merchanting-msg - 6/29/07
Merchanting in the SCA. Why various SCA merchants merchant. How to get started. Suggestions on merchanting.
NOTE: See also the files: taverns-msg, tokens-msg, demos-msg, fundraising-msg, largess-ideas-msg, hotel-events-msg, SCA-Demos-art, merch-cloth-lst, Med-Merchants-CA, coins-msg.
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From: meg at tinhat.stonemarche.org (meg)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Would it be okay to...
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 94 22:05:25 EDT
Organization: Stonemarche Network Co-op
zkessin at world.std.com (Zach) writes:
> dmeehan at HUEY.CSUN.EDU (Dan Meehan) writes:
>
> >Merchants will hire bards to singingly entice patrons to their booths
> >(Hmmm - not a bad idea, if the price is right. I'll have to advertise
> >my availability!)
> I would guess that this is very period. Modern Shops will have a radio
> on a lot of the time, why not have merchents hire a few bards to sit
> in a both and sing or play the harp (Esp If you are selling Harps and
> such) or Hire a herald to go out and advertise your stuff.
>
> Guiliam of Carolingia
> zkessin at cs.brandeis.edu
Megan here...
I usually hire musicians to play outside my shop at Pennsic. They get
paid a cold beverage and some couple of dollars in their hat, to
encourage listeners to contribute as well. It works well for me...as the
audience stands appreciating the music, they gaze upon my wares, and are
inspired to make purchases. We have a nice shade tree, and a bench, and a
flower garden..a most agreeable site.
Megan
==
In 1994: Linda Anfuso non moritur cujus fama vivat
In the Current Middle Ages: Megan ni Laine de Belle Rive
In the SCA, Inc: sustaining member # 33644
YYY YYY
meg at tinhat.stonemarche.org | YYYYY |
|____n____|
From: UDSD073 at DSIBM.OKLADOT.STATE.OK.US (Mike Andrews)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Merchanting in the SCA...
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 10:25
Organization: The University of Oklahoma (USA)
In article <8a6_9410150451 at blkcat.fidonet.org>,
Bruce.Tomlin at f555.n387.z1.fidonet.org (Bruce Tomlin) writes:
>Or if you're selling expensive stuff, in which case you might want to include
>the tax in the price so that you don't have to waste time computing it.
Bad Idea in Oklahoma: state law explicitly prohibits this.
You _can_ post the before-tax price, tax (make sure you
include any county and/or city sales taxes, as well as the
state sales tax), and the total.
--
Michael Fenwick of Fotheringhay, O.L. (Mike Andrews) Namron, Ansteorra
From: Bruce.Tomlin at f555.n387.z1.fidonet.org (Bruce Tomlin)
Date: 14 Oct 94 10:04:00 -0500
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Merchanting in the SCA...
Organization: Fidonet: Bjornsborg, Ansteorra [210-646-6677 HST/V32T/VFC/V34]
> From: kate at ds9.lesn.lehigh.edu (Kate Jones)
> I have a question: what is necessary for
> one to become a merchant at an SCA event?
Stuff to sell, and preferably a table to put it on and a blanket to cover it
with when you are away for court or feast or the privy or whatever (be sure
to put any EXPENSIVE stuff locked away in your vehicle or something if you
can't watch it). And a pile of dollar bills for change.
Just ask at the troll on the way in where they are putting the merchants, so
as to keep them all in one place where you don't have to worry about being
overlooked.
Most events will not charge you for merchanting, but the largest ones might
charge a merchanting fee.
> Would I need (I imagine) to
> somehow get set up with a tax number and all that happiness?
Well, since in a way it's just a garage sale (which is where much merchanting
stuff probably comes from in the first place), I wouldn't bother unless it
was a BIG event (I don't mean Crown Tourney, I mean like Pennsic) where they
require you to have it.
Or if you're selling expensive stuff, in which case you might want to include
the tax in the price so that you don't have to waste time computing it.
Also, you need it if you are (gasp!) taking plastic.
this is from observation.
Elwyn
---------
Fidonet: Bruce Tomlin 1:387/555
Internet: Bruce.Tomlin at f555.n387.z1.fidonet.org
From: Charly.The.Bastard at f1077.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Charly The Bastard)
Date: 15 Oct 94 17:23:00 -0500
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Merchanting in the SCA...
