dirty money to purchase your coins.
Finally, you are likely exempt from collecting and reporting taxes on sales under South Dakota v Wayfair unless you are dealing in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per state. Not so through eBay, as all such marketplace facilitators now manditorially collect your tax ID numbers and send out 1099’s as of January 1, 2023. You probably need a business license and will have to file quarterly tax reports with your state and locality to be totally legit. eBay and the states have been, and will be, subject to data breaches.
As has been said elsewhere, your personal and business tax situation has not changed, only the privacy aspects of it have changed. Your deals through eBay are very public.
I do not know if Heritage and the others are considered marketplace facilitators like eBay, but perhaps they are. Someone better versed in their practices may wish to comment.
Almost none of what you wrote is factually accurate. Your comments on fees, sales tax mechanics and the rate of problems are all way off base.
But feel free not to sell eBay - less competition for the rest of us.
@Custerlost said:
Adding county and municipal taxes brings it up in many parts of the country. Big cities especially.
Agreed. Adding county and municipal taxes will increase the amount paid. Where in the US is that 15%?
From The Tax Foundation:
The five states with the highest average combined state and local sales tax rates are Louisiana (9.55 percent), Tennessee (9.547 percent), Arkansas (9.48 percent), Washington (9.29 percent), and Alabama (9.22 percent).
@Custerlost said:
Adding county and municipal taxes brings it up in many parts of the country. Big cities especially.
Agreed. Adding county and municipal taxes will increase the amount paid. Where in the US is that 15%?
From The Tax Foundation:
The five states with the highest average combined state and local sales tax rates are Louisiana (9.55 percent), Tennessee (9.547 percent), Arkansas (9.48 percent), Washington (9.29 percent), and Alabama (9.22 percent).
@MFeld said:
Based on his post you quoted, it sounds like the 15-22% might include eBay fees, shipping and sales tax. If not, it doesn’t make any sense.
Don't know what he meant but he said:
"Ours were 15-22% for 2022, when fees figured on the entire transaction amount inclusive of the shipping and tax amounts.
And he's right- fess are figured on entire transaction amount inclusive of the shipping and tax.
Chicago has city and county sales taxes in addition to state. Over 10% sales tax when you go to an in person auction there. Been there, done that. Auctioneer added a 25% buyers fee to the hammer. You gotta have a mathematical genius with you before raising your hand.
Hotel and rental car taxes higher that that (da Bears need a new stadium).
@Custerlost said:
Chicago has city and county sales taxes in addition to state. Over 10% sales tax when you go to an in person auction there. Been there, done that. Auctioneer added a 25% buyers fee to the hammer. You gotta have a mathematical genius with you before raising your hand.
Hotel and rental car taxes higher that that (da Bears need a new stadium).
What does any of that have to do with your statement (copied below) about 15-22% eBay fees?
“ You are lucky to pay lower eBay fees. Ours were 15-22% for 2022, when fees figured on the entire transaction amount inclusive of the shipping and tax amounts. We are not a big seller or a store.”
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@Custerlost said:
What I have noticed about eBay is that sales taxes are tacked on by their platform regardless of whether numismatic and/or bullion purchases are exempt in the buyer’s state, city, or county. So as much as 15% is factored out of what the seller will receive.
@MasonG said:
BTW, which states charge 15% for sales tax? I looked, couldn't find any.
@Custerlost said:
Adding county and municipal taxes brings it up in many parts of the country. Big cities especially.
@MasonG said:
Agreed. Adding county and municipal taxes will increase the amount paid. Where in the US is that 15%?
@Custerlost said:
Chicago has city and county sales taxes in addition to state. Over 10% sales tax when you go to an in person auction there.
@Custerlost said:
What I have noticed about eBay is that sales taxes are tacked on by their platform regardless of whether numismatic and/or bullion purchases are exempt in the buyer’s state, city, or county. So as much as 15% is factored out of what the seller will receive.
@MasonG said:
BTW, which states charge 15% for sales tax? I looked, couldn't find any.
@Custerlost said:
Adding county and municipal taxes brings it up in many parts of the country. Big cities especially.
@MasonG said:
Agreed. Adding county and municipal taxes will increase the amount paid. Where in the US is that 15%?
@Custerlost said:
Chicago has city and county sales taxes in addition to state. Over 10% sales tax when you go to an in person auction there.
Over 10% is not 15%. Just sayin'.
And that was said about “an in person auction there”, not an eBay transaction.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Sometimes this place just gets to be too, too much.
