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Never was tempted to turn anyone in until now, LOL

post #1 of 11
3/31/12 at 12:07pm
Thread Starter 
Just an itty bitty vent. I've joined a local "sales" facebook page for members to sell gently used clothing, toys, furniture, and children's and household items. Yet, every time I log in this past week, someone new is advertising sales of cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. It was amusing at first, but the numbers are climbing and people are actually interested in ordering. The prices these people charge are less than Walmart.....just nuts
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post #2 of 11
3/31/12 at 12:14pm
Have the same thing here in my area. I asked my HD guy about it and he said he didn't have time to patrol all the sites with people selling stuff out of their house. But he DOES have time to make sure all my fees are paid, that's for sure. To say it's frustrating is an understatement.
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post #3 of 11
3/31/12 at 12:35pm
No need to worry about "turning someone in"... if they're charging prices that low, they will soon discover they are making less than nothing and either quit or raise their prices. It didn't take me long to figure out that charging what the grocery store charges was putting me in the hole!
I'm so addicted to cake my family threatened to check me into the Betty Crocker Clinic.
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I'm so addicted to cake my family threatened to check me into the Betty Crocker Clinic.
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post #4 of 11
3/31/12 at 2:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amberwaves

Have the same thing here in my area. I asked my HD guy about it and he said he didn't have time to patrol all the sites with people selling stuff out of their house. But he DOES have time to make sure all my fees are paid, that's for sure. To say it's frustrating is an understatement.
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Mine basically said the same thing. He said "What I wonder about though is the customers? Why would they buy a cake from someone in an apartment? ANd if someone got sick they'd be in huge trouble" So unless a CUSTOMER reports it or says they got sick, they won't do anything.
Started my business legally February 2012! Commercial kitchen and all!
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Started my business legally February 2012! Commercial kitchen and all!
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post #5 of 11
3/31/12 at 2:35pm
Around here, if you contact the health dept with info on a suspected unlicensed baker they are typically shut down right away.

You would probably be doing this person a favor, since for a small-time offender HDs will usually just tell the person to stop and give them information on what they need to do to become legal.
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My experimental blog: The Bakery Business Perspective
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My experimental blog: The Bakery Business Perspective
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post #6 of 11
3/31/12 at 4:10pm
I must say... There is nothing wrong with buying from someone living in an apartment... if they are legal! In VA we have a cottage food law, which is what I am "playing" under. I am also in process of getting inspected (oh my goodness it is WORK to get all my recipes down and the steps to make them!) I keep my kitchen CLEAN, we have NO pets and we are in one of the best apartments in our area... (ok bee is out of my bonnet)
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post #7 of 11
3/31/12 at 4:28pm
omg pebbles! icon_surprised.gif u should PM me! Where are you? if you don't want to say here....because I am going through the SAME thing.

it seems like for my area people don't even know baking out of their homes is not legal icon_sad.gif they basically argue with me when I tell them what the law is...but if they don't advertise it's fine :p

actually, it's those types of postings that helped me to make a decision NOT to do it out of my home anymore because it's too many people doing it out of their homes in my area. i don't know how it's possible but with the ignorance it urks me!
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #8 of 11
3/31/12 at 5:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ANDaniels

I must say... There is nothing wrong with buying from someone living in an apartment... if they are legal! In VA we have a cottage food law, which is what I am "playing" under. I am also in process of getting inspected (oh my goodness it is WORK to get all my recipes down and the steps to make them!) I keep my kitchen CLEAN, we have NO pets and we are in one of the best apartments in our area... (ok bee is out of my bonnet)



I am sorry. My intention wasn't to put anyone down who bakes in an apartment. It isn't legal here. That's all I meant icon_wink.gif The lady I mentioned specifically lived in an apartment. But I meant anyone baking illegally in their home.
Started my business legally February 2012! Commercial kitchen and all!
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Started my business legally February 2012! Commercial kitchen and all!
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post #9 of 11
3/31/12 at 10:03pm
If the HD won't take care of it, contact the state tax dept and the IRS. Both have field offices in most towns. They both take these contacts, visit their homes and do field work to collect evidence before the visit. This is one of the primary jobs of the field offices. Not only do the not have HD licenses, but it is a fact that most of these businesses run under the radar of tax departments.

Business is business. It is your right to do what you need to do to protect that business. Because baking businesses are run primarily by women, you will get the "karma" card and the "mind your own business" card, but in other industries that require specialty licenses, unlicensed businesses get reported regularly. One of the best examples is the construction business. Let an unlicensed contractor bid on a job and that person gets reported 5 minutes after a licensed contractor finds out. Another example is the hair salon and cosmetology business, including nails. They report anyone they know when the inspectors show up. Don't feel bad if it is what is right for your business. Protect your investment. All reporting can be done anonymously.

And for anyone who wants to argue the tax issue, those stats came from the IRS Criminal Fraud Dept.
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post #10 of 11
4/2/12 at 12:16pm
So did you turn them in?
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post #11 of 11
4/2/12 at 7:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Quote:

So did you turn them in?



Oh good grief, no. I just said that I was tempted not that I was planning on doing it, LOL. These homebakers are multiplying though, more and more of them are posting. Just never thought of advertising on the virtual "yard sale."
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