Organization: Fidonet: In the distance...Vanishing Point
Yep, first you're gonna need a tax number from your home state and an account
from every state that you plan to merchant in for sales taxes. next, you're
gonna need stuff to sell at the events. third, you're gonna need a sense of
humor, a LARGE one, for when the total newbie comes over to your shop with a
competitor's catalog and boldly whines 'I sure like this five foot
flame-bladed greatsword, but $300 is too high. Can you make me one for about
$50?' (true story, swear to Bhob) Of course, a large reliable truck to carry
the three tons of gear is also a plus, but not required.
---------
Fidonet: Charly The Bastard 1:147/1077
Internet: Charly.The.Bastard at f1077.n147.z1.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: rzex60 at email.sps.mot.com (Jay Brandt)
Subject: Re: Merchanting in the SCA...
Organization: The Polyhedron Group
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 20:41:32 GMT
In article <KATE.94Oct13144800 at ds9.lesn.lehigh.edu>,
kate at ds9.lesn.lehigh.edu (Kate Jones) wrote:
>
> Unto the good gentles of the Rialto, my greetings.
>
> I've been reading the Rialto for quite a while now, and have just recently
> gotten up the motivation to post. I have a question: what is necessary for
> one to become a merchant at an SCA event? Would I need (I imagine) to
> somehow get set up with a tax number and all that happiness? I know how to
> arrange things at an event and all that, I just need to know what red-tape
> hoops I have to jump through.
>
> Posts to the group or direct replies are welcome. Thank you all!
Well, let's see...
I was a founding member of the An Tir Merchants Guild, and I've been a
merchant at more events than I care to count over a number of years, in
three different Kingdoms (An Tir, West, and Ansteorra), selling the
furniture that I design and make. I have also recently been through several
seminars for small businesses held by the Texas Comptroller's office, which
in my state handles matters like sales tax collection. While in the
seminars I made a point of asking questions pertaining to doing business as
an SCA merchant. So I guess I'm as qualified as anyone else to reply.
First, I'll have to disagree with the good gentle who equated SCA
Merchanting to a garage sale, and that as such you'd be immune from sales
tax laws. Even a garage sale has limits placed upon it in many
jurisdictions. For example, in some cities or counties a family can only
have one or two garage sales a year. (I lived in one town where 'one garage
sale per year at most' was the law!) Garage sales are, by their nature, a
very occasional thing, not done in a manner that establishes a regular
business practice. By definition, I would hope that a successful SCA
merchant would be just the opposite, trying quite hard to establish
identity and credibility as a good person/shop to do business with. As an
SCA Merchant, I'd not want to try to argue that I was exempt from taxation
if some mundane official started asking around for permits.
Here's my advice and experience in the matter:
I strongly believe that you should obey all appropriate mundane laws
regarding retail sales. If your county/state/country requires a business
license or sales tax permit, you should obtain one and complete the
obligatory reporting and paperwork as required. Same goes for permits for
sale or handling of food and/or liquor. If you are selling stuff at an SCA
event, you can be -very- visible, and any SCA merchant is still bound by
whatever mundane laws are in force in the jurisdiction they will be selling
at. If -you- are violating local laws, and you get caught, it can look very
bad for the other members of the SCA in your area.
It is important also to note that the laws regarding the site of sale are
just as important as the laws regarding your base of operations. For
example, if a person in Oregon, which has no sales tax, sells merchandise
in California, which has one, they -should- collect and report California
sales tax for merchandise sold at that event, or for sales resulting from
that 'point of retail presence'. Different cities and counties may have
different sales tax rates. Technically, the sales tax rate in effect at the
place where they contacted you is the one to use for a given sale, even if
the sale is delayed, unless they place or receive the order at yet another
'point of retail presence'. Sound confusing? It -is-. Still, an effort
should be made to understand and obey the laws regarding retail sales.
Here are some examples: I live in Austin, TX. If I set up shop at an event
inthe nearby town of Round Rock, sales at that event are done at that
city's tax rate. If someone calls me after the event, and says they saw a
chest that I had at the Round Rock event, and they want to order one just
like it, to be shipped to them in Dallas, they pay the Round Rock rate.
