Someone has pointed out and error in my reasoning. "Most of us are not in business."

Since I made the point based on delivery of gum to a corner store, advertising costs and others, I stand corrected.

The day I make a profit on my chips or collection will most likely be never. Can't cal it a business if it isn't making a profit. Even the IRS sees it that way.

I need to make more profit margin on my losses, by charging for my chips, then factoring in shipping, storage, inventory and handling as "shipping".

Plus I have to pay other sellers a steep fee to send the chips to me. In other words, the shipping IN to my location is also an expense.

Lets say I started my "chip business" with $2,000 (excluding my collection and trades) I figure I've nibbled it down to about $1,500 by now and at some point, I should be able to take that money and make it into nothing.

No profit, not a business. I can't claim advertising, packaging, shipping Etc. a business expense to be covered in the sale.

So I should add in place of shipping on my auctions, loss reduction? LOL