Next BUSINESS craze, fad or trend

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by GW2

Brilliant Howard! Bravo! You've applied business laws for landscaping businesses to kids trying to make buck.

Ah, I understand why you are having such a problem with understanding the issues. You simply don't understand the issues.

You say 'I' have applied business laws to kids. No, sir, I have not. I simply showed you state law. Law applies business laws to everyone. If you read the law, it does not mention the age of the individual engaged in certain activities. It merely points out what is required for anyone doing so.

[brad]

Originally Posted by GW2

So dude, what's your point? I have never advocated for anyone doing anything illegal. I just said I was people tired of whining about how low rent hacks with an $800 camera cut into their business. Whether or not they pay taxes is really another subject altogether and really changes the subject of my post.

My point is to correct you that even those just doing it once in a while are supposed to be collecting sales tax.

My second point was that you (and those that are whinging) are the ones who made the connection of whining about $800 hacks cutting into your business to the sales tax issue.

I was just clarifying that Howard was correct in the question about collecting sales tax... which you then attacked him for saying it.

As far as I'm concerned, the only people that are truly threatened by Uncle Bobs with cameras are more Uncle Bobs. The market they chase is nothing like mine.... as a matter of fact, a portion of my business comes from people who tried to use an Uncle Bob and got burned... so in a way, they bring me business.

[GW2]

As far as I'm concerned, the only people that are truly threatened by Uncle Bobs with cameras are more Uncle Bobs. The market they chase is nothing like mine.... as a matter of fact, a portion of my business comes from people who tried to use an Uncle Bob and got burned... so in a way, they bring me business.

Great. Then we agree completely and that was my main point. My side point was, and remains, that it has nothing to do with whether or not they charge sales tax and no one like you (or any reputable, quality provider) should be worried about being pushed out of business by virtue of the Uncle Bobs not doing business"the right way".

So, why jump in to support the people you deem as other Uncle Bob's worried about Uncle Bobs, aka the original whine? To argue the minutia of of one point in the argument when you actually agree with the premise? Huh?

[brad]

Because Howard wasn't the one whining. He answered the tax question and then made the comment that there are whiners about that particular topic at all levels.

Then you jumped his case for being a whiner. I was backing him up. Neither he, nor I, whined about the Uncle Bob issue.

And he's right.. I have seen successful photographers use that same whine.. its not because they really aren't successful.. its because I think they are overly paranoid. I've even seen one who by all accounts was making a decent living at photography go as far as starting to turn in photographers that he thought weren't collecting sales tax to the state.... personally, I don't care that much about it.. I don't think you should speed, either, but I'm not about to call the authorities and try and get them to follow you.

[sanmay]

Come on guys why!!!!

[lscottpht]

Originally Posted by stevengwebb

after reading this entire thread i wonder how all this flap about taxes, legitimacy in business, not paying taxes and hacks answers the original question.

+1

[GW2]

Brad,

What tax question? Gimme a break, dude. Anyone who supports the theory that someone is losing business to Uncle Bob because he doesn't charge taxes is a whiner. Howard jumps on here to legitimize the point that if you sell one photo for a penny you should charge sales tax. WTF is the point in that post? Okay, technically I'm wrong. Technically, a kid mowing lawns should charge and pay sales tax. And technically, if they don't, they should be charged and fined. Fine. Whatever.

Ya want to split the hair of never or rarely. So, I'm technically wron g again. Let's then say that it is RARE for a truly successful photographer to whine about Uncle Bobs cutting into their business. And in those rare cases, even you admit this one guy is paranoid. Frankly, if the guy spent as much time working on his business as worrying about others, he'd be more successful. And I bet he's a real peach of a guy that people really like to work with and give referrals to. Any bets? And he thinks he's losing business to Uncle Bobs because they don't pay taxes? Hmmmm. Technically, I'd call that delusional.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by GW2

Brad,

What tax question? Gimme a break, dude. Anyone who supports the theory that someone is losing business to Uncle Bob because he doesn't charge taxes is a whiner. Howard jumps on here to legitimize the point that if you sell one photo for a penny you should charge sales tax. WTF is the point in that post? Okay, technically I'm wrong. Technically, a kid mowing lawns should charge and pay sales tax. And technically, if they don't, they should be charged and fined. Fine. Whatever.

