Encompassing Designs
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Kits
    • Patterns >
      • Christine Little >
        • Signature Designs
        • New Designs
        • Seasonal Designs
      • Deborah Sweet
      • Susan Leslie
      • Patricia Perry
      • William Morris
    • Supplies >
      • Backings
      • Frames
      • Hooks
      • Books
      • Extra
    • Wool >
      • Abrashed
      • Custom Dyeing
      • Dyed Bundles
      • Dyed Curly Mohair
      • Dyed Spots
      • Dyed Values
      • Dyed Yarn
      • Jacquard Dice Dyes
      • Natural & Colours
      • Plaids & Textures
      • Dye Books & Swatches
  • Ordering
  • Blog
  • Workshops
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us

Please don't tax me when I sales tax you!

8/22/2013

11 Comments

 
Picture
I’m going to discuss something that disturbs my sense of patriotism. But just to be clear, I’m not some kind of freakish do gooder, straight as an arrow, squeaky clean, goodie two shoes. I have my faults like everyone else; I jay walk, cuss a bit,  have a heavy foot on the open highway and tip my elbow for special occasions, but on the whole, I generally obey the laws of the land, don’t lie or steal and appreciate this great country beneath my feet.   It’s not that I take this problem personally, I’m not responsible for the decisions of others, I just  don’t like being put in a position to defend my own principles or be made feel stupid because I like to stay on the legal side of prison bars. 
 
Asking me to sell goods without charging sales tax is not an option in my shop, so please don't ask.   I’ve been bullied and basically called foolish for not partaking in stashing cash because apparently as the words have  implied “everyone is doing it”.  If this statement were true, no wonder schools close, programs are cut, highways don't get mended and jobs are in jeopardy.
I personally don’t believe that statement to be true and if it is, that would be very sad for everyone in this country.  But in the meantime, instead of being applauded for being honest, hardworking and supportive of this nation we live in,  I've been asked to go against the grain and do something I’m not comfortable with. 
 
Over the years I’ve heard a few shady things but I've stood my ground.  One woman, a school teacher,  asked me to write her a receipt for $300.00 for a beginner class and then she would buy things in my shop and get reimbursed when back to work.  No wonder the world is in trouble if the masses cheat the system.  I said no, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing this and she walked out of the store.  There was a part of me that wanted to phone her school to snitch but I can’t fight battles that aren’t mine.   I keep my nose clean, mind my own business in the hopes that others will do the same; I have no interest or energy to take on the world.  A hungrier retailer might have succumbed to the chance to make a sale but I have to do what I believe in to keep my head high.  I wondered why a complete stranger felt so comfortable asking for such a dishonest favour? Perhaps she’d done it before, after all it was no skin off her back if I said no, and if I said yes, she would be the benefactor of some free goods.  

Recently I was told by a customer’s husband that he refuses to pay tax because the government left him behind in Vietnam to die.  His story was that “the government” wouldn’t spend the money to gas up a helicopter to come in and save him.  I didn’t ask for details, even though I was a bit confused knowing that Canadian’s weren’t in that war, but hubby tells me that mercenary soldiers had the option to go to the states and sign up, which begs the question, why was he so pissed at our government?  Regardless, trying to get out of paying tax is not a slight on the government.  It’s a slight on the people.  We elect the government to run our country…people think the government is separate from the people, but it is one in the same.  You aren’t just cheating the big man at 24 Sussex out of a lobster dinner, which is what I am told repeatedly, you're ripping off all your fellow citizens.  And yes there are politicians who are dishonest and pad their expense accounts, we hear it on the news, and those who take kick backs and so on, but that is where two wrongs don't make a right come in.  I believe we all do what our conscience allows, and mine doesn't care about a bit of corruption in the system, there are laws to take care of that, I have to believe that most of our elected officials are honest and in the meantime, I have to live with me and what I feel comfortable with. 


