Posts by Taylor Campbell4

I have to head back into the office at the Chamber of Commerce tomorrow—I went by today, but I ended up talking to the wrong person...

Now I’m facing a bit of a dilemma. I don't actually plan on launching a full-blown e-commerce website right away—it's just not a priority for me in the beginning. Instead, I'll be focusing my sales efforts through Craigslist and direct outreach.
How would that be classified? Since I'm setting up an LLC but won't have a retail storefront—just a standard office space—

I just wanted to point out that my question still hasn't actually been answered. I’m ignoring responses from Frank Barnes—in fact, I specifically asked him not to reply—simply because I don't want anyone else reading this thread to get the false impression that the issue is resolved. He tends to jump into conversations whether he's asked for his input or not, which can create a misleading sense that the original poster has received a solution.

graniteeagle25 said:Well... that's a budget model.

To be honest, I was originally planning to pick up something a bit more substantial right out of the gate—I had roughly $1,000 in mind$400 just to ensure it lasts longer. Since I'll be receiving some small business startup grants, I can put those funds toward the equipment, regardless. Plus, there's no telling if I'll end up printing 150, 200, or even more pages regularly.

Could you recommend an MFP in that price range? Ideally one where the compatible cartridges—or even the OEM ones—won't break the bank.

I'm assuming—though I could be wrong—that a laser printer is the way to go, especially since I'll be printing invoices and quotes from accounting software. I don't think inkjet is really an option here; for instance, when an invoice or quote has a lot of colored shading or filled-in sections, you end up burning through ink pretty fast. Is laser definitely the better choice in this case?

graniteeagle25 said:Look, before you start posting, maybe run your text through a spellchecker? Or is there some kind of writing struggle going on here? I can't make sense of a single sentence—the letters just don't seem to form actual words.

Since you're just buying 150 pages a month for the company, honestly, it doesn't matter much what you pick.

The cheapest color inkjet (around $150) will have enough ink tanks for that volume. The fact that those refills cost as much as a whole other printer is a separate issue entirely.

On the flip side, the cheapest laser printer costs about the same and comes with toner that yields ten times more than your monthly needs. Plus, the toner for it usually costs about half the price of the machine itself.

I'm not sure what you mean by "original replacement toners"—if it's an OEM, it isn't a replacement, and vice versa.

In the budget category, you've got the Xerox 3040, HP 1102, and the Canon LBP-6020. Their toners are roughly the same price (slightly under $67 for generics, while originals run about $600), and they are rated for about 5,000 pages a month. Pick whichever one you like from those three, ideally one where you can find compatible toner at any local Staples or Office Depot if you end up printing a lot. If not, it won't matter anyway, since you'll likely only swap a toner once or even once a year.

Expecting a device like that to last five or ten years is just unrealistic. You'll pay it off in the first year, write it off in the second, and by the third, you'll probably just upgrade to a newer, better model at the same price point.

Actually, my plan was to buy something slightly higher-end from the jump—I was thinking somewhere in the $1,000 range $400—so it lasts longer. I’m expecting some small business tax credits to cover the cost, so it’s manageable regardless. And who knows how much I'll actually be printing, maybe 150-200 pages or way more.

Can you recommend a multi-function device in that price bracket?

I assume (though I'm not certain) that I really need a laser printer, especially since I'll be printing invoices and quotes from accounting software. I'm thinking inkjet might not be the best move—for instance, when an invoice has a lot of colored or shaded sections, it eats through ink pretty fast... Is laser definitely the better way to go there?

I’m also wondering if there’s some kind of government agency or service where you can just reach out—maybe via a phone call or an email—and ask, "Hey, if I open this specific type of business, what am I looking at?"
Could someone please point me toward all the relevant federal laws and regulations governing this field? I’d rather not spend my time hunting through legal databases myself, only to get hit with a massive fine because I missed a single technicality...

To be specific: 1) I’m looking to start a web shop, but honestly, I’d just want to sell through eBay to start since I don't really need anything else right away. Does that actually fall under the legal definition of an e-commerce business, or am I required to have a dedicated, standalone website with its own domain and URL to qualify?

2) I don't plan on having a brick-and-mortar storefront. My LLC will just be registered to my home address, which will serve as my office space and where I'll keep my inventory. I'm a bit fuzzy on how the zoning works for a home office. My primary business would likely be retail, but I won't have a physical shop where customers walk in (I could set one up, but god knows what kind of building codes and permits I'd have to jump through). Instead, I'll just handle sales through listings, shipping via USPS, and so on. Within that same home office setup, would I be allowed to perform computer repair services? Essentially, people could ship items to me or drop them off, I'd fix them, and then send them back.

