Gas reaches it's all time high...THIS SUCKS!

[lonewolf]

About my quarterly taxes...I pay $900 so I don't get penalized for making too much money.

Here's what you do. Get your 2003 tax forms and find the line that tells you the tax owed to the IRS. Divide that number by 4 and that's legally all you have to pay them per quarter.

[bassist_25]

It's pretty sad when a Gas Topic turns to fisticuffs.

It's funny that people will go to prison for assult just so they can prove their alphaness.

Madhatter - thumbs up on the Timothy Leary avatar.

[Dave]

I also pay a monthly 6% for the service tax on my maint. work. There is another $400 - $500...I'm the one sweeting my balls off, not these corporate bullies. I think I have every right to be upset with the way the ball is rolling. It wasn't until 1993 that the gov't started making landscapers pay the 6% service tax.

I think you missed my point. You don't pay the 6%, you collect it for the state. You are supposed to be chargin the customer the $1.20 tax per $20.00 lawn you mow. Yes, taxes suck, but ALL landscape businesses have to pay it. When that tax was enacted for your service business, all the other landscape businesses had to start charging it as well. It shouldn't have made a difference as far as making you any less competitive. Sales tax does not affect your bottom line for services.

[tonefight]

Kids...Kids!

Fight nice!

Nah, its better entertainment that the TV

[tonefight]

Kids...Kids!

Fight nice!

That's the beauty of cyber-space; people can act like immature jackasses all they want. Message boards are the ultimate stimulation of the Amylgada. Destroy your super ego and embrace your id - that's what I say!

That would probably be better if we were spread out across the country but on here most of us are bound to cross paths at soem point.

[mad hatter]

that why my momma sent me to college.
why not bitch about something worthwhile.
do you bitch because the bank charges you an atm fee?
how about that price on milk, over 3.00 a gallon!!!!!!!!!!!
...and cough medicine..... add it up.......78.00 a gallon.
...and you waste time bitching because you dig dirt and spend 2.01 on gas.

My appoligies, I thought this arrogance, towards a hard working man, was a bit uncalled for.

mad hatter, the only thing i like going down, is your momma

Seriously, WTF!!??

is that your bands name, vertigo?
we'll have to see ya sometime.
you can count on it.

Hmm, sounds like you're threatening me. Well I'm sorry, I'm not looking for a fight. I thought your statement was idiotic and I thought I'd address it. If you're that upset about it, then maybe you need some therapy.

[JayBird]

I do understand all points about the $1.20 for $20.00. In my line of work the customer doesn't really understand having to pay a sales/service tax on cutting grass. So giving flat equal rates works better. I was just using simple numbers and basic math so Sinman could understand!

As for you Sinman...yet another pathetic punk making us all feel a bit dumber. Raising prices...keep raising your prices while everyone else stays the same. I bet you're out of a job faster that you can cash your next paycheck. Go tell Wal-Mart to raise prices and keep up with other raising prices. You f'en loser...Wal-Mart is leading the race because they buy bulk and keep prices low. Your lesson blew up in your face dumbass! I only raise my prices when I'm forced to. I keep my prices competitive because I have to and because I enjoy my customers and don't feel like screwing them over. I'm honest and reliable - word of mouth is my only advertisement - another good way to eliminate cost. You like spending, so you wouldn't understand eliminating costs! Johnny Highschool can come along with mom and dad's mower and cut the $20 lawn for $5.00. He doesn't know any better. How reliable is he though...not very.

[Dave]

I do understand all points about the $1.20 for $20.00. In my line of work the customer doesn't really understand having to pay a sales/service tax on cutting grass. So giving flat equal rates works better. I was just using simple numbers and basic math so Sinman could understand!

They would understand. A while back, computer service was not taxable. When the state changed the law and we had to start charging sales tax on the service we just included a note with the bill explaining that Pennsylvania had changed the sales tax law and now we were required to collect sales tax. Nobody gave us a hard time about it.

Please don't this as anything other than helpfull business advice. I have been in the service business for a few years and I am just trying to pass on some info to a fellow business owner.

I can't believe that nobody commented on the $5.46/gal fuel cost in London.

Cheers!

[JayBird]

Hey Dwertz - I'm fully taking in all that you say - thanks for the knowledge that you're passing on!

[Ron]

I can't believe that nobody commented on the $5.46/gal fuel cost in London.

Dave... when I was recently in Germany, gas was 1.26 euros per liter, which is close to $6.00 per US gallon. Then on top of that, add the 16% sales tax (yes, 16%)! One of my colleages over there owns an old German WWII era Army truck that he runs on the used cooking oil from the company cafeteria. Energy conservation is so important there.

Is the $5.46/gal in US gallons (3.8 l) or English gallons (4.6 l)?

BTW: I still remember that I owe you a shirt.

[bassist_25]

That would probably be better if we were spread out across the country but on here most of us are bound to cross paths at soem point.

Actually, that was just my dry sense of humour kicking it. I don't really promote acts of aggression on a message board.

A word up for anyone in the Clearfield County region: Gas in Houtzdale is the cheapest around. Most places are around $2.03 for 87; gas in Houtzdale is around $1.97. (or at least it was yesterday)

[ToonaRockGuy]

Sheetz in Hollidaysburg is at $1.95 for unleaded. Each grade goes up by a dime from there.

Thank god for a fuel-efficient car and living 5 minutes from work!

[Dave]

Is the $5.46/gal in US gallons (3.8 l) or English gallons (4.6 l)?

I calculated it in US gallons.

A guy I work with just hates it when I tell him that we are better off with fuel costs here as opposed to the rest of the world.

BTW: I still remember that I owe you a shirt.

Cool, I was hoping that you remembered. I know you are a busy guy, I didn't want to bother you.

