So you want to go pro #19: Did I Mention Home Sales are Great ?

sounds a little crazy . dealing with customers,well Lets put it this way I’ll carry the premise one step further. How about they don’t show up at your house and still send you money.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Sorry Jim, but I like to share my knowledge and experiences with my customers as mentioned previously. Yesterday, that guy took a half hour tour of my shop … He’ll be back!

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)

You da whiz Odie. You, no doubt do great work to keep the repeat’s coming back. Maybe it will be even better now…hope so for your sake
g

-- Gary, DeKalb Texas only 4 miles from the mill

I agree with you 100 percent odie. If a customer feels he is getting a discount by you paying the sales tax for him, so much the better, and you don’t need to pay for the space at a show or whatever.

-- Berta in NC

I’m with you Odie, I like interacting with people, particularly those that are interested in my work.

-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

Well done Odie. Must try it sometime.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Here’s some sidelights on “home” business.
(Sorry, Odie, don’t mean to hijack the thread.)
The IRS has some pretty complicated rules for businesses operated from one’s home, and local governments often want to get into that act, too.
My wife and I have been conducting business from our home for many years, but sometimes we’ve had to do back flips through flaming hoops to avoid legal and financial problems.
Reporting our income gets to be pretty complicated because every business cost needs to be considered unless one is willing to pay taxes on too much money. The up-side to that is that one’s actual net profit is understood and pricing to the clientelle can be more realistically engineered. The real down-side is the record keeping and reporting burden.
Local governments sometimes frown on businesses in private homes because they might conflict with zoning or some other rules. They also have the attitude that those businesses don’t help the community because they’re invisible. We’ve had our business in this house since before zoning was in effect, so we’re “grandfathered” as they say, but the rules have required that we apply for special non-conformance permits and have had to fight off challenges to that status a couple of times.
Please be careful. Going ahead with business in your home might be OK where you are, but assume nothing. Make sure of the legal requirements and don’t just “do it under the table”. Side stepping laws can have a painful eventuality!
It would be sad to hear of a LumberJock who got ‘bit’ from one of those complications.

-- The best things in life aren't THINGS.

sounds like good customer service to me! great tip and info. I agree that making it easier on the customer, and giving them a little ‘bonus’ makes a stronger bond, and a better experience for everyone. in the short, and in the long run.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

WELL SORRY donbee, Have you read #1 through #18 ? A lot of your concerns are addressed. Permits are in place, neighbors are considered, and every penny is tracked.

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)

Odie,
I haven’t, actually, read numbers one through eighteen, but please, don’t take my remarks as criticism, of you or anyone else.
My intent was simply to urge caution to others who do business at home.
I apologize if I came across as negative. I meant nothing of the sort.

Don

-- The best things in life aren't THINGS.

Thanks to Odie and Donbee for pointing out important facts that I will file away for future reference. Glad you both and some constructive dialog going or this LJ would have dived into shallow water head first. Thanks guys!

Roger

-- Badgerman, Tennessee

Update, the person I mentioned that came over to my house has been back. He spent more money thus helping out Dust’n Lint after we are doing so poorly in the shows this year.

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)

Hey Odie this was great
The wife and I are both selling (similar situation) and I found this so informative and absolutely hilarious. I woke the wife up laughing so hard reading it in the other room, and you know what? She doesn’t like being called ‘the wife’ either! Learn something everyday if you pay attention I suppose…
Since she was up now, I poured her some coffee and we both enjoyed it.

Anyhoo, this was great we enjoyed it at every level.
Great job, thanks for your post.

Kirk, Glad you enjoyed. Since my last post here that same customer has been back 3 more times, with yesterday being the last. We’ve collected, from this wonderful guy, about $1200.00 since that last post.

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)

I love A1Jims….............better they dont show up and still send you money.

-- "Good artists borrow, great artists steal”…..Picasso