3) If I'm only selling via eBay, what are the rules regarding my storage area for inventory? I'll be dealing with computer replacement parts—mostly electronics—so it won't take up much room. Are there any specific storage facility requirements for this kind of retail operation?

4) Regarding sales tax and payment processing—from what I’ve gathered so far, if a customer pays via COD (Cash on Delivery) or via an invoice, it might not require immediate point-of-sale reporting. But for upfront payments made against a quote, can I just use a desktop accounting system at my office to process the transaction and then mail the receipt along with the product?

5) Now, what if the customer lives in my same city? It sounds simple, but it's actually a headache. I won't be shipping it through the mail. How should they pay me? I could ask them to pay via an emailed invoice, but that feels a little clunky for the customer. Is there a more seamless way to handle that?

6) Also, the whole concept of primary versus secondary business activities is a bit confusing to me. So, my primary business is retail, and that's what I'll be doing (what exactly are the criteria used to define a "primary" activity?). And what happens if a customer wants me to actually install the part I’m selling? If I register "repair services" as a secondary activity, what are the requirements for that? Would I be forced to maintain specific business hours, given that service work is quite time-intensive?
And if I go to the customer's house to install the part—would I be required to use a mobile POS system? I know those mobile solutions can get pretty pricey, so I'm hoping there's another way.
I assume an LLC can run several different business activities simultaneously as long as they are registered and all compliance standards are met. Also, can you be registered for a certain type of business before you actually meet all the requirements to perform it? Like, can I list it now and then fulfill the requirements later when I actually decide to start doing it? How does that workflow function?

7) Additionally, would it be feasible—and cost-effective in terms of complexity and fees—to act as a "buying agent" or middleman? For example, if I don't have a specific part in stock and it's a rare item that isn't frequently requested, could I simply facilitate the purchase for the client instead of holding inventory? How would that be structured legally?

8) To save everyone some time and avoid cluttering the general sales tax thread, what would be the best accounting software for this setup? I'll need something that handles inventory management. As for the transactions, I expect a relatively low volume initially—maybe a hundred invoices a month—and most of them will likely be handled via COD or B2B bank transfers rather than direct retail sales.
One more thing: what happens when an individual makes a payment based on a quote sent to their personal account? Does that still need to be processed through my sales tax system? And if a corporation pays from their business account, is that treated differently?

I would truly appreciate any answers or guidance you could provide on these matters.

PS:

Raymond Martinez10 said:That part in bold is completely wrong, but try an S-Corp instead—it's cheaper.

Wouldn't setting up an LLC actually be the more cost-effective and straightforward route in the long run? That's what I've been seeing on several business sites lately.

I have a question regarding service calls—if I’m performing onsite maintenance as an employee of my own LLC, am I strictly required to carry a mobile point-of-sale device for immediate invoicing? Or would it be acceptable to simply swing back to the office and print the receipt from my computer?
Since this would essentially be a side gig for me—definitely not more than four times a month to start—I’d rather not sink capital into mobile fiscal hardware just yet. It feels silly to turn away potential business over a technicality.

Also, if my LLC is primarily registered for retail, how much red tape am I looking at if I want to perform another service we're already registered for—say, computer repair? Is there a mountain of paperwork involved when adding a secondary service line, or does it go smoothly as long as the activity is listed in our corporate filings?

Honestly, you’re just toxic for this community—or at least this specific section. Maybe I was being an idiot by keeping this page in my bookmarks.
Look, you might think you're right, but you can't just hijack every single thread to push whatever you're selling. Stop trying to mislead people into thinking they're wasting their time.
Right now, you've steered this entire discussion about the most cost-effective laser printer toward

Man, you could easily provide objective info while still mentioning your offer within that context. Personally, I wouldn't buy a single thing from you because I don't trust a word you say, given how you operate here and online... It would be great if you just stopped replying here altogether, starting now. I came here asking a question because I wanted an honest answer, not to be subtly nudged into buying whatever it is you deal in!! Does that make sense to you?

I ended up picking up an X1 myself—I wasn't about to trek all the way to a massive shopping mall for it since I'm out here in Des Moines. I figured you probably meant big-box retailers, but I actually found a local tech shop that seems a bit more specialized.

Honestly, this forum has turned into a bit of a joke lately. Instead of getting straight answers, you get steered away from what you actually need—it wasn't always this way. I guess this setup is better for everyone, though, since the whole forum basically serves as one giant advertisement now.

