Windshield Repair Forum

I had mentioned an idea a couple few weeks back where I would try to hire a sign holder to stand near my tent location to guide traffic to me, while I stayed at the tent talking to the people in the area of my tent. I have tried it about 6 or 7 different days now and it has worked fantastic!!

The first day I asked a fdew of my customers how they knew I was here and everyone of them said they saw the guy standing on the corner holding the sign, the next day I asked only 2 people and both said the same thing, next day I asked a couple and ditto. Today I asked only 3 and all 3 said they saw him with the sign and turned around.

Now I pay him minimum wage, which is $7.25hr in Oregon second highest in the nation, and since I am not at a particular location for more than a month or so at a time I don't have to pay taxes or give him a W2/W4 whatever it is. He falls under the minimum amount needed to file. He works from 11-5 and makes $43.50 a day ... I figure each day he is there I am gettting probably at least 5 deals from him at an average of $55 per job considering doubles and tripples that comes out to $275 a day minus $43.50 = $231.50 a day profit just for having a guy hold my sign. That is literally money that I would not have otherwise had. The reason I don't hold my own sign is because if I was out on the corner I couldn't talk to people at the gas station where I am currently located and try to pull them in on my own ... also he is always advetising while I am doing a job. Since I got him I haven't had a day under 9 vehicles and only 1 under 11 vehicles. I would say it works well, so try it you only have a couple days of wages to lose if it doesn't work for you but if it does work at your spot it can meen good money that you may be otherwise passing up.

Wow! Sounds like you hit on a successful strategy.... I am glad it works for you.

JeremiahsWindshieldrepair, I have been following you on this idea since you first started talking about it here on the forum. I thought then that it sounded good and now I know it does work after hearing your testimony. Im definately going to find someone to do this for me. When I do I will record my results each day and let you know how I did. If you could? I would love to see a picture posted on this forum for me and everyone else to see of your person holding the sign for you. Any other pics would be great too. Thanks Chris CWREPAIR

I can take a pic and send it to Jeff .. I am sure he can figure out how to post it.

Also I want to clear up a misconception about paying this guy "under the table". In Oregon at least there is a law that goes something like if the person doing the work gets paid under $600 in a certain time period it is considered services rendered, like if you hired someone to come to your office and trim your bushes and pick up all the trash around the lot. Since I am not at one location very long he won't be hitting the $600 limit. That's why it is not under the table.

I could be wrong, but I believe the IRS would disagree with what you are doing. The problem is not about the $600 or length of employment, etc.

It's about the employee vs. subcontractor issue.

The guy holding the sign doesn't meet the qualifications of being a self-employed contractor. He is clearly an employee by the IRS definition, unless you can argue that he is free to do his work when and where he wants to.

If you can find a way to call him a subcontractor and avoid insurance and tax issues, you would still want to file a 1099 so you can deduct the expense.

Of course you could just deduct it all under "advertising" and hope the IRS never finds out the details.

I don't need to hope the IRS doens't find out ..it is a rule that if they make less than $600 there is no tax effect at all. I am not hiding it or trying to wiggle my way around any laws at all... in fact I very much disagree with dishonest gain, in my opinion a dishonest gain is overall a loss.

That's a new one to me... interesting. So you just have to keep finding different guys to do the dirty work.

What category is the expense deducted?

Maybe you should combine your chip repair with a charity fund raising carwash.
Call it "Chip and Wash". Wouldn't have to pay the highschool girls anything. Just offer free wash to all repaired vehicles and donate $5 to fund. You could also write of expense 100%. Sound crazy? Maybe, but I'm sure the girls would pull in a lot more cars;)

Something to think about, suppose your sign holder gets hit by a car, trips over his own feet and cracks his head open, or just decides to sue you because his back or whatever hurts from carrying your sign. Not trying to put you down but after dealing with employees for eight years I'm convinced they will do anything to live on ez street. Any chance a fixed sign would work as well for you ??

CPR,

The points you raise whether, in truth, or in jest, are quite valid. Employers beware.