But if they place that same order, and take delivery in Dallas at an event
where I've set up shop, they pay the Dallas tax rate. And if they contact
me in Austin based on an ad or word-of mouth, and they don't mention a
specific event site, and it is to be shipped to a town where I have -not-
set up shop as a merchant, they pay the Austin tax rate. That series of
cases is probably the worst it gets, but they give you an idea of the
complexity that can be involved.
There are, incidentally, advantages to following the business licensing and
sales tax rules. Anything you purchase -for resale- is exempt from sales
tax when you buy it, provided you are a licensed business. (Though this
does not apply to items kept for your own use, including 'demonstration
models' and 'store display items'). For a merchant/craftsman, you buy raw
materials tax-free and charge sales tax on the finished item's price. For a
merchant/reseller, you buy the finished items tax free, and charge tax on
your resale price.
In most jurisdictions that I am aware of, it is -not- legal to roll the tax
into the price of the item. It must be clearly stated and accounted for
seperately. There is, however, usually no restriction on your making the
price such that when tax is added, it comes out to a convenient round
number. :-) If you allow haggling, and sales tax has to be collected, I'll
advise keeping a good calculator hidden away for calculating the actual
price and tax.
If you take non-cash items in trade or barter, you should define a
realistic fair-market value for the bartered items, and record that as
price or payment. Myself, I'd give a receipt for that fair market value,
and keep a copy with my sales records. It's a royal pain, but less of one
that an auditor could be if anyone ever goes over your books.
That being said, the rest depends a lot on the autocrats of the event you
want to sell at. They should be treated as your hosts, and given the
appropriate courtesy and respect. Some don't care what you do or where you
set up, so long as you don't make a nuisance of yourself. Others may
require a merchant pre-registration, with assigned space on a 'merchants
row' allocated to each merchant. Some events require a 'merchant fee' in
addition to your site fee, or may require/request a percentage of profits
from the sales at that event. I have even seen some events where, before
you could merchant, the wares you would sell, the garb you will wear, and
even the particulars of your pavilion or sales booth must be pre-approved
by a council, for authenticity, quality and other criteria. The range,
unfortunately, is infinite in its possibilities. I have run into all of the
above, just in An Tir! The only way to be -certain- of the conditions is to
check with the autocrats of the event, preferably -well- in advance. They
may even have a specific autocrat in charge of merchant activities. If
there is, check with them and leave the regular autocrat alone.
I hope that this does -not- scare you off from the idea of being an SCA
merchant. Being a merchant is a -very- period activity. When done well, a
merchant's booth or pavilion can add to the ambiance of an event, as well
as providing valuable wares or services. True, most merchants would not be
of noble birth, but there were exceptions to that. If you have a skill or
product that is appropriate to period and others could use, go ahead and
try merchanting.
I have found it to be a rewarding method of practicing a craft. I get to
travel widely, with the profits of my business paying for my Lady's and my
event fees and travel expenses, as well as an occasional new tool or two
for my shop. I get to talk with a -lot- of people about my craft, and get
to demonstrate many aspects of it for whomever drops by my shop at an event
(I often set up a functioning workshop in my booth). And I get the
satisfaction of knowing that my wares are in use all over the knowne world,
making other's experience in the SCA a bit better for the presence of a
fine chest, or a welcome bench, or even of a set of thrones for their
nobility.
Welcome to the Merchant Class. May you find it as rewarding as I have!
> --
> Kate Jones | Rhian the Subtle | [ Insert ]
> kate at ds9.lesn.lehigh.edu | House Cyclonus | [ Humorous Quote ]
> kmj1 at lehigh.edu | East Kingdom | [ Here ]
--
Regards, Jay Brandt --- Austin, Texas, USA --- <rzex60 at email.sps.mot.com>
Motorola, SPS Sector, Advanced Products Research and Development Labs
In the SCA, HLS Jason of Rosaria, JdL, GdS, AoA --------- (Member # 3016)
Owner / Designer / Craftsman ------------------------- Bear Paw Woodworks
From: folo at prairienet.org (F.L. Watkins)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Merchanting in the SCA...
Date: 18 Oct 1994 03:35:53 GMT
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
If you're thinking of merchanting--regularly--in the SCA, keep
these hints in mind:
Make certain you have a steady supply and a certain supplier
Make certain that you are making money (not as simple as it
might seem)
Provide a worthwhile service/merchandise (my prime beef:
shops that look like garage sales, with skiffy
books, non-medieval stuff and junk jewelry; YMMV)
Make certain you have a nice display
Be prepared to do a lot of hard work, and do it because you
love the hobby and want to contribute (there are
easier ways to make a buck, honest)
Work within the legitimate system. Check the laws for doing
business within your locality, pay your taxes and
be honest.
