Walko Workbench DRAW sign up (ON HOLD)

[Brice Burrell]

Sorry for the delay in announcing the alternative second prize. The winner of the second will get their choice between the PC 680 router (used, like new) or a FastCap Chop Shop (used, great condition). The Chop Shop is a miter saw hood to help catch the dust produced by the saw also works with tile wet saws. I will be offering another choice, the winner can place the item of their choice on the classified section here on the FOG (or on other site's) to sell the item. I can ship directly to buyer so the winner won't have to pay to ship the item to the buyer. It's the winner's prize so there won't be any hard feelings if the winner want to sell their prize. Good luck to everyone!

Picture of the Chop Shop.
[attachthumb=#]

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Morning,
Sorry I have not had time to be part of this.  But I wanted to at least jump in and say that this is great what you're doing.

From running the monthly contests, I appreciate how much goes into making an effort like this work.

It will be interesting to see how it all turn out.

Thanks again,
Matthew

 

[nickao]

Okay there is one for today, thanks Hans!

Yesterday(3/22/2009)was the only day to date with zero people jumping in so lets make today two or more, come on join the fun!!

We are up to 43 online entries already! Someone care to make it 44   

At the end Dan can add in the other payment methods, I can only verify what I have personally received.

If you paid me and you are not on the list please email me your information.

  1) James Kirkpatrick
  2) HARRY A MCFADIN   
  3) Bijesh Jacob
  4) Peter Millard
  5) Daniel Norrstam
  6) Neil Clemmons
  7) Wayne Nagle
  8  Thomas D Stoner
  9) J Londrigan
10) Robert Robinson
11) Steven M. Walls
12) Alfred J. Nativio III
13) Nickao
14) Ed Balaschak
15) Michael Crest
16) Lowell Spencer
17) ALAN M MOHR
18) Bj?rn Meldgaard
19) Lyman Jakahi
20) Noland R Miller
21) Gerald L. Work
22) Peter W Kuhlman
23) Per-Henrik Lundblom
24) J VAN STEENBERGEN
25) Michael Phillips
26) John M. Cady
27) Julia Lambert
28) Carl A Flansbaum
29) Charles S Wilson
30) Jonas Vikstr?m
31) Christopher Camp
32) STEPHEN T MACINTYRE
33) David Figueroa
34) Peter Halle
35) Thomas V Luce
36) MR TARIQ AHMED
37) Uffe Mulvad Beeg-Kaagaard
38) J K Fitzsimons
39) Frank Shannon
40) John Langevin
41) Russell Tribby
42) Timothy P Wright
43) Hans Mertens

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Evening,
OK everyone, I know this is going to seem like it's coming out of the blue, but here goes...

I have heard from a trusted source that this lottery, while well-intentioned, may be in violation of certain laws.  Lotteries are governed by rather strict regulations and rules about permits, and there can be hefty penalties for violations.

I don't understand the laws myself, but I wouldn't want any of us getting into trouble because of a kind-hearted endeavor.

I know we have several lawyers who are members of the FOG.  If any of you understands lottery laws, feel free to offer some insight!

In the meantime, we need to suspend this effort until we can get more clarity.

I apologize for this.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[sw1211]

We had a fundraiser for one of my kids sports team not too long ago and we were going to have a lottery, we were told as long as we called it a drawing and not a lottery we were ok.

 

[nickao]

okay thats fine BUT

I am wondering how something like this could ever be regulated as Henrik is in another country, I am in another country and state than the others etc. Who or what agency can possibly do anything? It would have to be on Henrik's end as I am collecting the money and paying taxes on my service.

I already said I would eat the taxes and show the submissions as income  so how could there be any issue at all? Someone just did this on the internet and sold 50.00 tickets for a 400,000.00 house near here so I really do not think I am breaking any local laws in IL as this is NON profit, I am paying taxes on the drawing proceeds which I probably do not have too anyway and am claiming all the proceeds I get as income for my business so I am sure this is fine.

When someone finds out let me know as I would have to refund the  transactions.

I mean heck 500.00? That's a joke no one is going to do anything on this, people are losing millions and people are getting paid millions on our bail out money, I hardly think this is an issue worth anyone's time at all. At the very most I can get audited big deal it will not hurt me and you said you are not involved and clearly state that here so you are scott free.

I would love to see any agency come down on us when people are losing their homes left and right and we are running a very nice drawing and helping one anopther, I actually invite someone to call me, my number is on my web site, I am glad to speak to anyone or any agency that has a concern. Trying to help one of our own to get a tool cheap is a GOOD thing in these times so I really think we are doing right, both morally and legally. What else could anyone want other than tax money and Income shown for someone?