I only succumbed once because of a sob story attached to the demand and after they left I voided the slip, made out a proper one and paid the tax on the items myself, all the while swearing an oath never to do it again.   I felt as crooked as a bonsai branch and a bit ill in my stomach.  I worked for an accounting office once and witnessed a few corner cuts, borderline shady things and I never liked it.  I don't even cheat on my income taxes which might made me a freak but I'm a freak that sleeps nights.   

I'm told to write things on the sales slip as damaged and broken, sell them for reduced prices and then pocket the rest in cash, sigh, how does anyone keep it all straight.  How do you know how much money you've made at year end if it isn't all accounted for legitimately.  I don't have the time or inclination to keep a second set of books.   Really I couldn't get up early enough in the morning to come up with ways to cheat the system.    

A woman bullied me several times to sell her goods without tax.  Being a business woman herself, I was surprised that the concept of inventory in, inventory out didn’t matter.  She would say things like, "I’ll buy this hook but I’m not paying tax." matter-of-factly, leaving no room for negotiation.  No tax, no slip.  If I'm audited where am I supposed to say the products went when there is no slip to prove it went out the door?    

This woman told me that everyone does it and I’m foolish not to pocket cash from the business. She told me I didn’t understand the process and after being pummeled with the reasons I should do it and how I didn't understand how the process words,  I asked to be enlightened and she obliged. Example: The deal was for me to sell a$30.00 retail priced item to her at cost, say $20.00. The sale’s slip would reflect the tax of $3.00 for a total sale of $23.00. Then she would hand me cash of $7.00 to make up the difference to total the full retail price of $30.00.   So she saves $4.50?  And I feel like crap?  Forget it! 
 
My comment was, who in their right mind would sell items for cost?  If I was ever audited that would send up a red flag.  She said I won’t be audited and even if they did they wouldn’t care. I was quite surprised; I didn’t realize she was a practicing clairvoyant.  Somewhere down the road cheating would bite me in the arse as quick as a flea on a dog, and I’d be stuck paying the tax for those items and probably fined as well, but there was no thought or care about that.  One thing an auditor isn't....stupid......they've seen and heard it all so what makes the little shop owner think they can get away with financial indiscretions.  I might not be the most savvy business woman in the world but I like going to bed without fretting if I'll get caught doing something underhanded. I’m hardworking and honest, my books are legit and I'm proud of that fact!!!! 
 
I was getting pretty annoyed and the more I protested the more I felt like the word “stupid” was on the tip of her tongue.  Instead of saying to me, Wow Christine, I have to say I’m impressed that you’re so honourable,” Instead she’s telling me I’m foolish not to stuff as much cash in my pocket as possible.  She says she pays enough tax and doesn't feel she has to pay extra for recreational items.   Well if that’s how she feels it’s her cross to bear, just don’t ask me to compromise my standard.  
 
My closest friends buy supplies from me and I don’t sell under the table or give them tax breaks, why would I do that for a stranger or just a casual acquaintance?  Who would risk a shit storm reigning down on their business for some random person on the other side of the counter? Who's to say they don’t work for Revenue Canada testing the waters? Why would anyone take  chances when the penalties and fines could cripple you financially? 
 
I am so happy to wake in the morning to the sound of birds chirping in the trees, rising from a peaceful night’s sleep with not a care in the world.  The biggest quandary of my morning is how to cook my eggs.  So many people around the world aren’t as lucky; they wake to mortar fire and the screams of their sons dying in the streets.  Some people wake with gut burning hunger left over from the day before, knowing there is nothing to feed their children.  People, and lots of times, small children work in sweat shops from the break of dawn to sunset, how they would love to live in a country where the water is clean and they have rights to prevent these atrocities. Living in Canada we are free, and freedom costs which I don’t mind helping to pay for.......
     

Picture
11 Comments
Susan
8/22/2013 02:15:55 am

I totally agree! So glad to hear that there are others who believe we get what we pay for (even in government).

Reply
Christine
8/23/2013 04:52:15 am

It is obvious from the comments that we are not alone!