The OP asked a simple question about an alternative to selling his coins on eBay and it seems he was given a good answer with the BST or Heritage Auctions choices. Why do so many have to be experts about everything and decide to counsel the OP on his tax liability and the implications of his choices?? WOW!!!
@Custerlost said:
Adding county and municipal taxes brings it up in many parts of the country. Big cities especially.
Agreed. Adding county and municipal taxes will increase the amount paid. Where in the US is that 15%?
From The Tax Foundation:
The five states with the highest average combined state and local sales tax rates are Louisiana (9.55 percent), Tennessee (9.547 percent), Arkansas (9.48 percent), Washington (9.29 percent), and Alabama (9.22 percent).
@Custerlost said:
Ours were 15-22% for 2022, when fees figured on the entire transaction amount inclusive of the shipping and tax amounts.
eBay fees for non-store sellers is 12.9% for coins (7% if the sale is over $7500). Not sure where you're getting 15-22%.
When eBay shows you total cost, it includes the shipping if you bought it through eBay. That can make the number increase substantially, especially if you sell inexpensive items. I pay 8% eBay fees. But if I sell a $10 item and ship it via 1st class package for $3.86, eBay will show my total fees paid as 49.6% [$1.10 in eBay fees + $3.86 in shipping]. If I sell a $100 item and ship it the same way, eBay will show my fees paid as 12.6% [$8.30 in eBay fees + $3.86 in shipping. And, lastly, if I sell $1000 coin and ship the same way as only 8.4%. It is very deceptive to look at that number.
@Maywood said:
Sometimes this place just gets to be too, too much.
The OP asked a simple question about an alternative to selling his coins on eBay and it seems he was given a good answer with the BST or Heritage Auctions choices. Why do so many have to be experts about everything and decide to counsel the OP on his tax liability and the implications of his choices?? WOW!!!
Conversations go where they go. Haven't you ever been sitting around the table with family and have someone mention buying a new purse at a discount store and 10 minutes later you are arguing about Chinese slave labor or something similar?
This is not a Q&A forum. It is a social community of people with a similar hobby. We chat.
@jmlanzaf said:
When eBay shows you total cost, it includes the shipping if you bought it through eBay. That can make the number increase substantially, especially if you sell inexpensive items.
Yes, that's so. Still, it's inaccurate to claim that number to be "eBay fees".
@jmlanzaf said:
When eBay shows you total cost, it includes the shipping if you bought it through eBay. That can make the number increase substantially, especially if you sell inexpensive items.
Yes, that's so. Still, it's inaccurate to claim that number to be "eBay fees".
True. But I blame eBay for their presentation. They are showing total cost of selling. When expressed as a percent, it is no surprise that it confuses people.
@jmlanzaf said:
When eBay shows you total cost, it includes the shipping if you bought it through eBay. That can make the number increase substantially, especially if you sell inexpensive items.
Yes, that's so. Still, it's inaccurate to claim that number to be "eBay fees".
P.S. On my stamp username, I sell a lot of inexpensive items. My eBay fees are still 8% but it shows my total cost as 25%. [Those damn $1.99 covers! LOL]
@jmlanzaf said:
When eBay shows you total cost, it includes the shipping if you bought it through eBay. That can make the number increase substantially, especially if you sell inexpensive items.
Yes, that's so. Still, it's inaccurate to claim that number to be "eBay fees".
True. But I blame eBay for their presentation. They are showing total cost of selling. When expressed as a percent, it is no surprise that it confuses people.
To be fair, the person who wrote this:
"You probably need a business license and will have to file quarterly tax reports with your state and locality to be totally legit"
@Cougar1978 said:
Shop them around bourse at a show.
Be aware that a dealer's offer may only be good for as long as you are at his table. If you come back to that dealer two hours later after showing your coin to fifty other dealers, he may offer you a lower price.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
@Maywood said:
Sometimes this place just gets to be too, too much.
The OP asked a simple question about an alternative to selling his coins on eBay and it seems he was given a good answer with the BST or Heritage Auctions choices. Why do so many have to be experts about everything and decide to counsel the OP on his tax liability and the implications of his choices?? WOW!!!
Yeah, that was an odd direction. I understand taxes just fine. Not sure what started that path. Thanks for commenting though. I decided to hold them for a while longer, but BST was where I placed a couple of them.
I have a few and am waiting for the Central States show. Closest big show to my house, half hour away. You have enough to hop on a plane and pay for a room. You push your coins over the table and get a check pushed back.
Comments
Doesn't matter. Sales tax is (largely) due depending on what taxes are due in the buyer's jurisdiction. If there is a small enough amount of business done in that state, it may not require the seller to collect sales tax, but generally the buyer is required to pay "Use tax" in lieu of the foregone sales tax. Some people even do.
