Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions

[Henry S]

Tax is based on the address you have the item shipped to. I pay a lower sales tax rate if I ship to my home than to my PO Box.

Will check with the forwarder then. Thank you.

 

[txwoodworker]

Based on this, I wonder if it would be best using a forwarder in a state that has the lowest sales tax.

 

[Cause Moe]

eBay frequently charges sales tax with no good reason. Sales of clothing are not taxed in my state, but eBay frequently charges anyway. I have had no luck resolving this, as eBay's policies of contempt for the customer can be overwhelming.

 

[Henry S]

Based on this, I wonder if it would be best using a forwarder in a state that has the lowest sales tax.
View attachment 1954505

I've been using the forwarder for three years without paying any taxes, as more than one MA forwarders advertise. If they can't resolve it, I'll switch to a different one.
Thanks for the list.

 

[Fueco]

I've been using the forwarder for three years without paying any taxes, as more than one MA forwarders advertise. If they can't resolve it, I'll switch to a different one.
Thanks for the list.

Tax laws vary from state to state. It’s likely out of their control.

 

[Henry S]

Tax laws vary from state to state. It’s likely out of their control.

They advertise that I'm not supposed to pay any taxes. My question is what changed in the past two weeks. That's why I thought it had something to do with my account.

 

[Fueco]

They advertise that I'm not supposed to pay any taxes. My question is what changed in the past two weeks. That's why I thought it had something to do with my account.

I have no idea. As a seller, I’m supposed to collect taxes based on the address I ship to. Well, eBay collects those taxes and disburses the money to the jurisdictions involved: thankfully, because doing that myself would take more time than I have.

Given that US tax law is so complicated, is there any wonder why eBay doesn’t have every potential issue solved?

My understanding is that as a foreign buyer, your only responsibility is to pay your nation’s import taxes and fees. I’m not clear on how using a forwarding services affects that.

 

[Henry S]

My understanding is that as a foreign buyer, your only responsibility is to pay your nation’s import taxes and fees. I’m not clear on how using a forwarding services affects that.

Not sure I understand what you are asking. When I said "any taxes", I meant MA sales tax or any additional tax you may have when shipped CONUS. Basically packages sent to their MA warehouse was/is handle like no sales tax state. Another forwarder who moved to DE (a year or so) used to have their warehouse in MA for the same reason.

When I use a forwarder, he charges me my country's VAT (if applied) + shipping.

 

[Fueco]

Not sure I understand what you are asking. When I said "any taxes", I meant MA sales tax or any additional tax you may have when shipped CONUS. Basically packages sent to their MA warehouse was/is handle like no sales tax state. Another forwarder who moved to DE (a year or so) used to have their warehouse in MA for the same reason.

When I use a forwarder, he charges me my country's VAT (if applied) + shipping.

What I’m suggesting is the the forwarding service might be required to pay taxes where they are. That would likely get passed on to you. Whether you like the taxes or not, there’s still a transaction happening in Massachusetts or whatever state where a forwarding service is located.

 

[double00]

Tax laws vary from state to state. It’s likely out of their control.

i would love if ebay would allow exclusion of individual conus states like they do countries

 

[double00]

What I’m suggesting is the the forwarding service might be required to pay taxes where they are. That would likely get passed on to you. Whether you like the taxes or not, there’s still a transaction happening in Massachusetts or whatever state where a forwarding service is located.

congress changed *nexus* iirc the shipping destination governs sales tax . it used to be the vendor's locale .

 

[Fueco]

congress changed *nexus* iirc the shipping destination governs sales tax . it used to be the vendor's locale .

That’s good to know.

 

[jonathanS]

Seriously though, did the buyer ask for the length before purchasing? If not, I’d probably deny.

Yes. I measured it and gave it. I don’t know what size umbrella you want if it’s too small. Like he probably wants a doormans umbrella?

 

[MJMcRibb]

@Fueco, any idea why someone is offering $200 to end this auction and any reason I shouldn't take it?

PENDLETON Board Shirt Wool Flannel Shadow Plaid Loop Collar Sz XL Blue Beige | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PENDLETON Board Shirt Wool Flannel Shadow Plaid Loop Collar Sz XL Blue Beige at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Fueco]

@Fueco, any idea why someone is offering $200 to end this auction and any reason I shouldn't take it?

PENDLETON Board Shirt Wool Flannel Shadow Plaid Loop Collar Sz XL Blue Beige | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PENDLETON Board Shirt Wool Flannel Shadow Plaid Loop Collar Sz XL Blue Beige at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I’m not familiar with that particular pattern. AFAIK, it’s not worth anything like that.