[AiNt-RiTe-Acres]

I had planned on setting up shop on Etsy and Ebay but I decided to back off of that because of their new policies on reporting to the IRS. I don’t want to “cheat” the government but I have no desire to be robbed by them either. Will the freesteading marketplace be forced to report sales? Will there be sales tax issues? Will there be costs associated with listings?

Not to be a pest but I figure these questions needed to be asked.

I’m earnestly, honestly eager to see freesteading have it’s own marketplace. I’m looking forward to buying, selling and trading with all our like minded members.

[TagNBee]

If freesteading touches the money it will have to collect sales tax. There will also have to be a fee for selling, buying or some combination. I’m not going to foot the bill . Everything is still being discussed , which is why I’m asking. We could also just do a simple buy/sell group that just connects the buyer and seller. This would push the costs of taxation, reporting and the like onto the seller. I don’t want to spend a bunch if money if the intest is small

[Hanidu-Acres]

Let’s keep it simple.

[AiNt-RiTe-Acres]

Oh I have no issue with y’all making money off of it. Especially when it’s your time and neck. Personally I’d prefer a sales group that keeps things strictly between buyer and seller. I appreciate all y’all do and I’d hate to see you put out a marketplace that could open you to liabilities of any kind. I’d also prefer to have any tax responsibility under my own control. I don’t intend to lie about my income and get my butt in trouble over taxes I just don’t like the idea of companies like Etsy and Ebay pushing me into a corner with it.

So I’d say a sales group would be the way to go. I’m not sure how you monetize that though. Maybe a small membership fee or something. You obviously deserve to be paid for your time and efforts.

Would it be possible to do a dual marketplace? One where you could operate like Etsy or Ebay on oneside and a Craigslist or swap shop on the other?

[JerseyGiantChick]

As simple as possible please, no etsy or ebay and so on for that reason. Just want to be able to sell private, not as a shop to make money.

How about the rules USA and Europe all over the world?

[DeepSouth]

I would love Marketplace. Etsy has been great for us. No problems. So if marketplace is comparable in fees and easy to operate, I think people will use it. I liked what you have in place so far. Easy to work with. Shipping was the only issue I saw a couple of weeks ago.

[Maytag]

I honestly like the idea of both. Here’s what I mean:

If I wanted to just do local business especially for items that make no sense to try to just put in a box or an envelope and ship (animals, hay bales, other big things, or anything that might potentially have legal/liability ramifications if actually “sold” through FS, etc.) it would be nice to have both a WANTED and a SELLING section. No transactions through this site, just classified-style (like craigslist) for people to get in touch. As this kind of thing might not make the site much/any money, it could be fairly simple (as to not use up a ton of time on development), and perhaps something embedded inside the State groups.

If I wanted to buy or sell stuff that could more easily be shipped, then using the FS Marketplace as a storefront would be a good fit for that stuff.

[Private_Cluck]

I agree with @Jonathan . Both would be appropriate. For those members that already have storefronts on eBay, Etsy, etc., a marketplace here on Freesteading (perhaps with similar structured fees) would make sense for them. For other members, with no desire to have a “storefront” or they sell a few items here and there (locally), a Craigslist style place to list items makes more sense.

[coyotech]

Yes, agree. Some people make a lot of their income from selling things, and they might want a marketplace, which would be much more complicated. However, I’d be more interested in a Craigslist or classified sort of listing for things wanted, for sale, for trade or free. LIvestock included.

[RenewedHomestead]

We would be interested, thank you! On many platforms you can’t sell livestock, it would be nice to find local people you can trade or purchase from. Thanks!

[JulieDogmom]

I’ve never really been a seller, so my interest in that aspect (at least for now) is minimal at best.

My interest/experience as a buyer though, has gone parabolic since I started prepping almost three years ago. I would be far more interested in buying/trading with more like minded people vs giving my business to companies/platforms that’re woke, greedy and mostly based in China (with vague US based business addresses to get around the ‘US only’ filters.) As I progress in my preparedness journey (get land, start to build etc.) I believe having a marketplace setting could actually be an incredible benefit for obvious reasons but it could also eventually lead into me potentially becoming a seller/trader like many that’ve already expressed interest and have that experience.