Reply
Stacey Van Dyne
8/22/2013 05:18:02 am

Good for you, Christine. Keep true to yourself & you will never be sorry. I am always amazed at what people think is ok to do when in reality it is cheating/stealing. Saying everyone does it is not an excuse, not to mention it is not true. How much happier & better off they would be if they would just follow the rules. Who knows, if everyone did the right thing maybe taxes would go down.

Reply
Christine
8/23/2013 04:51:14 am

Thanks for this!

Reply
nargaet
8/22/2013 08:39:28 am

Right on Christine! Having been a military wife for years, have a son who was in the Navy and another still in the army who has done several tours in dangerous places and has a brutal job (taking apart bombs) I know they have not served their country so that others can bypass the rules and regulations. If you don;t like the rules, get them changed. Anyone can do this by voting, petitioning their MP and lobbying parlieament. Who do you think is paying for all the services you get? Some say 'the government', which I learned in Civics class was the people. Stick to your principles!

Reply
margaret
8/22/2013 08:41:36 am

Sorry: I was so fired up my fingers could not hit the right keys! So the third reply should have my right name on it!!

Reply
Christine
8/23/2013 04:49:38 am

I know what you mean by being fired up....it burns me too! Thanks for sharing!

Reply
BERTHA MALLARD
8/23/2013 01:07:15 am

Amen from the U.S. A.

Reply
Christine
8/23/2013 04:47:52 am

Amen back at ya!

Reply
Pam
8/23/2013 04:31:36 am

I used to work in an Antique shop and often was asked not to charge the tax. You don't go to Department stores and ask them not to tax you. You don't go to dress shops and ask them not to tax. You don't ask...is this your best price? Will you take more off if I buy more? Why do people think that these are questions you can ask of independent store owners? Independent store owners are the ones that least afford to change their pricing, or get caught not charging taxes. The owner of the store I worked in used to say that often there where people hired to check on stores to see if they followed the tax rules. If people don't want to pay taxes, shop at the flea markets where deals are part of the culture and taxes are often not paid. Don't expect that independents can afford your kind of business.

Reply
Christine
8/23/2013 04:47:20 am

Well put Pam! Thanks!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Christine Little has been ranked #5​ out of the 60 top rug hooking bloggers by Rug Hooking Magazine!

    Picture
    Picture
    Max Anderson, Australia, recipient of my Nova Scotia Treasures rug.  An award of excellence for promoting Canada through his writing.  
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    July 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Picture
    Picture
    Gift Certificates are available for that special rug hooker in your life!  Any denomination, no expiry date! 

    Picture

    Categories
    (Click on the categories for past blogs)

    All
    Announcements
    Beginner Class
    Christmas
    Colour Planning
    Contests
    Copyright
    Coupon
    Customer Rugs
    Cutter Servicing
    Dyeing
    Equipment
    Featured Hooker
    Giveaway Draw
    Guest Blogger
    Guest Blogger
    Health & Fitness
    Home & Heart
    Hooked Rugs
    Hooking Groups
    Hook In Talk
    Initially Yours
    Jibber Jabber
    Just A Bit Of Fun!
    Life's Experiences
    Life's Experiences
    New Design
    New Ideas
    Pattern Of The Week
    Patterns Hooked
    Pets
    Rants
    Recipes
    Rememberingfbe7326ff7
    Rug Schools
    Show & Tell
    Show-tell
    The Rant
    Tips Technique
    Tips Techniquef0cd117ab4
    Visitors
    Workshops

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture





















    Picture
    We have a pot to "Fiz" in!

Shop Hours:
Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 
Saturdays 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
We are closed during ice and snow storms
​so please call ahead.  If school is cancelled we probably are as well.  

Toll Free: 1-855-624-0370
Local: 1-902-624-0370​
encompassingdesigns@gmail.com

498 Main Street
P.O. Box 437
Mahone Bay, N.S.
Canada B0J 2E0

​Follow us and keep up to date
on our specials, new products
​and events!
Picture
Picture
Picture


Home
Shop
Ordering
Blog
Our Story
Workshops

Contact Us




​​​© Copyright 2023 Encompassing Designs. Website by SKYSAIL