Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Everyone,
George Shephard (Fingerstyle & Drum Pro Magazines) and I have gotten together and produced a NEW webinar/seminar series on Taxation for Musicians/luthiers/small business. It is a recorded webinar that comes with an ebook, lots of other info/forms etc. We even walk you thru a sample income tax return step by step. The price is very reasonable. We feel it is a real help to all even those of you using a preparer. Comes with a 100% money back Guarrantee. Get some FREE tax tips and Check it out at

Tax Tips and our WEBINAR/SEMINAR

THANKS FOR LOOKING!
DAVID S BLAND, CPA, LUTHIER

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Looks quite interesting, Dave. It'd be nice to have a direct link to the seminar product, though.

OK Dave, it's that time of year and I'm going to take you up on the annual offer of free tax tips. I have a question.

I have a piece of depreciated business equipment (a bandsaw) that I bought used about 9 years ago. It's fair market value is more than I paid for it (this is my 36" Oliver of 1940's vintage, so there isn't a current model on the market, but I've seen a few similar used ones on Ebay and at used machinery dealers).

I'm thinking about donating it to a tax exempt educational institution. They say donations are deductable. The question is how much can I deduct? Do I need an appraisal, and from whom? I would guess that a fair estimate of value is about $4000, although that is about double what I paid, and it has been capitalized and depreciated, although I'm not sure offhand by how much.

Thanks mucho for any advice.

Howard

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Don't get ripped off by a tax preparer who does not specialize in music industry tax returns...

Isn't that a little over the top?

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

Carlton,
the website is www.taxformshelp.com and www.taxforms411.com

Howard, I no longer offer free tax advice on the forum. I will give some free advice to you. Please see your inbox.

John, Sorry to hear you didn't like our advertising script. Please let George Shephard know directly at george@cdipublications.com he wrote all the advertising. I sincerely hope you buy the package. It is loaded with great info, forms, examples, and tips. We produced in easy to understand language and even provide an example of a real life tax return and walk you thru it step by step. I don't know of any other program out there that does That! Plus a 100% money back guarrantee.

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

[QUOTE=Dave-SKG] Carlton,
the website is www.taxformshelp.com and www.taxforms411.com[/QUOTE]
Still can't find a link without signing up for something. I'm probably not the only one who is annoyed by that.

That's understandable, Dave, and thanks for the research tips in your PM.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Carlton,
You're not signing up for anything. It's just a way for us to keep a handle on who is visiting the site. You want the FREE tips but you can't even give your name and email address? You are annoyed? It's not like we are asking for a credit card or physical mailing address. It isn't anything you wouldn't give on a lot of other sites. Hey you have to do that here don't you? Please don't be annoyed...I promise I will never email you

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Howard please read more mail I sent you in P.M.

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

bump

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

...and now, back to our regular programming

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

[QUOTE=Dave-SKG] Carlton,
You're not signing up for anything. It's just a way for us to keep a handle on who is visiting the site. You want the FREE tips but you can't even give your name and email address? You are annoyed? It's not like we are asking for a credit card or physical mailing address. [/QUOTE]
Dave, my friend, don't shoot the messenger. What if I (or others who haven't bothered to say so) don't want the free tips? What if I just want to find out how much the full program costs, and what it includes--anonymously? And no, I don't sign up for any product on the 'net until I'm ready to buy.

Please understand that I have no doubt you are a trustworthy person, or that your program is anything less than claimed. I just wanted to let you know that there are people who need to have everything on the table before signing anything.

I don't mean to be a headache, Dave, and you don't need to respond to this. It's just meant as an FYI.

Carlton's advice is pretty good. I haven't looked at the site, but needing
to register is usually what will turn people away if they don't have an
actual taste of what they're doing it for. It's not giving the info, it's just
the minute it takes, probably the email they'll have to then check,
then getting redirected back to the site to confirm they indeed spent
the minute to type in all that information to begin with. And God forbid,
some illegible group of squiggly numbers and letters to recreate
accurately the first two times before having their account frozen.

My twenty-cents is that people want to know your site's about them, not
your development. Make it easy for them to want it, and they probably
will.

I had an idea last week for a site geared towards teachers. Making
overheads is a real PTA. Making them look like something a cat DIDN'T
throw up is even more of one. My idea was for a site that they could go
to, enter they text, click enter, and have a PDF generated for free. No
deep-seeded navigation, no unfocused resources, just a free interface
front and center without a splash page that comes before it. One click
from a free PDF. All about them. And if they're inclined, they can check
out some well-developed materials to purchase by clicking another tab,
but only if they're inclined. The only thing they'd HAVE to do is what they
wanted to do in the first place.

