It wasn’t quite obvious not-DMS was selling items during the proposed maker sale too, no?
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There were questions, Makers can sell their work thru a
website roe Etch or shows,
I want to do some more research on how 501 C 3s can host
sales events, One of the spaces featured in the review of other
space hosted a co op Etsy store for members,
Adding a business card is not selling, it just contact info,
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The rules for ‘selling’ stuff from the cabinet are as of yet unfinished, however, one of the general concepts is that if a widget is sold and removed from the cabinet, another will not be taking its place. It’s NOT a place to make money, but if an item is sold because of the exposure that comes from the cabinet, then that’s great. Even with a back on it, security won’t exactly be Fort Knox, so I’d suggest things of minimal cash value.
Also - My current thinking is that I would prefer to not have prices: This isn’t a sales cabinet, but if someone wants to buy or commission something, they should know how to get ahold of the person who created the item.
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Would it be kosher to have a place/shelf/stand up front for DMS makers’ business cards? Or a sheet with people’s websites and other contact info and a blurb about who they are/what they do in a “take one” stand? Or even a place on DMS website wiki where this is listed and general public could find on their own by searching or browsing DMS website? I realize last may be a step too far…
BTW, I don’t sell or try to sell anything I ruin make, so no vested interest in decision…just thought for food.
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This is a cool idea. I would like to get business cards from DMS members who have their own businesses. I like to support other DMS members first.
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There is always the bulletin board for a flyer / card…
Plus the "Help Line" near the lobby just outside of 3D Fab...
https://talk.dallasmakerspace.org/t/helpline-at-the-space/17072?u=lisaselk
And, a couple of other related threads:
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I think an online solution sounds better than a physical one to me for this, but am open to having my mind changed on that. It would be much easier to search through, people wouldn’t run out of cards and then want to take up multiple slots, it’s easier to monitor…
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I think Adam is right.
I also think the “helpline” needs to be electronic as well. I think it could be a cool DMS SMS application. Conceptually, the paper version works. It is not searchable. It could even have alerts for categories where “you” have an interest. For people not at DMS, it is worthless. There are aging issues with requests and completions that the paper version does not handle. I think a variation on the storage software might be useful. A request would post for 2 weeks then an SMS would go to the originator sayings, “Keep open?”. A positive response would keep it open. A “no response” or negative response would delete the request.
Maybe we need an electronic business card “Rolodex”. Searchable. Online. Maintained. Follow the format of the helpline suggested above.
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Agreed! I look at it when I’m there but would love to see it when I’m not.
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A Trello board may be useful for people to post help request as cards.
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Having a display cabinet in the front lobby was one of the first things I wanted to see when I first toured DMS. This is a great way to show visitors the possibilities of what they can do, and the more variety, the better!
It doesn’t need to be a selling space, and doesn’t have to display prices; but if makers can add their business cards/names/web sites next to their display, then interested parties know where to go to purchase if they want. Keeps DMS free of sales issues, but still promotes the skills and learning possibilities.
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I’d even limit it to the Makers name and contact. Keep it to bare minimum in terms commercial transaction. If someone is interested, then they’ll contact the person.
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Name, phone number & email?
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They also have to display their bank account number, social security number, mother’s maiden name, primary passwords, etc.
Or the maker form: name, committee and RFID number…
Has Makerspace considered adding a dedicated position / chair for web sales? It would seem to me a conduit to help members sell their goods on the web would perpetuate the space. Classes would include courses on general small business, web sales strategy, collections, etc. The chair would maintain a sales website for members that haven’t reached a commercial sales level or independant business level and after an administrative or listing fee, proceeds could be routed to pay the member’s monthly dues as we do with teaching honorariums. Sticky part would be some sort of waiver keeping DMS out of all sales disputes but as ETSY and EBAY do it, seems doable.
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This does not work within guidelines.
It makes DMS a store responsible for YOUR product and YOUR sales and worse, your returns. Think about the money co-mingling. What are your return policies. How does a refund work? Etc.
I am pretty sure this would violate our 501©3 status which would then make us a for profit entity. Yikes.
Inurement. For those selling, they get special opportunities. For those not selling, they do not have that financial opportunity. More trouble.
Meanwhile, having a SIG for craft sales would be cool. That is well within DMS guidelines. The people interested can talk about sales opportunities, frustrations, and having joint booths at choosen events.
We have had several events for Amazon sellers.
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I am interested in joining a SIG for craft sales. I have too much going on to be responsible for the SIG though.
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As a non-profit, we can have incidental sales for the Corporation, e.g. mugs and tee shirts. But running a website, with items for sale might be stretch, unless there were a very healthy percentage that is given to DMS, then it might be considered a fund raiser. They rules typically speak about “donated” property being sold.
Some references for your reading pleasure:
Section 51. Fund-Raising Activities The IRS recognizes fundraising:
4.76.51.2 (12-13-2013)
Background
** Most, if not all, tax exempt organizations need money. Many exempt purposes can only be achieved via the application of money. Thus, large numbers of organizations devote significant resources to acquiring money. These organizations employ a variety of methods to obtain funds, ranging from selling a product or service, conducting a fund-raising event, to just asking for money.**
** Traditional methods of obtaining funds include soliciting donors via the mail, phone calls, newspapers, radio, television, and now via the Internet. Organizations have become creative over the years, conducting activities and events, such as the sales of foodstuffs, car washes, raffles, casino nights, auctions, and pledge drives, evolving towards more sophisticated means of fund-raising, such as targeted solicitations, the use of patronage levels, crowd-funding, and tax planning considerations, such as conservation easements, lending arrangements, and charitable gift annuities.**
I highlighted auction because we are doing one with donated materials and should be safe harbored by this IRS document.
I think if an article on display has creator’s name (reasonable), description (reasonable), and a contact such as a phone number or email (email to be overly cautious, I’d advise shouldn’t have business name). If that is all, I think it would be fine. People “know” what it means and can contact the creator and work out any business arrangement outside of DMS, but making clear DMS is in no way involved in the transaction.
I’ve seen some beautiful items - I’d love to have bought some items I’ve seen but too poor to even make a non-insulting offer. But DMS isn’t a gallery.
I personally would like to see a way to have Maker Trade Fairs, just not sure how to do it.
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Is mine too ‘racy’ to display. I ask because I once got kicked out of the old man do nothing group which is the N. TX CNC group for similar work. But I figure DMS is more open minded. This is cut in brass and is 3" tall. It is the positive version of one of my embossing plates and cut on the HAAS today.
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