Note that if you sell through eBay, Heritage, or Great Collections then it is their sales that determine whether it is large enough to collect tax.
Which is why it's so frickin' annoying when I get an expensive coin from a dealer and NO RECEIPT. The auction details better be enough for the IRS because that's all I have to prove my cost basis. So please, don't bother putting your business card in there if you're not going to include A FOOKIN RECEIPT. For crying out loud...
Receipt = legal contract and transfer of ownership. First question my old law professor threw at us...
Ian at GC is good people in my experience
100% positive transactions with SurfinxHI, bigole, 1madman, collectorcoins, proofmorgan, Luke Marshall, silver pop, golden egg, point five zero,coin22lover, alohagary, blaircountycoin,joebb21
Of course you only need to prove your basis if you're audited. I have to think that it would work, but don't you have a canceled check, stub, credit card statement, something to show that you were the one who paid for the auction winnings?
GC is the way to go if you are new to the forum.
The government is incapable of ever managing the economy. That is why communism collapsed. It is now socialism’s turn - Martin Armstrong
What a strange series of conversations.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
This site has a Testing Forum where you can practice posting pictures and stuff
While rules for the BST have been eroding, posting a listing for each is out.
Post your list at the top and In The Same text, post all the pictures
The forum software limits width, so stack the obverse and reverse images instead of side by side
While there are those that don’t care, many like coin shots AND slab shots. (I like seeing both)
Are these orders by phone with nothing else? Is there no online order confirmation or email? I realize it may be easier to file away a piece of paper, but almost always there's something available. And if not, make a note of the date and the check number/credit card to have a record. Or email the dealer and ask for them to write up something quick.
It may be appropriate to re-up this post due to recent tax reporting changes. Apologies for raising a post from the dead, but just sayin…
What I have noticed about eBay is that sales taxes are tacked on by their platform regardless of whether numismatic and/or bullion purchases are exempt in the buyer’s state, city, or county. So as much as 15% is factored out of what the seller will receive. Another 15% minimum goes to eBay.
eBay also charges sales tax and their fees against the cost of the postage (which in the case of USPS is illegal because the federal government is exempt from state and local taxes). So there goes another percent or two the seller does not receive.
There is the problem of returns, and even worse, the old switcheroo where the buyer substitutes a lesser or damaged item, and returns the item for credit. Further, buyers falsely claim items are non-delivered or stolen unless you go to extremes of signature requirement and heaps of insurance.
If you have items that are very desired and one of a kind, this might not deter a buyer, but where everybody and their uncle is selling the same thing, the buyer goes for the cheapest. That is human nature. But I cannot help but think the seller is taking a 33% hit on eBay vs. a person to person sale at a coin show.
Selling to a dealer likely also would result in a similar 33% hit, so eBay is not out of line that way, and offers the seller a convenience. But eBay can suck your money back as long as a year after the sale, whereas a dealer will not do that. It can be years longer than that on claw backs if your buyer is using dirty money to purchase your coins.
Finally, you are likely exempt from collecting and reporting taxes on sales under South Dakota v Wayfair unless you are dealing in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per state. Not so through eBay, as all such marketplace facilitators now manditorially collect your tax ID numbers and send out 1099’s as of January 1, 2023. You probably need a business license and will have to file quarterly tax reports with your state and locality to be totally legit. eBay and the states have been, and will be, subject to data breaches.
As has been said elsewhere, your personal and business tax situation has not changed, only the privacy aspects of it have changed. Your deals through eBay are very public.
I do not know if Heritage and the others are considered marketplace facilitators like eBay, but perhaps they are. Someone better versed in their practices may wish to comment.
Not sure where you're getting "15% minimum goes to eBay". eBay charges 12.9% for coins (7% if the sale is over $7500). If you have a store, that rate is 8.8% up to $4000 and 2.35% on anything above that.
Just sayin'.
BTW, which states charge 15% for sales tax? I looked, couldn't find any.
Not only that, it is untrue that they are always applying sales tax whether it is due or not.
You could also consign with Northern Nevada Coin. They specialize in CC coins.
Adding county and municipal taxes brings it up in many parts of the country. Big cities especially. That seems to be where most buyers live.
Admittedly never sold anything to Alaska or Delaware. But never bought or sold anything on eBay so far since the rule changes that was not taxed.
You are lucky to pay lower eBay fees. Ours were 15-22% for 2022, when fees figured on the entire transaction amount inclusive of the shipping and tax amounts. We are not a big seller or a store.