For the record, I have been merchanting (mainly publishing) in the
SCA and other living-history groups for quite some time now.
Yrs, Folo
--
Damin de Folo - F.L.Watkins - folo at prairienet.org
Baron Wurm Wald (MidRealm) - Commander Baldwin's (NWTA)
From: Suze.Hammond at f56.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Suze Hammond)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Merchanting in the SCA...
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 14:21:00 -0800
CTB> From: Charly.The.Bastard at f1077.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Charly The
CTB> Bastard) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
CTB> Yep, first you're gonna need a tax number from your home state and an
CTB> account from every state that you plan to merchant in for sales taxes.
CTB> next, you're gonna need stuff to sell at the events. third, you're
CTB> gonna need a sense of humor, a LARGE one, for when the total newbie
CTB> comes over to your shop with a competitor's catalog and boldly whines
CTB> 'I sure like this five foot flame-bladed great sword, but $300 is too
CTB> high. Can you make me one for about $50?' (true story, swear to Bhob)
CTB> Of course, a large reliable truck to carry the three tons of gear is
CTB> also a plus, but not required. ---------
CTB> Fidonet: Charly The Bastard 1:147/1077
CTB> Internet: Charly.The.Bastard at f1077.n147.z1.fidonet.org
Weelll... there is an easier way to start out, sort of get your feet wet.
That's to make your goods, and sell them through a merchant currently
working the SCA. You, of course, go along and help man the booth, etc.,
learning all the ins and outs of the trade.
BTW, since we're on the subject, what about mail-order between sales tax
states and non sales tax states. If I, in Oregon, sell shields by mail
outside the state, do I have to charge the recipient's local tax and remit
it?
... Moreach NicMhaolain
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: rzex60 at email.sps.mot.com (Jay Brandt)
Subject: Re: Merchanting in the SCA...
Organization: The Polyhedron Group
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 1994 19:00:37 GMT
In article <782899240.AA02117 at jina.rain.com>,
Suze.Hammond at f56.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Suze Hammond) wrote:
> Weelll... there is an easier way to start out, sort of get your feet wet.
> That's to make your goods, and sell them through a merchant currently
> working the SCA. You, of course, go along and help man the booth, etc.,
> learning all the ins and outs of the trade.
A good suggestion, and quite period. Apprenticeship to a merchant is an
ideal way to learn to become a merchant yourself, supposing you are in an
area large enough to have established merchants in need of more help.
> BTW, since we're on the subject, what about mail-order between sales tax
> states and non sales tax states. If I, in Oregon, sell shields by mail
> outside the state, do I have to charge the recipient's local tax and remit
> it?
An unqualified YES.
I asked that specific type of quesiton to representatives of the Texas
Comptrollers office at a recent small business sales tax seminar, and they
were quite clear that ALL sales within a tax jurisdiction are subject to
sales tax, unless they are sold to a business with an appropriate sales and
use tax permit for resale later, or are being sold to a tax exempt
organization, such as a church, with appropriate paperwork to prove
exemption. It does not matter if the seller is in a state which does not
charge sales tax. If they take delivery in a tax jurisdiction, the tax
needs to be collected.
Now, if they come to you in Oregon, and receive the shields from you within
Oregon's borders, there is no tax to pay. They get the benefit of Oregon's
lack of a sales tax. (Sigh. It was -so- much simpler when I was selling in
Oregon.)
Incidentally, in many jurisdictions, a 501 C(3) tax-exempt organization,
such as the SCA, *IS* exempt from paying sales tax on items purchased for
use by the group. The necessary paperwork must be filed by the group, and
the merchandise must be for group use and not an individual. I'm currently
investigating this possibility for some regalia I'm bidding on construction
of in Ansteorra. It might save the Kingdom a few bucks if we can do it that
way.
--
Regards, Jay Brandt --- Austin, Texas, USA --- <rzex60 at email.sps.mot.com>
In the SCA, HLS Jason of Rosaria, JdL, GdS, AoA --------- (Member # 3016)
Owner / Designer / Craftsman ------------------------- Bear Paw Woodworks