Originally Posted by Lilith

The best thing to do is not to mail too far out of state. I know that sounds unfeasible when people who answer your ad are from other states, but, shipping within the state of FLorida and to close by states like GA, AL, MS is much cheaper than going out of the 'close zone'. If you are doing this just as a sideline and not as an actual business, I myself would just stop doing it. I use UPS a lot instate, its not only cheaper than the USPS but you get next day delivery in almost all cases.

I don't sell plants, because here in Florida where we both live, you are supposed to be licensed and inspected in order to sell plants. You are also supposed to be registered to collect and remit sales and use tax, which is a big headache. You are supposed to report ALL your sales, even the ones that are "exempt" that you didn't actually collect any tax on (ie mailed out of state). I held a nursery license at one time and did run a small mail order business. But the rising cost of fuel to heat the greenhouse, shipping, and the ever increasing burden of trying to meet all the regulations and stay current on the Agricultural laws impacting every state were just too much for the small amount of money I was getting. Not to mention having to file those pesky sales and use tax returns. The state is VERY finicky about their cut of the cash. If you are selling stuff and not remitting tax returns, I hope you don't get caught. They take this stuff seriously. So I let my license go and closed my business. Now I only trade, and try to only trade with people who live very close to me geographically.

The only reason to do it for me is to increase the unusual and more rare things in my collection.I can buy just about anything common that I want locally. I like to trade for what I consider "the good stuff". Depending on how good itis, that makes the high postage worth it or not.