I do believe any laws people may be thinking of are for cash payments and larger than 500.00 or even larger, ie an amount needed to file a tax return. At most the winner may have to pay taxes based on a used item to their own home state and I doubt that as well.

Could you see this making the news with any government agency wasting time on this right now?

 

[nickao]

NO MORE DRAWING SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Any days we miss should be added to make a full 30 days when Matthew gives us the go ahead to start back up.

If Matthew has to cancel this I will refund monies minus my fees and or just run this same thing through my web site or another way.

This is a good, honest and well meaning idea and we should not stop without actually being stopped and called out on it. The internet is not governed by many of the state laws as we all know so anyone I call here in IL will just tell me that, I am sure. I'll find out what I can here by calling my attorney tomorrow. I will trust him for the IL part of this equation.

Who told you this Matthew ? I am sure my attorney will ask first thing where the heat is coming from.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Nick,
Thank you for understanding.  If you do speak with your lawyer, please report back on what you hear.

I really don't like having to suspend a kind-hearted effort like this, and if there is a way to go forward without worries I would be fine.  To be on the safe side, let's just keep the lottery in suspended animation while we check on it.

We had a fundraiser for one of my kids sports team not too long ago and we were going to have a lottery, we were told as long as we called it a drawing and not a lottery we were ok.

Maybe this can be informative for us.  Did you experience the same questions I am raising here?  Did you get advice from a lawyer to specifically call it a drawing?

Again, sorry for this everyone.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[sw1211]

We had a fundraiser for one of my kids sports team not too long ago and we were going to have a lottery, we were told as long as we called it a drawing and not a lottery we were ok.

Maybe this can be informative for us.  Did you experience the same questions I am raising here?  Did you get advice from a lawyer to specifically call it a drawing?

Again, sorry for this everyone.

Thanks,
Matthew

One of the stores was donating some items for our drawing (raffle/lottery) and when we 1st approached and told them we were having a lottery they said they couldn't donate items to a lottery unless we had a copy of a lottery license to give them.  As soon as we re-named it to a drawing they donated some items.  We didn't get any lawyers involved.

 

[robtonya]

We had a fundraiser for one of my kids sports team not too long ago and we were going to have a lottery, we were told as long as we called it a drawing and not a lottery we were ok.

Maybe this can be informative for us.  Did you experience the same questions I am raising here?  Did you get advice from a lawyer to specifically call it a drawing?

Again, sorry for this everyone.

Thanks,
Matthew

One of the stores was donating some items for our drawing (raffle/lottery) and when we 1st approached and told them we were having a lottery they said they couldn't donate items to a lottery unless we had a copy of a lottery license to give them.  As soon as we re-named it to a drawing they donated some items.  We didn't get any lawyers involved.

I've heard the same thing for a school fundraiser. You can obtain a licence for a lottery, but you can change the wording, and then it is fine.

 

[Tinker]

I recall somebody questioning this way back when>>>>>>>  i think he was an old Connecticut Yankee if i remember correctly
He got shot down pretty quickly.  I'm glad to see somebody else is concerned.
Nick, you really should check with your lawyer.  I know your heart is in the right place, as with the rest of us. 

As a matter of fact, your research with attorney will be of benefit to all of us for future (whatever we need to call it)
I think you should take that expense out of what is being sent to you.  I, for one, would not complain one bit.

Yes, the tax collectors are looking for the big fish, but this day and age, the big fishys seem to be going scott free.
Logic seems to have been thrown under the bus for the time being.

I've been self employed since I was in HS way back in the 40's. (that's years of 40's as in 1940's  I've been learning forever, but was out of HS long before I was in my 40's  8) ) i've had some crazy experiences with IRS, believe me.
The funniest thing was, when I first went into construction biz, I was audited by IRS 6 times in firtst 15 years.  With each audit, they ended up owing me money.  They finally figured either I was to smart or to dumb.  With the last audit, i had received over 1500 back until they decided they had made a mistook.  When they finished their research, they ended up owing me another 2000 on top of what they had already returned.  I thought that was pretty funny. Last year, i thought I was losing money and ended up with biggest tax bill ever in my life.  It just never makes any sense.  Do your research.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Hi all,
my gf accidentally swept the laptop off the table and broke it - so I only have sporadic internet availability at the moment  :-[ and I can't afford getting a new one (...or the one I want) just now.

