We had originally intended to have a small stock of electronics for sale from Synhak but decided against it due to no one wanting to keep another set of paperwork for sales. 501(c)(3)'s however are allowed to operate stores. As you said we would not be able to use our tax exempt status for purchases but we are allowed to operate retail so long as our mission is not fully dependent on this income, nor does our mission become retail. The IRS had us clarify our intent during the exemption process. The most well known example of a non-profit operating a retail space is Good-Will.
We also have(had?) reseller status at Sparkfun so, I believe, we pay wholesale on things. Retail is a mild complication come tax time for SynHak but it is allowed under the law. regards, Andrew L On Sat, Apr 5, 2014 at 7:21 PM, Torrie Fischer <tdfisc...@hackerbots.net>wrote: > On Saturday, April 05, 2014 19:13:25 Omar Rassi wrote: > > Great idea Martin! Perhaps the best way Synhak can facilitate this is by > > providing a place where people can do this collectively among themselves > > (sign up sheets, common meeting place, delivery address etc.) > > > > The only problem I see, is if Synhak were to collect the money and be the > > "purchaser" as it were, there may be some conflict regarding our 501c3 > > since Synhak's purchases are tax exempt, Synhak's purchases must be for > > Synhak without benefitting any individuals (I am not a tax expert so if > > someone knows the tax code better than this interpretation please correct > > me). I'd say go ahead and create a wiki-page and use the bulletin board > by > > the front door for "carpool-purchasing" or some such name. > > I'd be okay with using Phong Robotics' corporate account for bulk ordering. > Wouldn't be tax exempt, but if there is enough interest I could slip you > into > a regular order. > > > > > Also, Microcenter in Mayfield Heights carries Raspberry Pi and they are > > usually in stock. > > > > > > On Sat, Apr 5, 2014 at 11:34 AM, Martin Pinkston > > > > <martinpinks...@gmail.com>wrote: > > > Yesterday, I decided to order a second Raspberry Pi. So I do to > > > Element14's web site and click on the 'buy now' button. So a window > pops > > > up > > > and asks you if this is for personal or business use. (What business is > > > that of yours???) So, I answer the question, noting that all personal > use > > > RPi's orders are handled through their sister company MCM. Then I go > > > through the ordering process for a pi without the SD card and my least > > > expensive option for shipping is $10.49. (What the..???...One third the > > > cost for shipping???) I call the 1-888 number and talk to a customer > > > 'service' person. Her best answer was "I'm sorry sir." So, I cancelled > my > > > order and went back to Element14 and answered that 'personal or > business' > > > question with 'business'. Finished the order process and shipping was > > > $5.and some change plus $3 tax, for a grand total of $42 and change. > > > What a crock of bull...'personal or business'?... > > > And the reason I say that is because in December '13' when I ordered my > > > first pi, there was no such silliness. Again, I say 'What a crock...' > > > > > > So, even though I am not a member, might I make a proposal that maybe > > > another member can officially propose. > > > I propose that Synhak take a poll to see who may be wanting a RPi. > > > And if you want a RPi, you must have (a proposed percentage of the > cost = > > > X) turned in by (a date). > > > Synhak will then take that money and offset the balance using some > grant > > > money to order that number of RPi's (and maybe a few extra to stock) > > > When the RPi's come in, those who requested and paid a deposit on one > can > > > pay the balance plus the equally divided shipping cost and get their > pi. > > > > > > End of proposal. > > > > > > When I was going through nursing school, I had an instructor who always > > > said, " If you come to me with a gripe, you better have an idea for a > > > solution." > > > And that has always stuck with me. > > > In other words, "Don't just whine about it, fix it." > > > > > > Sent from my RPi. > > > -- > > > Take Care and Have Fun Always. > > > > > > Martin > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Discuss mailing list > > > Discuss@synhak.org > > > https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss > > _______________________________________________ > Discuss mailing list > Discuss@synhak.org > https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss >
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