[esa]

Yeah.. let's go anti car then. All hop on one big bus. Only play at one big bar with various sound proof rooms. And..well.. only work in our own town..cuz we'lre going to converge altoona-ebensburg-johnstown-state college together. Then no more gas issues aside from what you use to fuel your house...so..get a wood burner.. it will all be grand.

We're stuck. Let's face it people. Until we start depending on ourselves for fuel and not having to bend over to oil companies in other nations....
Hell, I wish i was getting kissed. I like getting kissed when I'm getting fk'd.

We should go back to trading systems. Let's barter!

[stonekrow]

When I was in Los Angeles last year the average was about $2.40/gallon, I'm heading there the 3rd week of November so I'll compare. Im off to Dallas in 2 weeks so I'll check there also.

[Sinman]

Jaybird, your right, walmart does buy bulk then undercosts.
sooooooo....... buy out your competition and make more $$$$ while at the same time, lower costs.
that would be the solution to your problem. Not bitch because the gas is too high.
however you redneck losers see it, corporate america will always win over a rinky-dink grass cutter from vintondale.
hell, i could get 7 jr high kids next summer, and run your company out of business in a flash. why? because its a boys business. any homeless man that can see if grass is too high can do that job.
where you went wrong was that you got in a business that doesnt make a liveable wage, and now you vent this anger from the gas prices.
but all you out there can call me names, say that i threatened you, (all i said was i wanted to see a band play, or try too, anyhow) but the bottom line is dont blame gas, or me or anybody for your mistakes.
you had to know 7 years ago, that gas was going to go up.
where the hell do you people come from?
....oh yea, vintondale.

[esa]

I just wanna say I spent 30.27 in gas yesterday. I have a buick..not a four wheel drive. That was the 87 cheapie unleaded fuel. That was at the lowest priced Sheetz I can find.
le-sigh.

I'm just depressed now. I thought I'd share that one with all of y'all.

[stonekrow]

Man, I thought some of the things I posted on here were border line "dick-headed" but geeeeze, Sinman takes the cake. Why are you being a grade "A" cock and tearing Jaybird down? Shouldn't it be considered admirable if a guy goes out and busts his ass for himself and builds a business rather being a slave to the timeclock and trading hours for dollars while some fat assed company bigwig gets richer while you get poorer? I am a small business owner also, 2 businesses, and apparently you have no idea what you're talking about! I've seen some of Jaybirds work and cutting grass is a small fraction of it, you couldn't begin to fathom the complexity of some of the landscapes he puts together. Im paying him next spring to rebuild my yard, fountain, and Rose Arbor because I wouldn't trust anyone else with the job. Do some research into who you're beating up on before you go shooting your mouth off.

[bassist_25]

I guess we all can't be brilliant mechanical engineers.

(I'd rather be a MBA, so I wouldn't be talking about business and economics when I know nothing of either.)

[Sinman]

no, not everyone can be a mechanical engineer.
if so, the supply would be high and the demand low, then my 95,000.00/year position wouldnt exist.

i deal with ecomonics everyday in this field.
the r.s. means cost manuals is what runs construction pricing.
the bible of the business.

[JayBird]

Hey Sinman...you tell me I'm in a business that basically has no real wage or wage of any sustance. Let me post the top 5 landscaping companies in America with their gross income:

The Trugreen 1.3 BILLION
ValleyCrest 670 MILLION
The Brickman Group 349 MILLION
The Davey Tree Expert 346 MILLION
American Civil Cons. 204 MILLION

These five business are catorgorized as lawn care professionals. So you tell me I'm in a business that makes no money...JACKASS!

You make threats about hiring 7 jr. high kids...hmmm...another mistake on your part. Who's mowing for you at this moment while kids are back in school? Sounds like you aren't too reliable. Who's doing your fall cleanup work for you. Can't really run a full work day while kids are in school until 3:00ish. Who is going to do your snow plowing? Who's there for you once Spring rolls around. Go ahead...try putting me out of business. Sounds to me like your game plan is already failing!

I do rather well for myself. I work roughly 30 hours a week and I'd put money on me making in a week what you probably make in a month. Just cause I bitch about gas pricing and the war we have going on right now with that, doesn't mean I hate my job or I chose a career that doesn't pay. This Vintondale boy is doing quite well for himself - 60ish lawns, landscaping projects lined up for 2005 already, enough equipment to run 2 full crews, I have mowers that cost more than the vehicle you drive, etc - and - I don't advertise!

Wait, am I bragging...not really...just feeling proud of my success! It's people like you that don't question the little things that happen in this world. You sit back and get pushed around and before you know it, you'll be the next stastic. Maybe when you're the homeless guy that you mentioned before, I'll hire you to cut some grass!



Hey Eric...thanks for the props!

[Imgrimm01]

Jay & many of the rest of you here , I see your point I pasid $48.00 to fill up on Friday and I have to tell you "It cuts into the fun money for sure" As far as Sinman you all may as well forget it he and I went rounds a few months back and he will not see logic he just tries to bait and annoy ! As far as $95,000 annually and not minding gas prices ... well no matter how much cash someone has they don't wanna part with more than they have to ! Come On Lets be real.

[mad hatter]

So what you're basically saying is, Sinman is a douche bag. Gotcha.

[DisturbedViking]

The cost of living goes up for everyone. Always has, always will. But it does not go the same for all. Like if you are a person that busts their ass at work everyday, always trying to get ahead in your job, move up in the ranks or looking for that better job it might work out for you or not. But for others like the boot licking suits that mommy & daddy paid for all college cost its a lil different. This is why the independent person must speak out, cause if they don't who will.

[DisturbedViking]

NEWS FLASH
Landscaping: It's more than just cutting grass