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questions about buying/selling

I know these topics have been covered but the last, long threads have been about specific situations, with lots of emotion. I have a couple basic questions about buying and selling. I should say that I have no feedback on Audiogon or Audiomart; I have a modest number of positive reviews on eBay. 

These questions are in the context of Paypal reporting income and issuing a 1099k. If I'm understanding it correctly, any sales over $600 generate this taxable income requirement. It looks like many online sales now use the "family and friends" option.

BUYING: It looks to me like Audiomart offers no buyer protection. What protections are available to me as a buyer (other than research and due diligence)? If I insist on using PayPal goods/services (3%), does that provide me with adequate coverage through PayPal? I've read that using friends/family with a credit card offers coverage from the cc company, but I wonder if anyone out here has actually made a claim to a cc company this way. I wouldn't be surprised if a cc company was hesitant since family/friends is not supposed to be used for a purchase. Why would a cc company offer coverage on what should essentially be a cash transfer between friends/family? (And--there's a 3% charge to use a cc for family/friends, as I understand it.)

SELLING: I may want to sell a few things (CR-1, amp, etc). Without an established record, what assurances can I give a potential buyer here or on Audiomart? (I'm fine on eBay.) If I offer to use PayPal goods/services (and pay for it!), would that go far in reassuring a potential buyer that they're protected? 

Finally: I think I read that I wouldn't have to pay tax on income from sales if I can show that I am selling the items for less than I purchased them for. Is this true? And is it easy? (Sigh. I'll just end up paying my accountant to do all the filing work. There's no free lunch.)

I appreciate any general advice here and I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding how PayPal works. If there's a *recent* thread on this topic that doesn't get into outraged specifics about individual situations, please redirect me. I'm only interested in how the policies work. 

northman
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 

$600 limit starting this year for federal but our nanny state has been doing it for years. Once you get a 1099K you have to file it.

northman OP
251 posts
 

Thanks, fuzztone. Do you know whether that "income" is offset if I'm selling something for less than I bought it for?

And can anyone confirm that, as a buyer on Audiomart, my basic protection would be PayPal goods/services? I don't see much in the way of protection using friends/family.

mike_in_nc
1,147 posts
 

It is only gain (profit) that is taxable. If you lose money, you don’t pay taxes. However, there may be more paperwork and you might need to consult a tax professional to handle that correctly on your tax return.

PP friends/family specifically excludes protections. And yes, your basic protections in the used market are (AFAIK) provided by PayPay. There can be minor assistance by the marketplaces, but PayPal is the main one, though if you are buying, your credit card company can be quite helpful if there is a problem.

northman OP
251 posts
 

Outstanding, Mike. Thank you for confirming all that. I appreciate that you took the time to respond.

I understand why many sellers prefer to use friends/family, and I've bought that way with a seller out here on 'Gon--but in general I'd have to really trust the seller to do that.

minorl
1,016 posts
 

Hmmm, if you purchased an item new for $10,000 and sold it for $5,000 did you actually make money? or is it a loss?

Also, Paypal does not protect the seller at all.  Paypal protects the buyer only.

I actually prefer that the buyer come, to pick up the unit personally if possible.  Then I will have it connected and play their favorite music.  That way they see the condition and can determine if it matches the description I listed and they can also hear it operate. 

I'm not a shop.  I'm a private person selling something I no longer wish to keep.  My listings are always accurate.  I hide nothing.  I'm not desperate to sell anything.  

If the buyer wants the unit shipped and prefers paypal, then the buyer will be responsible for the additional paypal fees.

Paying taxes on something that one already paid taxes on previously seems sort of wrong to me.  But, oh, well.

enjoy

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