The mistake unknowledgeable sellers make on ebay is to "let em rip", ie auction them without a good reserve. Personally think buy it nows with offers makes a lot of sense, especially with excellent pictures. A lot of the cc Morgans have lost money recently, but are still worth good money, you can check PCGS coinfacts on recent auction records. Those are worth enough that a cac submission may be advisable and they often make offers if they sticker if interested.
Almost none of what you wrote is factually accurate. Your comments on fees, sales tax mechanics and the rate of problems are all way off base.
But feel free not to sell eBay - less competition for the rest of us.
Agreed. Adding county and municipal taxes will increase the amount paid. Where in the US is that 15%?
From The Tax Foundation:
The five states with the highest average combined state and local sales tax rates are Louisiana (9.55 percent), Tennessee (9.547 percent), Arkansas (9.48 percent), Washington (9.29 percent), and Alabama (9.22 percent).
https://taxfoundation.org/2022-sales-taxes/
eBay fees for non-store sellers is 12.9% for coins (7% if the sale is over $7500). Not sure where you're getting 15-22%.
https://www.northeastcoin.com/selling.jsp?pageAction=new
Based on his post you quoted, it sounds like the 15-22% might include eBay fees, shipping and sales tax. If not, it doesn’t make any sense.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Don't know what he meant but he said:
"Ours were 15-22% for 2022, when fees figured on the entire transaction amount inclusive of the shipping and tax amounts.
And he's right- fess are figured on entire transaction amount inclusive of the shipping and tax.
Chicago has city and county sales taxes in addition to state. Over 10% sales tax when you go to an in person auction there. Been there, done that. Auctioneer added a 25% buyers fee to the hammer. You gotta have a mathematical genius with you before raising your hand.
Hotel and rental car taxes higher that that (da Bears need a new stadium).
What does any of that have to do with your statement (copied below) about 15-22% eBay fees?
“ You are lucky to pay lower eBay fees. Ours were 15-22% for 2022, when fees figured on the entire transaction amount inclusive of the shipping and tax amounts. We are not a big seller or a store.”
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Over 10% is not 15%. Just sayin'.
And that was said about “an in person auction there”, not an eBay transaction.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Sometimes this place just gets to be too, too much.
The OP asked a simple question about an alternative to selling his coins on eBay and it seems he was given a good answer with the BST or Heritage Auctions choices. Why do so many have to be experts about everything and decide to counsel the OP on his tax liability and the implications of his choices?? WOW!!!
When eBay shows you total cost, it includes the shipping if you bought it through eBay. That can make the number increase substantially, especially if you sell inexpensive items. I pay 8% eBay fees. But if I sell a $10 item and ship it via 1st class package for $3.86, eBay will show my total fees paid as 49.6% [$1.10 in eBay fees + $3.86 in shipping]. If I sell a $100 item and ship it the same way, eBay will show my fees paid as 12.6% [$8.30 in eBay fees + $3.86 in shipping. And, lastly, if I sell $1000 coin and ship the same way as only 8.4%. It is very deceptive to look at that number.
Conversations go where they go. Haven't you ever been sitting around the table with family and have someone mention buying a new purse at a discount store and 10 minutes later you are arguing about Chinese slave labor or something similar?
This is not a Q&A forum. It is a social community of people with a similar hobby. We chat.
Yes, that's so. Still, it's inaccurate to claim that number to be "eBay fees".
True. But I blame eBay for their presentation. They are showing total cost of selling. When expressed as a percent, it is no surprise that it confuses people.
P.S. On my stamp username, I sell a lot of inexpensive items. My eBay fees are still 8% but it shows my total cost as 25%. [Those damn $1.99 covers! LOL]
To be fair, the person who wrote this:
"You probably need a business license and will have to file quarterly tax reports with your state and locality to be totally legit"
about selling on eBay does seem to be confused.
Washington State has no sales tax on coins.
Shop them around bourse at a show.
Be aware that a dealer's offer may only be good for as long as you are at his table. If you come back to that dealer two hours later after showing your coin to fifty other dealers, he may offer you a lower price.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Thanks for all of the feedback. I was away from about October till now. I appreciate the advice.
Mine too. I actually think we covered that undergrad, but most people don't look at a receipt like that.
Yeah, that was an odd direction. I understand taxes just fine. Not sure what started that path. Thanks for commenting though. I decided to hold them for a while longer, but BST was where I placed a couple of them.
I have a few and am waiting for the Central States show. Closest big show to my house, half hour away. You have enough to hop on a plane and pay for a room. You push your coins over the table and get a check pushed back.