by Webduck *
Member since:
May 19, 2006

Will Gather Lose Authors In Other Countries?

December 30, 2006 09:04 AM EST
views: 58 | comments: 24

For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of Gather has been meeting and getting to know the authors from around the world. I am very interested in learning about the customs, religions and people in other countries. The pictures that they have shared are priceless. I think that Gather can truly bring us all together in a way that is unique and beneficial. We have the ability to speak one-on-one, and break down barriers, as well as be unofficial diplomats for our countries.

Gather would like everyone to participate, but if you live "abroad" they say that can't pay you. Some of my friends in other countries are disappointed in this, and they are considering not posting on Gather anymore. Not everyone comes to Gather to make money or earn points, but many do. If Gather is going to invite people in from countries outside the USA, then they need to be rewarding them equally.

What is your opinion?

 

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Comments: 24

Lynn G. Dec 30, 2006, 9:08am EST
If it possible to arrange that legally, great. If not, then they just have to decide to write for writing's sake or not be here. Not every country allows this kind of "compensation" and we do have to pay attention to laws.

Of course, an alternative is to pay no one including Americans...
Sensational Sadie Sexy Senior Sitizen Dec 30, 2006, 9:11am EST
I hope we keep our out of the country friends as I too love reading their articles and getting to know more about their lives. I hope they can work out something to be able to give them writing rewards too but as a writer( I use that term loosely) I like writing for the sake of writing.
Leah Christensen Dec 30, 2006, 9:18am EST
It is unfair. I'm in Canada. I am in the process of applying for an American Tax ID (go to the IRS website, and look for the W-7 form!!) and am waiting for things to happen. I sent off my notorized documents from the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, and the idiots at the post office lost them!!! AARRGGHH!!! I might have to reapply all over again.
♯ ♪ Dec 30, 2006, 9:31am EST
I hope they will stay, and for more than the "points" (which I found out is rather small time). I live here in the US, and the points make no difference to me. There's more to Gather than gathering gift cards.
Walker Bennett, SF Author Dec 30, 2006, 9:36am EST
PayPal, which is available in almost every country (except Russia at last check), files the necessary tax documents for the country of destination. I don't understand why Gather doesn't use that.

This wouldn't work for gift certificates (in the US you have to report that as income), but for cash would seem ideal. One of my publishers is in Greece and I receive commissions via PayPal.

Unfortunately, you end up paying double taxes. I pay Greek and American tax on those commissions. I also pay UK, EU VAT, and American taxes on books sold in Europe (printer is in UK).
Leah Christensen Dec 30, 2006, 10:25am EST
Walker!

After getting me in with your publisher in Greece, my accountant is going to be howling for your blood. LOL He used to enjoy doing my family's taxes because things were so SIMPLE, now I'm getting an American Tax ID Number, and possibly filing taxes in Greece and other places.... things are going to be pretty interesting, come tax time!!
John S. (arizona) Dec 30, 2006, 11:03am EST
It has more to do with the tangled mess of laws than anything else I think. Not only does the US have laws, but each other country has theirs as well in this.
I really don't know the ins and outs of it all, but I'm sure Gather would be more than willing to let members from other countries spend their points easily if they could.
I would suggest that members contact Gather directly, to find out what is possible from one country to another...?????
It is a bummer though.
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Dec 30, 2006, 11:35am EST
Webduck, I agree that meeting people from around the world was an attractive bonus in this experience, and that is why I started the group Culture Haven, and invited my friends outside this country to join Gather and that group. I am more concerned that narrow-minded comments and the lack of decent articles will drive them away than I am about the inability to receive remuneration for their contributions.
Webduck * Dec 30, 2006, 1:04pm EST
Thank you all for your comments.

Leah, I cannot believe what has happened to you! What a rotten bunch of luck.

I wish they used PayPal too, but since I am not one of the more prolific or gifted writers, I am still in gift card mode.

Maybe I should have sent this directly to Tom Gerace? :)
Webduck * Dec 30, 2006, 1:06pm EST
Sandy, I joined your group. Thanks for telling me/us about it here.
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Dec 30, 2006, 1:08pm EST
Thank you for joining, Webduck. I think you will enjoy the group. I haven't done much in the way of moderating, since most everything can be considered cultural, but it remains fairly true to its topic.
Anita D. Dec 30, 2006, 5:46pm EST
Sandy -- excellent point. I thought Barnes & Noble was also in the UK and Australia.
Patrick McGonagle Dec 31, 2006, 8:37am EST
I haven't even checked my points and what I can get. I think most people come here not to be rewarded but to dialogue and exchange ideas.
Lori (Dr Devience) Leidig Dec 31, 2006, 10:09am EST
I am sure I read somewhere that Gather was indeed making arrangements for out-of-US members... how soon it comes to fruition is anybody's guess, but they are trying.

In the meantime, I have my gift certs sent to to my daughter in NY, and then she sends them to me. I like Uncommon Goods. I have to turn around and snail-mail them my orders, but they have no issues sending my items to Sweden.
Carol Roach Dec 31, 2006, 4:46pm EST
gather has an obligation to spell that out up front, not lead people to think they will get paid and then they are told they will not be.
Lori (Dr Devience) Leidig Jan 1, 2007, 11:35am EST
I am farily certain they do just that in the user agreement when you first sign up.
q p. Jan 2, 2007, 2:45am EST
I think the overall quality of the material on this site would see a vast improvement if the incentive was removed altogether, regardless of where an author lives.

Sincerely,

-Denmark
Lori (Dr Devience) Leidig Jan 2, 2007, 3:27am EST
S.R... do not make me come over there....
q p. Jan 2, 2007, 3:42am EST
Call me a Marxist, but it's true. The dangling carrot of a pecuniary reward is the greatest constraint to creativity.
Peter Wimsey Jan 2, 2007, 11:53am EST
"I think the overall quality of the material on this site would see a vast improvement if the incentive was removed altogether, regardless of where an author lives. "

Soren is right. Marx is right. Might makes right. Two rights don't make a wrong.
Two wrongs don't make a right. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, no right turns on red, my luv is like a red red rose, ring around the rosey, rings on my fingers, bells on my toes, toe the line, a rose is a rose is a rose, when do I get my points?
q p. Jan 2, 2007, 3:09pm EST
Tickle Me Elmo, Tickle Me Capt. Nemo, Tickle Me Leonard Nemoy, Tickle Me Leonard Maltin, Tickle Me Karl Malden, Tickle Me Karl Marx, Tickle Me Marx Brothers, Tickle Me Brothers Karamazov...

...flight of ideas, and I'm spent!

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