PS: I really don't get why you're even hanging around here if this is how you handle things. If you're actually selling something, your most important asset should be building honest rapport with potential customers—not being vague or overcomplicating a simple purchase by hiding three-quarters of the available options. Especially when a customer knows exactly what they want, or even when they don't. Plus, there are certain unwritten rules to participating in a community like this. The worst people are the ones who just reply with "Google it." What's the point of a forum if people aren't willing to share their actual experiences? If I wanted to spend half an hour surfing the web to find an answer, I wouldn't bother asking here. You can certainly do that, but then why even have a forum, and why bother showing up at all?

Look, man, you guys are taking this way too far—stretching the conversation out into things that don't matter. Maybe it’s fine for you, but what about me? I’m looking to pick up a printer for my business, maybe printing 150 pages a month, and I really shouldn't have to become an expert on various laser component series just to figure out what they even are. I need to grasp the basics first.

There's no way there are fifteen different technical parameters required just to make a purchase decision.
So, I’m actually hesitant to even ask a question here, even though I was really hoping to get some solid advice.

If anyone has any tips that don't involve me studying the entire history of printing technology, thanks in advance.

To recap: I mentioned my monthly page count, and I'm thinking black and white (though I've heard they aren't much cheaper than color). To be honest, I'm looking for an older model at a lower price point, and I'm not even certain if a laser printer is actually what I need. And of course, maintenance shouldn't break the bank, right?

So, which printer is actually the best buy?

I've never actually dealt with a laser toner cartridge before, so I'd rather not spend my time messing around with swapping parts in and out—that usually leads to complications that make you wonder why you bothered in the first place...

My last printer was just a basic Epson unit I used for personal stuff, using third-party ink $3.25, and it lasted over five years, though I can't tell you if it did a few hundred pages or a few thousand a year. It cost roughly $133. I need something similar but more budget-friendly (okay, maybe not *that* cheap), but at least where the replacement colors aren't ridiculously overpriced, and it lasts 4–5 years. I hope it hasn't reached the point where you have to drop thousands of dollars just because a device is more than two years old...

PS: If anyone could explain—specifically regarding a cheaper laser printer—how much original replacement toner costs (you don't have to use a worst-case scenario, just a standard one) and how many pages you get before needing a replacement. Because right now, we're talking about nothing. Some of you act like this is all common sense, but I'm asking as a customer, not a hardware procurement specialist... just so we're clear...

My goal here is to save time. I can certainly hunt for answers on Google myself. But if no one here can share their actual experience in a few clear sentences, or if this place is just for advertisements, then there's really no point to this forum...

There’s one more detail I think is worth noting—the USPS also allows for payments via standard money orders, rather than requiring a specific postal money order to settle a COD shipment.

I was actually going to mention this earlier, but I couldn't quite find the right moment—have you considered whether anything changed in your system settings just before this started happening? 🙂 You might have accidentally installed a new version of Java or some similar update

It looks to me like their site just crashed—some kind of server error on their end. Who knows, maybe it'll be back up by tomorrow.

Just to be safe, try using a different browser—maybe even a third one—and let their customer support know what's happening.

I usually just try switching over to a few different browsers if one isn't cooperating. 🙂 I'll test out Chrome or maybe Firefox—though, naturally, it’s never once worked for me in Opera.

Just try searching for "convert to PDF" or "PDF printer" online.
If you install one of those virtual printers, it'll just show up in your list of devices alongside everything else—except instead of spitting out paper, it just saves everything as a PDF document.

Don't wait—just send that error over right away. You could also grab a screenshot and attach it to an email to the IRS customer service team.
Just make sure you double-check that everything was entered correctly before things went sideways...

It wasn't working for me in Internet Explorer, but everything seems fine now in Mozilla.
It might be that you have JavaScript enabled in Mozilla—honestly, I can't even remember if I tweaked any specific settings in Mozilla myself.

Also, try disabling the pop-up blocker in Internet Explorer; that might do the trick.

Taylor Campbell4, I assume you went ahead and installed those apps from the links in the email?

If Java starts acting up, try uninstalling every single version you currently have through the Control Panel—it’s possible things have just gotten cluttered over time—and then go ahead and perform a fresh install of the latest version.

I just started working on my VAT filing. Since they should have already received everything from the first month at the IRS, I probably don't need to include it.

The first thing tripping me up is the business activity code—specifically for an attorney.

I searched online and found that it should be 74.11, but that code isn't showing up anywhere in the drop-down menu...

And the input field below won't even let me type in a decimal point.

Does anyone know what's going on?

Just got word back from support—they actually mistyped the filename in their email, writing fina_install.zip instead of fina-install.zip.

I’m certainly no computer science expert—far from it—so I’ve been running into my own share of tech headaches lately. Just wanted to offer a little sympathy to help you feel better 🙂
(Folks, please take a look above and lend a hand if you can)