Hi Carlton,
I am in no way shooting the messinger. When you asked for a direct link to the site...I thought you wanted the actual URL. Which I supplied. You then stated that you didn't want to sign up for anything and you felt "annoyed". I guess you are a Lot like me because I get annoyed pretty easily too. The only reason,George tells me, that he asks for an email address, and name and phone number is to weed out the tire kickers from real prospective buyers. I thought it was to gather site data...I was wrong...he told me he has very sophisticated software that can tell me everything about who has been to the site including what color your socks are ( kidding of course).
NOW here's the kicker...you can enter ANY name, email address, phone #. There is NO validity check being done.
SO your point is well taken. Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on how you look at it), I have to trust my partner who knows much much more than I when it comes to marketing on the internet. I do trust him. I do appreciate your feedback.
So anyway...please re-visit the site, type in anything you like and take a look at the next page.
THANKS
Dave

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Hi Mr. Orr,
How are you? That's good advice. I agree with most of what you said. Only I'm not the marketing man, my partner George Shephard from Fingerstyle Mag, is. He is in charge of all that end/stuff. It's really not that much info that's being asked for...take a look...you commented before even looking. It's simply a name,email address, and a phone number.NONE of which has any validity check on it so you can basically type in anything you want to get to the next page. Please know I do value everone's feedback, this is all new to me. I pass along all your comments to George. If you would like to email him yourself his email address is george@cdipublications.com I am sure he can better explain the "whys" of what is being done.
Thanks for your comment(s). Please keep them comming, I do appreciate them all (good or bad).
Dave

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Hey Dave

That's understandable. Just trying to help. I'm not a marketer, but I
enjoy thinking through strategies. When you have an open door, more
people come through. I hope you guys have success.

Thanks for the explanation, Dave.

I know...and as I said...I really appreciate any and all comments!

Thanks guys,
Dave

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

just in case anyone wants...you can by-pass the login by typing anything in the boxes. the system will take you to the next/order page.


Thanks!

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

What was it Peter Sellers used to say "it is a...boomp"

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

another

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave...Is it safe to assume that you'll continue to keep bumping this thread until April 15? It's beginning to feel like an annoying infomercial.

I've never even seen a payng sponsor advertise this much in the Main Discussion Forum.

Is it just me or does anyone else feel that this thread falls under the category of "shameless promotion?"

All due apologies if our forum leaders have given prior permission or think that this is acceptable. If it's acceptable then a lot of people might choose to advertize the contents of their garage for sale and keep bumping it.

Now can we return to our regularly scheduled programming?

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

[QUOTE=JJ Donohue] Dave...Is it safe to assume that you'll continue to keep bumping this thread until April 15? It's beginning to feel like an annoying infomercial.

I've never even seen a payng sponsor advertise this much in the Main Discussion Forum.

Is it just me or does anyone else feel that this thread falls under the category of "shameless promotion?"

All due apologies if our forum leaders have given prior permission or think that this is acceptable. If it's acceptable then a lot of people might choose to advertize the contents of their garage for sale and keep bumping it.

Now can we return to our regularly scheduled programming?

[/QUOTE]

JJ,
The above comment is so ridiculous I almost wasn't going to respond. It is so erroneous it's laughable. If you want to attack me, do so in a private message or better yet, face to face.
Let's look at it more closely:

1) Your assuming I am "going to continue to bump.." Yes I am. Whats wrong with that? You are complaining about me bumping a seminar on taxation for roughly a three week period? My product, unlike the MANY OTHERS for sale here, Is of SEASONAL NATURE, You don't need it in JUNE. If you don't like the thread don't read it.
2) You make mention of "paid Sponsors not even..." I was a sponsor of this forum since the first day Lance started it. I have assisted Lance, professionaly without Charge many times. I have given $100's of dollars in both cash (and donations of items to auctions) since. I am a current, paid member. I don't know what you have given, or what you "think" entitles you the right to critisize others, but maybe you can fill us all in.
3) "Your appolgies to the forum leaders" I think you meant to say "owners" not "leaders". Of course I gave Lance the respect due him and asked for permission to post this thread. HE was the one that suggested I post in the main forum ( after all this seminar is related to the luthier as well as the musician and both are businessmen). Some of us are actually "in the business". HE wished me "Best of Luck!".

Finally, you are so upset about my thread that you try to "rally" other members to log in and denounce what I am doing. "Others might follow suit" and what? the whole place will just collapse?

You should seriously think about your comments and intentions for posting them.

None the less...I forgive you...

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Whew! Its going to be one of those crazy weeks I can tell

Guys, I did give Dave permission to post this here, and in this forum. I do think this pertains to lutherie, and I have no problem with it being bumped to the top. Its one thread, if you don't want to follow it, that's cool. But please understand that this was posted with my blessings.

I am not asking for a responce here, just an FYI

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