Support your local camera store (Page 5): I wasn't quibbling over the eventual likely outcome, just being a bit pedantic in translating the decision. In truth, it is a political...

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

jdub82 wrote:

Most states will move quickly to do this. Many have already moved in that direction. California, where I live, is one of the states that has aggressively pursued this ruling. If you'll notice my statement was "very soon only those who live in states where with no sales tax will be able to buy online without paying sales tax."

I wasn't quibbling over the eventual likely outcome, just being a bit pedantic in translating the decision. In truth, it is a political decision by state government, not an example of an overreaching SCOTUS forcing more taxes on people. Some people have used this decision in making this into a political point, so I always feel compelled to point out its inaccuracy.

Andy

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

My local camera store is Corpus Christi Camera, owned by a husband and wife team who are a former photojournalist and reporter respectively. They are knowledgeable and, more importantly, kind, decent and honest people. Their staff is equally knowledgeable. Tes, I consider them my friends. But they are 90 miles away. That said, I have gotten excellent service from B&H and have bought from them and objectively, I have the same measure of trust with B&H.

But, here's the deal: My friends are local (I mean, hell, this is Texas. What's 90 miles in this state?) And I can go down, visit with my friends, get my purchase, stop by the beach and drive home faster than any mail order place can. I also get to see my friends. I did mention that, didn't I?

UHHers, I am a retired small businessman. I don't support my friends in Corpus because they are a charity case. I support them because they give me the same or better service as the best eCommerce places and their prices sometimes match those eCommerce sites. But if not, I'll buy anyway.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I buy most of my gear from Allen's Camera in Levittown PA! Great, family run, store. Same, or close, price as B&H. Wonderful staff!

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

AndyH wrote:

I wasn't quibbling over the eventual likely outcome, just being a bit pedantic in translating the decision. In truth, it is a political decision by state government, not an example of an overreaching SCOTUS forcing more taxes on people. Some people have used this decision in making this into a political point, so I always feel compelled to point out its inaccuracy.

Andy

Good point. It was several states' decision to force people to pay sales tax on their online purchases, that led to the case being in the courts in the first place. Eventually the case made its way to the Supreme Court. The decision essentially affirmed that states have the 'right' to collect sales tax on online purchases. Though I don't care for the decision, it was their interpretation of states' rights under the U.S. Constitution, not court overreach, that led to the decision.

henryp Loc: New York, NY

burkphoto wrote:

The manufacturers are the ones who essentially kil... (show quote)

Several years ago I attended a panel discussion by and for local NJ camera stores. Most stores had someone there and several brands (Nikon, Canon etc) did too. I was the only rep from a "big NYC/catalog mail order/Internet retailer." During the conversation (which preceded the wide adoption of 'unilateral price' programs, I heard two things:
- None of the NJ store owners felt nearly the pressure from big NYC/catalog mail order/Internet retailers as they did from places like Ritz which moved into their neighborhoods, undercut their prices, and shoplifted their customers.
- Every one of the NJ store owners loved MAP (minimum advertised price) programs. They said that when a customer saw their ad and our ad showing the same price, the customer was inclined to shop locally even when the big NYC/catalog mail order/Internet retailers had a lower selling price which the customer was not aware of.

And, the "HUGE discounts on certain items" isn't always as HUGE as one might imagine.

newsguygeorge wrote:

That said, I have gotten excellent service from B&H and have bought from them and objectively, I have the same measure of trust with B&H.

Thank you!

safeman

You people are lucky. Tucson Arizona is approaching 1,000,000 people and I can't find a camera store on line.

Bill Paustian Loc: Sun City, Az

Foto Forum in Phoenix is an excellent store, could e closer.

DWU2 wrote:

Sadly, the nearest camera store to me (and, it's a a good one - Tempe Camera) is 41 miles away.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

mallen1330 wrote:

There are still a few camera stores in the Chicago area. Lagrange Camera is family owned and only 8 miles from me. I appreciate the face to face recommendations and being able to walk away with what I need immediately without waiting 3 or 4 days for delivery. 20 East Burlington Avenue La Grange IL 60525. They still support film equipment and processing.

And of course Central Camera on Wabash in Chicago. It is fun to just visit that place.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

jdub82 wrote:

Most states will move quickly to do this. Many have already moved in that direction. California, where I live, is one of the states that has aggressively pursued this ruling. If you'll notice my statement was "very soon only those who live in states where with no sales tax will be able to buy online without paying sales tax."

For most vendors this is not a big problem since they are already setup to collect taxes for some jurisdictions and only require a more complete rate and payment file. Vendors who only have a presence in a state without a sales tax, however, face a whole new collection and payment nightmare.

Shutterbug57

zug55 wrote:

There also is this little dirty secret that is not so secret: sales tax. B&H, for instance, does not collect sales tax for shipments outside of NY and NJ. That is an automatic discount advantage B&H has over the local store--in the case of my local store in Austin it is 8.25%. If local stores have to charge sales tax, online vendors should have to as well.

Won’t last much longer - South Dakota v Wayfair will solve that.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Bill_de wrote:

Give me a good local camera store and I'll do the same.

--

Give me a local store, any store other than Best Buy, and I will do the same. At least until they mislead me, that is. The closest camera store to me is 45 miles away and I do not drive.

Shutterbug57

AndyH wrote:

I wasn't quibbling over the eventual likely outcome, just being a bit pedantic in translating the decision. In truth, it is a political decision by state government, not an example of an overreaching SCOTUS forcing more taxes on people. Some people have used this decision in making this into a political point, so I always feel compelled to point out its inaccuracy.

Andy

35 states filed amicus briefs (or actually all signed a joint brief). Read the tea leaves.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I wish my "local camera store" was local!

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

I didn't know that! I know they have been around a long time :)

travisdeland wrote:

I live in Florida and shop Dury's-happier with their service than the "local" store in Orlando. As info, they are the oldest continually operated camera store in the country.

Mr.Ft Loc: Central New Jersey

Allen's Camera is my local camera store, it is located in PA. I'm in NJ but worth the trip for me great people to deal with. They also offer shipping most of the time for free.