THAsia,



Then they would no longer be "stamp hobbyists" but "stamp ranchers" or "stamp dealers." Most folks who hobby coins and stamps don't usually sell their collections. They are usually passed down to their heirs. Folks who buy and sell coin and stamp collections are usually considered "dealers." Now, there are exceptions but my point still stands unscathed.



It all has to do with how you define and categorize things. I explained how herp "hobbyists" try and pigeon-hole themselves as "recreational" and "non-commercial." There are many reasons for that. I tend to think that they are home businesses and/or second incomes. Further, I do think that most folks "enjoy" their home business but it can't be categorized as done in their "leisure." Leisure is defined as "Freedom from time-consuming duties or activities." I would say that taking care of and breeding live animals is a duty and time consuming. You can't forget about your animals for a month, like you can with coins and stamps, and then come back and "hobby" with them because they would be dead.



They could just be pets. But when you start breeding them you are now a "pet breeder" or "pet rancher." And then when you sell the offspring you are now commercializing in a commodity. You are a "commercial seller." If you buy as well, you are a "commercial dealer."



Isn't it funny how they have definitions for activities? They can all be found in a dictionary.



I think we need to start telling the truth about this "industry" and define the activities of the folks participating in it. If we can come clean, be honest and come together we might be able to save this "industry." And BTW "industry" is defined as "Commercial production and sale of goods."



Mike Welker

El Paso, TX

[ Show Entire Thread ]