Pretty Sad People of MAAST

[aceer15]

I wasn't at the frag swap and am fairly new to the forum. But that doesn't mean I don't know how to treat people.

If a member of the forum wants to sell coral; so be it, it's their prerogative to do so. What does it matter to you what they are doing in their free time within a hobby?

Pushing them out of the forum by threatening potential jail time is a bit ridiculous don't you think? It's a freakin hobby people, you enjoy it how you wish and let others enjoy it how they wish.

Their tax situation isn't really any of your business; and if your not making over $600 on a single payable transaction and are not an established business you don't have to report ANY taxes because that money is not tracked by the government!

It's called freelance and you could consider selling coral freelance as long as it's not your only source of income.

To all the power hungry people out there just remember that it's a hobby; if you feel the need to threaten someone to jail over fish and coral: Here's a great link for you, make sure to check it out; you can find lots of good information within it for someone like yourself.

Grow up and get a life people.

[aquasport24]

This sounds like other seller don't want competition...lol...

[Dean]

I guess I missed something.

- Dean

[aceer15]

I guess I missed something.

- Dean

I think it was meant to be that way


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[Bill S]

Their tax situation isn't really any of your business; and if your not making over $600 on a single payable transaction and are not an established business you don't have to report ANY taxes because that money is not tracked by the government!

It's called freelance and you could consider selling coral freelance as long as it's not your only source of income.

I'm sorry, but you are grossly mistaken. As a business owner who has just completed his taxes, I can tell you that you are required to report ALL income, not just 1099s. And there is no $600 level for being in business, or not being in business. I reported over $25,000 in income that was not on 1099s. In any case, NONE of the above has anything to do with what happened.

Please don't believe everything you read on the internet, and please don't believe one-sided conversations. Since I'm the subject of this, I can tell you with certainty, no one was threatened in any way, shape or form. Reminds me of the kid's game, "Whisper down the lane". "Jail time". Seriously, LOL. Someone has a persecution complex. The PMs will allegedly by posted, and as long as they are posted in their entirety (which is a breach of MAAST's Terms of Use), you will see that this is the case.

The "discussion" took this form: At some point, people realize that hobbies can and do progress beyond a hobby to businesses. In this hobby, this happens quite frequently. Many/most of our local MAAST Sponsors started as local hobbyists. As a prior member of the Board, I can tell you that this discussion is always ongoing, touchy, and fluid. Almost all of the folks that make this transition process do so gracefully. There's a long history: Louis with Elegant Reef, Ace (aka Hobogato), Erik Harrison, Rob and Jack with Mr. Cob's Corals, Nick at Reeffreaks, etc. There are many more.

See, these Sponsors pay for the privilege of advertising with MAAST, and pay a higher price to exhibit than do "Members". In addition, they charge and pay SALES TAX on each transaction. The LFS business is a very, very difficult business. Ask an owner. Success rates are very low. When a hobbyist competes with them, they compete on an unlevel playing field. When you talk to Sponsors (and I did a LOT of this as a Board Member previously), it's a big issue with them. MAAST has to protect their Sponsors.

Finally: I really don't know the "other" person - so there's nothing personal in this. I've had a freshwater tank for the last 3 years, and I'm only recently back in SW, and recently re-involved with MAAST. But, everyone know that I'm a bit outspoken.

And yes, "it's just a freakin' fish club"

[Sherita]

Oh Bill, don't be so paranoid. Not every conversation is about you.

And not everyone wants to read one of your novels.

And the pm's are posted, just as promised. In their entirety.

Knock yourself out.

[aceer15]

^^^^ haha awesome


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[allan]

Oh Bill, don't be so paranoid. Not every conversation is about you.

And not everyone wants to read one of your novels.

And the pm's are posted, just as promised. In their entirety.

Knock yourself out.

Not sure how the BoD will weigh in on this, it didn't get posted on MAAST, and we don't moderate off the site.

[aceer15]

I'm sorry, but you are grossly mistaken. As a business owner who has just completed his taxes, I can tell you that you are required to report ALL income, not just 1099s. And there is no $600 level for being in business, or not being in business. I reported over $25,000 in income that was not on 1099s.

I'm a freelance web developer and google Adwords qualified individual with a few business of my own. I'll just keep being grossly mistaken 😉


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[allan]

Enough.

This post originated as an attack on the "sad people of MAAST", and the discussion isn't going any better or getting any more intelligent.

If you're unhappy with the "sad people", walk away. This discussion isn't providing any worthwhile content to MAAST, and serves as nothing more than a distraction.

Let's get back to reefing and put this in our rear view mirror.