The last (yuk-yuk) straw

[Black Bart]

Talk about government turning you ever' which way but loose and putting the final nail in the coffin, I came across this gem while looking up something for an ex-resident of Polk County, Florida.

Any individual or business which operates or advertises a "fire sale" or "going out of business sale," or any such liquidation sale, is required by the state to apply for and purchase a "Going Out Of Business Permit"...The permit is valid for 60 consecutive days and the fee is $50 (fifty-dollars).

[Burke]

The reason for this is to restrict businessess from offering these "going out of business" sales on a continuing basis, which many unscrupulous entities do, and to limit the time they can hold them. Often a permit will not be granted if one of these sales has been held in the past, depending on the time frame.

[DTS]

Bart

I don't remember which one, but the town I lived in a few years ago would either ticket you if they saw you driving with a "For Sale" sign in your car window or if it was parked on the street with the sign. Of course, this is the same town that would charge you $35,000-50,000 for a home bldg. permit.

[Chief]

Florida

is a state of fees. In Largo my sons is facing charges of several hundred dollar for hiring a person to replace closet and exterior doors. Revenue.

[David1980]

Reminds me of the furniture store here that is *always* "Going out of business!" They've been going out of business for probably 10 years now.

[erchess]

Going Out of Business

I totally agree with the limitation on fire sales, going out of business sales, and so on. In fact, I would be in favor of draconian penalties for having such a sale without a permit. As for the permits on building activities, if the government had a program of inspections that really made sure such jobs were done right, it would be well worth a minimum fee of $500 for closet and exterior doors. People who disagree can do the work themselves or pay an unlicensed contractor but then they are responsible for any problems that may arise when they want to sell the house.

[Black Bart]

Hmm; so much for righteous indignation about this issue.

...I would be in favor of draconian penalties for...a sale without a permit. As for the permits on building activities...it would be well worth a minimum fee of $500 for closet and exterior doors

It appears that my plea for sympathy regarding this ****ed governmental outrage has failed. Please be advised that if you run for city council alderman, I will NOT be voting for you.

P.S. A piece of advice: If you do run, under no circumstances should you make this campaign speech "Fellow taxpayers; if elected I will propose outlandish permit fees for (1) Going in business (2) Going out of business (3) Breathing air. Also, if you get your doors replaced, the permit's going to cost more than you're paying the contractor."

[JohnH]

Bart: They don't say it that way. They say things like "I'll balance the budget - trust me".

[erchess]

Consider this

When I spoke of the inspection making sure things were done right I intended to convey that the government is guaranteeing or making sure the contractor guarantees that the work is up to reasonable standards and will last. So in other words if there has been no work done on your house without a permit then you can rest assured that your house will stand for at least a hundred years needing only normal maintenance. Any expenses beyond normal maintenance that you might incur would either be covered by your home owners and flood insurance or it would be covered by the insurance on the work.

I didn't mean to suggest that any local government in the country provides these meaningful inspections. I just think it would be worth several hundred dollars per inspection if they would.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Live in Polk County

I live in Polk County. They will "fee" you to death. I wanted to put a screen room on the side of my house. Since I live in the city limits, I first had to pay $300 to get a variance because it was going to be too close to the property line.
Then I had to get a permit to have the room put up. Before they would issue that permit, they had to have a permit or inspection of the septic tank. The septic tank is in the back yard and the screen room is on the side of the house. But it didn't matter. It was just another way to get another $200 from you.

Some people don't apply for the permits. They just do the work and if they get caught, they try to play dumb. But if they catch you, you will get fines and still have to buy the permit.

Yet this is one of the poorest counties in Florida. Ya'll come join us here.

Linda F

[Burke]

Fees are wonderful. They are not taxes, so don't have to be voted on. And they can justify them ad infinitum. And increase them when they feel like it. Colleges do it when state law prohibits them from increasing tuition. Localities do it to replace loss of income from states or the feds, or just to generate income if they feel they need it. Politicians are off the hook, because they "haven't raised taxes." Airlines are off the hook because they haven't raised fares. Shame we can't do it with impunity in the marketplace.

[Black Bart]

Ain't it the truth?

Fees are wonderful. They are not taxes, so don't have to be voted on. And they can justify them ad infinitum. And increase them when they feel like it...

Which brings me to one of my pet peeves: bank NSF (non-sufficient funds) "fees." Bankers generally have a strong legislative lobby and here in Arkansas (probably in most states too) such "fees" aren't subject to the limitations on interest. Recently, our attorney general closed down all Arkansas payday lending stores and boasted about throwing out those "unscrupulous" opportunists who were charging 300-400% APR.

I have a different view -- those guys loaned $350 to high risk and/or deadbeat customers for two weeks for a $50 fee (I wouldn't do that for $50 and, for sure, not for a legal ten bucks or so -- would you?). The AG said their fee was not a fee; it was interest and violated usury law. Meanwhile, banks (with minimal risk) debit your account a $35 NSF "fee" for an overdraft. If, minutes later, three more checks hit before you get to the bank, you're slapped with another $105. But the politicians say stop your whining -- it's not interest-- it's a "fee," don'cha see?

And a good thing too; otherwise those scrupulous businessmen would be charging several thousand percent usurious "interest."

[Davc]

In this area people outside the city limits pay a "reverse poll tax" for city water service. Which in my case effectively doubles my bill. Even though I'm actually closer to the water treatment plant than the city.