[Hebrews12v2]

I would be mostly a buyer, but maybe occasionally sell miscellaneous items I no longer needed/wanted. While a Group would be generally sufficient, a gripe I have is that there is no forced threading of discussions, so it would be VERY messy to follow what people are selling or buying because they would be all mixed together, and like current discussions or posts, no way to have threaded sub-topics under a single discussion. Everything is linear and not hierarchical.

Linear posts go from top to bottom with no way to break off the main discussion, where hierarchical posts can break out into sub discussions under the main topic. So in a Buy/Sell group it would be VERY difficult to follow a single posting without other un-related posts mixing in. It really is a big gripe for me of this site, overall, and it would be a nightmare for a Buy/Sell group because people don’t either have ability or know-how to use “Discussion” topics when available.

So I would vote for a Buy/Sell group area IF you can do it hierarchically. If not then Marketplace is ONLY way to go. (just my 2 cents worth).

[coastalredwoodhomestead]

I don’t have anything at the moment to sell but I prefer to buy from other homesteaders then the store

[Carter]

Same🙋‍♀️

[Hippiemimi]

Same here although I craft with wool and do craft shows so technically I could sell.

[KimC]

Since this was first brought up I have been contemplating if I would become a seller or buyer, or neither or both. Like others, I would prefer to buy/sell/trade with/support like-minded folks here than anywhere else. I can see the possibilities, but as others have said, it could get both messy and complicated. I vote for simple, free and straightforward. Other than many years ago selling some vintage china and a few other items on eBay, I have not been a seller and have never had a storefront. Paying fees or setting up something elaborate probably wouldn’t make sense for me, but being able to tell folks here if I have something to offer, and find potential buyers or someone to trade with has appeal. Thanks for the possibilities and all you’ve provided here. It’s truly a blessing.

[NonaLee]

There are tax implications with bartering if it becomes known to the irs..I.e. posted as such. With the current regime they will be looking for any way they can shut the community down. Of course. There could be free listings with an understanding that what transpires after the two parties agree on the particulars off site are between them and G.d.

[Terminator]

I would love to see a market place on freesteading I’m always on market place from Facebook around my area

[IsleOfViewHomestead]

Omg yes! In Utah, they have a local news company that created an online classified app. That’s all it is, is to buy sell and trade locally. As of late, it’s had HUGE problems with scams and fraud. They have implemented an internal messenger to help avoid phone scamming. It’s helped from what I understand, but this could be a risk here.

I would 100% rather buy a used item from someone than buy it new if I could. New stuff doesn’t last anymore. And I’m finding most used stuff works longer than the new stuff even tries to.

100% I think we need a marketplace here.

[Bobby-Q]

Tag, I think your comment makes sense for simplicity, just connect buyer and seller. it keeps you from having to deal with fee’s and taxes, just have a listings page with links that connects folks to the platform they currently sell on. It would be easier for me if folks just came to my website and bought online directly from me.

[Robin_Holstein]

I think the idea is good. I agree that it should just be a connector, like the auto trader papers are. I don’t sell a lot of tangibles. I provide services: bed and breakfast with a couple of special breakfast items. My place is a “safe” place for likeminded people.

[Pukalani-Farm]

This sounds wonderful.

[MarlaKC]

A simple connection would be sufficient. No middle man. Kind of like FB but without the nosyness after an item is removed. Buyer could PM/DM seller and go from there.

The seller could also link to their website/storefront.

Perhaps a place where buyers can rate sellers? And vice versa (sp?).

Perhaps a place at the top of the group to suggest “no idle chit chat, please”.

Also, perhaps a way to tip you for all your hard work? If I sell an item, I wouldn’t mind tithing a bit to you. Value for value.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by  MarlaKC.

[Woodsman]

Keep in mind the purpose and (Rules) everyone had ro agree with to join “FreeSteading.” Some folks wonder how the Platform functions? Simply read the Lawyer-like site written agreement.

Commercialism isn’t what “FreeSteading” is about. It states it is all about “Information” sharing. So make your business transactions via non commercialized.

Enjoy!