BTW…Don’t look for a suit…They wear every day attire.The reason I know this a friend got busted for several tax violations to include not reporting sales…The guy walked up like any normal joe and bought several high end cars.My friend made a package deal and after the money changed hands he whipped out his badge…
My friend got off on a technicality and the judge was force to dismiss the case with a stern warning…
Now he walks their walk and reports and taxes every sale.
I think an ATM at a train show or any other type of show is just a sign of the times. I personally don’t like to carry large amounts of cash any more at least not when going over state lines without the company of my side arm. As far as charging sales tax etc. in this communist state where they suck every last nickle out of you. You don’t charge sales tax you collect it. It’s my understanding from the State sales tax office that any one who holds a sales resale tax certificate is required to collect 7% sales tax on all “NEW” items sold. If your at a show selling personal, consignment goods, or any other “used” items there is no collection of sales tax involved. I know several stores who attend the train shows large and small and they say all you need to do is advertise or if anyone asks use the words “sales tax included”. This way is something along the lines of what Brakie was talking about happens they don’t have a legal leg to stand on. I have even seen small signs on vendors tables say all items include tax or sales tax included.
I for one prefer using my credit card especially my AMEX card for large purchases at train shows. Ok fine you have a receipt so what you may never see the guy again or how do you go about getting an exchange or a refund? Well you have that power when you use your credit card. You can always file a dispute or in the case with American Express your purchases are insured. I am not sure if there is a minimum dollar amount you have to spend or not but I used it when I bought a $500 camera one year while on vacation that worked for a day and then quit. Called AMEX told em what happened and they told me to go out and find another camera and that it was covered. I had to submit paper work when I got home but at least I wasn’t stuck for the money while I was away from home.
I think its a matter of who’s carrying what at shows. If you were to pole people I would bet the majority of guys carrying cash as apposed to credit cards or ATM cards are the older members of t
The thing that strikes me as really stupid is to see someone at McDonald’s buying a cup of coffee and putting it on their credit card. All the McDonald’s here charge s 50 cent credit card fee. Can’t people at least carry the price of a cup of coffee in cash anymore?
Seeing people crowded around the ATM at a train show is just a sign of the times – too many people just want to use plastic for money and don’t realize all of the extra fees they’re being charged every time they use their credit or debit card. That’s why so many are always living on the verge of bankruptcy.
Gee, no such fees here. I use a credit card at McDonalds all the time. It’s faster and easier than cash. No signature, no hassling with change. If they started charging a fee, I’d pay cash, but when I had a choice I’d go to Burger King instead in protest.
I use cash regularly for 2 things - lunch at work, where the cafeteria doesn’t take credit cards, and purchases at my LHS, where I figure saving him the credit card fees helps keep a good shop in business. Train shows are rare, but I try to bring cash for that, too.
I fail to see any issue with buying a cup of coffee-- or even a pack of chewing gum-- on plastic. The benefits are good when you think about it:
As the other respondant pointed out, easily accomplished, without signature, etc. Plus you don’t have to carry cash (I rarely do anymore), you get an itemized receipt of your purchases for your records, plus an end-of-year breakdown of where your money goes-- good to know (well, sorta good You’re covered for losses after $50 bucks in case you lose it or if it gets stolen. It can be cancelled and re-issued at any time. I’ve done that before and have had a new card delivered by courier (gratis) within hours of losing the card-- now THAT is service! It adds to my signature rewards points so I get to go “shopping” a couple of times a year in their catalog-- I often get my wife’s b-day or xmas presents that way. I can use it in nearly any context, and if I really have to, I can even go get cash with it.
So what’s not to love? I admit when I first started using it like that it felt a little funny making tiny purchases that way-- but eventually I got to the point where I’m like “whatever, its my card, my money-- and to heck with anybody who thinks otherwise. It works for me.”
I don’t get charged anything for using my debit card either, and the bank gives me the $2.50 charges back. Up to some number of them a year-- ten or twelve probably-- and then $1.00 each after that, except the ones in their network which are always free.
I can’t see that at a Mickey Dee’s. BUT. If you are talking Starbuck’s---------[:-,][:-^]
OTOH if one gets so paranoid about using the debit card even —you have a choice. You either walk around with a whole heap of $$$$$ in your pocket, especially if you’re a collector hence becoming a target for thieves, or you have a very limited amount of $$$$ and ------
-----we then end up with the mythology of the trainshows–and our hobby— being so bad off.
Let’s see–if I used an ATM once I would immediately blow $2.50------that’s about the price of 1 coffee at Starbucks----
I can’t see that at a Mickey Dee’s. BUT. If you are talking Starbuck’s---------
Well, with Starbucks, you need to take out a second mortgage. [swg]
I will give them one thing. They came out with an instant coffee that’s almost as good as fresh brewed. When we’re on the road in the motor home, we use that and heat the water in the microwave.
Let’s see–if I used an ATM once I would immediately blow $2.50------that’s about the price of 1 coffee at Starbucks----
That’s why we use the Starbucks instant on the road. Even allowing for some minor fuel consumption running the generator to power the microwave, we get can get 4 cups for about the same price. Of course, the real cost is in driving the motor home, not coffee consumption.
And as for spending money at train shows, that’s probably not going to happen for a while. We’re re-roofing the house. I could buy several DPM or Glacier Park brass engines for what THAT’s costing us. The construction debris dumpster alone cost us the MSRP of a BLI Blue Line C&O T-1.
I can’t see that at a Mickey Dee’s. BUT. If you are talking Starbuck’s---------
Well, with Starbucks, you need to take out a second mortgage. [swg]
I will give them one thing. They came out with an instant coffee that’s almost as good as fresh brewed. When we’re on the road in the motor home, we use that and heat the water in the microwave.
Let’s see–if I used an ATM once I would immediately blow $2.50------that’s about the price of 1 coffee at Starbucks----
That’s why we use the Starbucks instant on the road. Even allowing for some minor fuel consumption running the generator to power the microwave, we get can get 4 cups for about the same price. Of course, the real cost is in driving the motor home, not coffee consumption.
And as for spending money at train shows, that’s probably not going to happen for a while. We’re re-roofing the house. I could buy several DPM or Glacier Park brass engines for what THAT’s costing us. The construction debris dumpster alone cost us the MSRP of a BLI Blue Line C&O T-1.
You’re covered for losses after $50 bucks in case you lose it or if it gets stolen. It can be cancelled and re-issued at any time. I’ve done that before and have had a new card delivered by courier (gratis) within hours of losing the card-- now THAT is service! It adds to my signature rewards points so I get to go “shopping” a couple of times a year in their catalog-- I often get my wife’s b-day or xmas presents that way. I can use it in nearly any context, and if I really have to, I can even go get cash with it.