Ya want to split the hair of never or rarely. So, I'm technically wron g again. Let's then say that it is RARE for a truly successful photographer to whine about Uncle Bobs cutting into their business. And in those rare cases, even you admit this one guy is paranoid. Frankly, if the guy spent as much time working on his business as worrying about others, he'd be more successful. And I bet he's a real peach of a guy that people really like to work with and give referrals to. Any bets? And he thinks he's losing business to Uncle Bobs because they don't pay taxes? Hmmmm. Technically, I'd call that delusional.

ok i'll play. i would normally label you as a guy who spends his extra time correcting wikipedia, but you aren't into "technicalities." but...nevermind.

things i like to whine about: people who whine about other people whining.

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by GW2

Brad,

... Howard jumps on here to legitimize the point that if you sell one photo for a penny you should charge sales tax. WTF is the point in that post? Okay, technically I'm wrong. Technically, a kid mowing lawns should charge and pay sales tax. And technically, if they don't, they should be charged and fined. Fine. Whatever.

Responding, with facts, to a post is 'jumping on'?

"WTF is the point?" To provide information for which you had no clue.

"Technically"? No, it's not a technicality, it's a matter of law.

Let's then say that it is RARE for a truly successful photographer to whine about Uncle Bobs cutting into their business. And in those rare cases, even you admit this one guy is paranoid. Frankly, if the guy spent as much time working on his business as worrying about others, he'd be more successful. And I bet he's a real peach of a guy that people really like to work with and give referrals to. Any bets? And he thinks he's losing business to Uncle Bobs because they don't pay taxes? Hmmmm. Technically, I'd call that delusional.

I'm not sure it is so rare. I see it regularly. It doesn't mean they are paranoid, or others have trouble working with them. And, they are successful.

[GW2]

No, it's not a technicality, it's a matter of law.

So, go police the kids in your neighborhood mowing lawns and make sure they charge and pay sales tax, okay?

[Howard Barlow]

Gordon,

Are you this unhappy all the time, or are you just tired from carrying that big chip on your shoulder?

[GW2]

Howard,

I guess lots of people feel their business is threatened by Uncle Bobs and feel the trend will only get worse for 2010. If anyone wants to subscribe to that point of view, it's a free country. And manufacturers are free to use Ashton Kutcher to promote to new and aspiring Bobs to strike terror in the hearts of those who think that way. And if anyone doesn't like my rhetoric, that's okay too.

If pointing out that those $800 kit Bobs shouldn't threaten anyone, I guess I have a chip. If pointing out that worrying about low rent competition is fruitless and unnecessary is considered having a chip, I guess I do. If pointing out that there is a semi-professional class generating low cost products and services exists and while technically required to operate under business law, won't ever be held accountable (and I don't think they pose enough of a threat that any resources should be dedicated to it), is considered having a chip, again, I guess I do. If asserting that it is generally Bobs that are threatened by Bobs, and it is only an excuse to say the threat is because the second Bobs don't pay their taxes, is considered having a chip....

If anyone wants to expend effort or extole efforts chasing every miniscule tax cheat, if that is the real issue, my simple suggestion was to start by prosecuting those close to home. I'm not unhappy and I sleep well at night, unfazed by low rent competition. I stay on top of my game by focusing on what the best are doing and trying to be better. Maybe I shouldn't waste time ripping on others for, what I consider to be, having a pity party. Heaven forbid they focus on improving their business. That would eliminate the need for $800 kit Bobs and we can't have that, now can we?

If what you are telling me is to play nice and never criticize, that it is not welcome here. Okay. I find that the biggest obstacle to success is that everyone wants the easy way and have lots of excuses. Business ain't easy and there are no excuses. But, most people can't handle the truth, really aren't interested in it and choose to be offended by it. They will pay handsomely to be told what they want to hear. Who am I to point it out? I must be a guy with a chip?

Just my 2 cents and worth everything anyone paid for it.

[ronocnikral]

back on topic. i joked in another thread about selective coloring. after watching the bowl games this season, espn is very much into selective coloring. unfortunately, i predict this undesireable fad will continue or grow. so will my patience for photographers "coloring" themselves as creative and different using this technique.