I was wondering at an early stage whether this (lets call it draw would pose any problems.
As I see it it is:
a) Not public. Draw is only open to forum members, and is international.
b) Non profit. All excess goes into a donation to the forum.
c) Internet based. An internet based draw, where does it legally stand? I could do the draw in my living room in Sweden, then any US authority wouldn't have much to say though I have a hard time seeing why they would be interested. People signing up for a draw abroad can't fall under their jurisdiction - especially if it is a non-profit, internet based international draw. 

But if any problem arises I would like to know. 

In the mean time I would like to announce the THIRD PRICE:
A Blue Talmeter and a Bahco chisel of good quality. Width of the chisel depending on which spare I can dig up, to be announced. Maybe a little extra something from the gadget bag.

 

[meldgaard]

Hi Henrik

Sorry to hear about your laptop. It is one of these things that you really miss when its gone.

To those unfamiliar with the 'talmeter' (could be translated to 'numbermeter') you can read more about it on talmeter.co.uk. I have had my blue talmeter for many years and use it all the time. Would actually be glad if I won since I could easily use more than one  ;D

/bjoern

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Good Evening,
I just renamed this topic according to our discussion recently.  It is a "DRAW."
Thanks everyone,
Matthew

 

[balrog]

Change this contest from a random game of chance  to a game of skill by asking some easy questions. If you get it correct, you are entered into the drawing for a prize.

I would suggest not to use raffle, drawing or contest in the subject line for Pay Pal. Maybe just use Walko instead.

I am not a lawyer. You should still check with one.

 

[Tinker]

I think that Nick is actually on the right track in some ways.  He is covering himself for the taxes.  I am concerned that he could be putting himself into a higher tax bracket. I don't really know, nor do I want to know. In these unpredictable times, that could be a problem that could come back and bite Nick.  I have no idea what his income is, and it is none of our business, but I do know how much tax can fluxuate as a result of small income changes.  There have been some strange tax laws that have been passed over the past dozen or so years that have had quite confusing results for small business.  I do not understand them at all.  I pay my accountant (who, since I have gone to him, I have never been audited.) to stay on top of those problems.  Nick has been making sure to stay "clean" and I think his veracity will keep this whole thing out of trouble as far as the FOG is concerned.  He is doing a good job with his record keeping being above board.  His honest method, tho, could make him vulnerable.  That worries me.

I am not involved in any sort of financial business.  I have been a self employed registered business owner for well over 50 years (under the table for many years before being made "legal")  and have made my share of mistooks that have cost me tax wise.  I have had some advise along the way that i totally did not understand the reasoning for.  The way things are developing of late, i can see I am not alone in my lack of understanding tax laws.  I don't think those who are laying them down understand either.  But that is fodder for another forum.  The point is, I could be FOS and just blowing smoke.  I hope so.
Tinker

 

[robtonya]

Any updates? I was actually looking forward to this draw, or whatever you want to call it.

 

[HowardH]

Just saw this.  I'm in! 

 

[jakiiski]

With my limited understanding of at least the Finnish taxation system, the only interest would be shown to the one who receives the price, not the sender itself.  For example if someone were to send something outside of EU to EU, the local tax & toll officers would be collecting the VAT + potential customs/toll. This would be at least the case in Finland.

For the Walko workbench the winner might have to pay for the government around 700 eur * 0.02-0.03 (customs) + 700*0.22 (VAT). This 700 euro ballpark would be an the estimate the authorities could/would use for valuing the workbench, could be less as it's used (but then how much, depends how friendly the customs officer is feeling). So, in worst case to "receive" the workbench you might have to pay 175 eur. (Yes, the government takes it's piece of everything in the Nordic welfare countries - it's either this or you pay for your healtcare and education).

(small update) Note however that due to EU laws on free transport of people and goods, if Henrik sends it to someone within EU, there's absolutely no customs/tax issues as far as I can see, since within EU it's all totally free.

 

[nickao]

Guys anyone who paid me through Google do me a HUGE favor and respond to the google reviews and give me some star ratings please if you feel I emailed you fast and made clear what you were getting. 5 Stars would be good!

Thanks to the people that have already!

Nick

Still waiting on the lawyer so far the response is there is no law I am breaking and unless someone files a complaint there is no agency the lawyer can think of that would want anything to do with it and wait until something happens to respond. Basically saying just get on with it and deal with the fallout if it comes. In his opinion it never will, if it does he has my back.

I am waiting until his secretary does some research on the IL laws pertaining to giveaways by individuals.

Matthew does need to write in his terms that he does not warrant or back or is any way involved with the sales, affiliations etc or warrant  any of the posters comments or deem them as true etc.

.