Comments on: The Screwing of the Good Samaritan - The Problems with eBay’s Giving Works and MissionFish http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/ Internet Safety, Windows Updates, Internet News, and More Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:46:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Spector http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/#comment-1035266 Spector Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:59:29 +0000 /?p=1115#comment-1035266 WOW! Just read this. I just started selling on Ebay and saw the Mission Fish charity option -- what struck me was that Mission Fish takes a 20% cut of the total donation! To my eyes that's just insane! I could understand 3% or maybe 5% but to process payments on behalf of charities they steal, er collect 20%? Could you imagine if credit card processors took that much? It's simply outrageous and that e-Bay would condone this and help market it is disgraceful. I was really looking forward to doing this and donating, but on a $30 sale to donate $5 minimum, then know that the charity only gets $4 of it, it's not worth it. I'll just mail a charity some money. EBay, shame on you! WOW! Just read this. I just started selling on Ebay and saw the Mission Fish charity option — what struck me was that Mission Fish takes a 20% cut of the total donation! To my eyes that’s just insane! I could understand 3% or maybe 5% but to process payments on behalf of charities they steal, er collect 20%? Could you imagine if credit card processors took that much? It’s simply outrageous and that e-Bay would condone this and help market it is disgraceful.

I was really looking forward to doing this and donating, but on a $30 sale to donate $5 minimum, then know that the charity only gets $4 of it, it’s not worth it. I’ll just mail a charity some money.

EBay, shame on you!

]]> By: Sheryl Smith http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/#comment-914079 Sheryl Smith Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:56:21 +0000 /?p=1115#comment-914079 I also object to the amount of fees Missionfish charges. I think it's a bit high. But let's address the other items. 1. Missionfish makes it clear that the seller gets the tax write off, not the buyer. If the seller misunderstood, that's not Missionfish's fault. 2. The charities, such as the Red Cross, must like this system because they sign up for it. They're getting money. 3. When you have a charitable deduction, you deduct 100% of it on your return. This will result in a reduction of taxes based on your tax rate, such as 20%. Yes, a donation of $100 will get you $20 off if you are in the 20% tax bracket. To say that you only get 20% off is misleading and incorrect. 4. Ebay charges you full price for your listing and selling fees, then refunds you a percentage about 1 month later. They do not donate that money to the charity. Seller is confused. I have used Missionfish successfully for years. It has had its bugs, absolutely. But I like selling things for charity, and I like the tax writeoff. I have put my Missionfish work on hold because of the high fees, however. Here's one big advantage to selling using Missionfish. If I sell something for $100, I get a $100 CASH donation to my favorite charity. If I have an item worth $100, I can donate it directly to the charity, but they probably don't want it. I can donate it to a thrift store, and take a value of $100 on it, but the IRS might argue that it wasn't worth $100. Cash donations are not arguable. Hope this helps you all out there. I also object to the amount of fees Missionfish charges. I think it’s a bit high. But let’s address the other items.

1. Missionfish makes it clear that the seller gets the tax write off, not the buyer. If the seller misunderstood, that’s not Missionfish’s fault.
2. The charities, such as the Red Cross, must like this system because they sign up for it. They’re getting money.
3. When you have a charitable deduction, you deduct 100% of it on your return. This will result in a reduction of taxes based on your tax rate, such as 20%. Yes, a donation of $100 will get you $20 off if you are in the 20% tax bracket. To say that you only get 20% off is misleading and incorrect.
4. Ebay charges you full price for your listing and selling fees, then refunds you a percentage about 1 month later. They do not donate that money to the charity. Seller is confused.

I have used Missionfish successfully for years. It has had its bugs, absolutely. But I like selling things for charity, and I like the tax writeoff. I have put my Missionfish work on hold because of the high fees, however.
Here’s one big advantage to selling using Missionfish. If I sell something for $100, I get a $100 CASH donation to my favorite charity. If I have an item worth $100, I can donate it directly to the charity, but they probably don’t want it. I can donate it to a thrift store, and take a value of $100 on it, but the IRS might argue that it wasn’t worth $100. Cash donations are not arguable.
Hope this helps you all out there.

]]> By: John http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/#comment-213606 John Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:51:31 +0000 /?p=1115#comment-213606 I'm shocked that eBay and Paypal are peddling such an outrageous program under the cover of a "giving" program. I suppose I shouldn't be as so many fundraisers take so much of the cause's donation to administrate their own business, but for these to billion dollar company's to be involved in such a scam is very unfortunate. I’m shocked that eBay and Paypal are peddling such an outrageous program under the cover of a “giving” program. I suppose I shouldn’t be as so many fundraisers take so much of the cause’s donation to administrate their own business, but for these to billion dollar company’s to be involved in such a scam is very unfortunate.

]]> By: Terri http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/#comment-2852 Terri Sat, 12 Nov 2005 14:24:16 +0000 /?p=1115#comment-2852 Will forward this email to some friends who work at red cross! Will forward this email to some friends who work at red cross!

]]> By: Ken http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/#comment-2806 Ken Sun, 06 Nov 2005 13:25:43 +0000 /?p=1115#comment-2806 Oh, come on Auntie. All you had to do was run a whois search to get all the contact info. His name is Steve Goins. He's at the Points of Light Foundation,1400 I Street NW, Suite 800, Washington DC 20005. Telephone # 202-729-8112. Full Whois Results: Domain ID:D21258939-LROR Domain Name:MISSIONFISH.ORG Created On:03-Mar-2000 15:24:07 UTC Last Updated On:23-Oct-2004 00:13:53 UTC Expiration Date:03-Mar-2007 15:24:06 UTC Sponsoring Registrar:Network Solutions LLC (R63-LROR) Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED Registrant ID:21389055-NSI Registrant Name:Steve ContactMiddleName Goins Registrant Organization:Points of Light Foundation Registrant Street1:1400 I Street N.W. Registrant Street2:Suite 800 Registrant Street3: Registrant City:Washington Registrant State/Province:DC Registrant Postal Code:20005 Registrant Country:US Registrant Phone:+1.2027298112 Registrant Phone Ext.: Registrant FAX:+1.2027293225 Registrant FAX Ext.: Registrant Email:Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by Whois Source Admin ID:21389055-NSI Admin Name:Steve ContactMiddleName Goins Admin Organization:Points of Light Foundation Admin Street1:1400 I Street N.W. Admin Street2:Suite 800 Admin Street3: Admin City:Washington Admin State/Province:DC Admin Postal Code:20005 Admin Country:US Admin Phone:+1.2027298112 Admin Phone Ext.: Admin FAX:+1.2027293225 Admin FAX Ext.: Admin Email:Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by Whois Source Tech ID:20865358-NSI Tech Name:MissionFish Tech Organization:MissionFish Tech Street1:1400 I Street, NW Ste 800 Tech Street2: Tech Street3: Tech City:Washington Tech State/Province:DC Tech Postal Code:20005 Tech Country:US Tech Phone:+1.2027298276 Tech Phone Ext.: Tech FAX: Tech FAX Ext.: Tech Email:Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by Whois Source Oh, come on Auntie. All you had to do was run a whois search to get all the contact info.

His name is Steve Goins. He’s at the Points of Light Foundation,1400 I Street NW, Suite 800, Washington DC 20005. Telephone # 202-729-8112.

Full Whois Results:
Domain ID:D21258939-LROR
Domain Name:MISSIONFISH.ORG
Created On:03-Mar-2000 15:24:07 UTC
Last Updated On:23-Oct-2004 00:13:53 UTC
Expiration Date:03-Mar-2007 15:24:06 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Network Solutions LLC (R63-LROR)
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:21389055-NSI
Registrant Name:Steve ContactMiddleName Goins
Registrant Organization:Points of Light Foundation
Registrant Street1:1400 I Street N.W.
Registrant Street2:Suite 800
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Washington
Registrant State/Province:DC
Registrant Postal Code:20005
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.2027298112
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:+1.2027293225
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by Whois Source
Admin ID:21389055-NSI
Admin Name:Steve ContactMiddleName Goins
Admin Organization:Points of Light Foundation
Admin Street1:1400 I Street N.W.
Admin Street2:Suite 800
Admin Street3:
Admin City:Washington
Admin State/Province:DC
Admin Postal Code:20005
Admin Country:US
Admin Phone:+1.2027298112
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX:+1.2027293225
Admin FAX Ext.:
Admin Email:Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by Whois Source
Tech ID:20865358-NSI
Tech Name:MissionFish
Tech Organization:MissionFish
Tech Street1:1400 I Street, NW Ste 800
Tech Street2:
Tech Street3:
Tech City:Washington
Tech State/Province:DC
Tech Postal Code:20005
Tech Country:US
Tech Phone:+1.2027298276
Tech Phone Ext.:
Tech FAX:
Tech FAX Ext.:
Tech Email:Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by Whois Source

]]> By: Gifts http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/#comment-2694 Gifts Tue, 18 Oct 2005 18:33:40 +0000 /?p=1115#comment-2694 Sounds like a big Headache. I think I will not be relising the charity auctions I have on Ebay! Sounds like a big Headache. I think I will not be relising the charity auctions I have on Ebay!

]]> By: SeenItAll http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/#comment-2693 SeenItAll Tue, 18 Oct 2005 17:04:59 +0000 /?p=1115#comment-2693 The home page of MissionFish clearly states that it is the SELLER who will be making the donation: "MissionFish collects the donation from the seller, pays the nonprofit and provides a tax receipt." The home page of MissionFish clearly states that it is the SELLER who will be making the donation: “MissionFish collects the donation from the seller, pays the nonprofit and provides a tax receipt.”

]]> By: John http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/#comment-2610 John Mon, 10 Oct 2005 23:34:39 +0000 /?p=1115#comment-2610 WOW! This sounds like a great, big con! Do you have any legal recourse? Thanks for the warning Aunty. I was planning to augment my contributions using this method. Now I'm going to limit my contributions to AmeriCares, which has, unlike the Red Cross, very low overhead. WOW! This sounds like a great, big con! Do you have any legal recourse? Thanks for the warning Aunty. I was planning to augment my contributions using this method. Now I’m going to limit my contributions to AmeriCares, which has, unlike the Red Cross, very low overhead.

]]> By: Chris Heuer http://www.theinternetpatrol.com/the-screwing-of-the-good-samaritan-the-problems-with-ebays-giving-works/#comment-2609 Chris Heuer Mon, 10 Oct 2005 19:53:40 +0000 /?p=1115#comment-2609 Ran into the same problem this week with 2.1 regarding taxes, donations etc... - shows that there are so many small but very important systemic failures that need to be addressed - maybe this can be a part of the discussion on <a href="http://www.recovery2.org/">Recovery2</a> Tagged for: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/recovery2" rel="tag" class="techtag">Recovery2</a> Ran into the same problem this week with 2.1 regarding taxes, donations etc… - shows that there are so many small but very important systemic failures that need to be addressed - maybe this can be a part of the discussion on Recovery2

Tagged for:

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