IDguy Loc: Idaho

Your penultimate sentence asserts something most likely false. Online shopping is far superior to local camera stores. Options and supplies are generally unlimited and knowledgable sales people a chat or phone call away. No traffic or fuel expense. Your time is spent productively shopping vs. driving. Customer service, prices, and return policies generally better.

That’s why most here shop and buy online.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I shop online for all my camera gear. Pretty much exclusively at B&H. It's quick, easy, selection is unbeatable, as is the service, and because I am so close if it is in stock I have it the next day. Almost always with free shipping. Sales tax is not an issue because as a NY resident I have always been charged sales tax. Just the same I wish the camera store that used to be 5 mi from my house was still in business. Sometimes I like to just walk into a store, look around, and walk out with something new in my hand. Sometimes I just like to handle something before I buy it to be sure I am not going to dislike it when I get it and have to return it. Something that has never happened with camera gear, thankfully.
I think if you were to ask other UHH members most would have similar reasons for wanting a nearby store.
Most of my post that you referred to was done tongue-in-cheek. It's about having a sense of humor, in case you are unfamiliar with the phrase.
The local camera stores are almost extinct. They are not coming back no matter what the sales tax situation becomes. I wouldn't give up online shopping but I would still enjoy some old fashioned face-to-face service from time to time. Not going to happen though.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

I bet most UHHers no longer have an interest in a local store. You might try a survey to test your assertion otherwise.

Apparently you and I agree by voting with our purchases.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

If you don't pay taxes in your cave or private island you are unlikely to have water, sewer, roads, schools, public safety services, and a military to protect you from all the other people who want to live in a cave or private island.

OTOH, you won't get to watch the government antics.

CuriousCa

To B&H: I’m wondering how much longer you won’t be charging tax to Ca. I thought the announcement said you would start on the first of April but it looks it hasn’t started yet. Is there still time for me to make that big purchase? I’m waiting for my next payday...

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Again, if you make an out of state purchase and they don't collect it, you still owe use tax on the purchase, which you are required to pay on your state income tax form.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

That depends. Years ago NY State sent tax agents to shopping malls in upper NJ to record the plate numbers of New York residents who had driven to those malls. They then sent out letters to the owners of those vehicles informing them that they owed sales tax even though they had no idea if the owner of the car was the one who drove there or if they had even made any purchases. That didn't last long because it was decided that driving out of state and making a purchase is different then mail order, or, in today's world, online purchases that are sent to your home, business, etc. People who are physically out of state when shopping, such as at NJ malls, have already paid sales tax to NJ or any other state that collects it. Surprisingly, the NY tax dept didn't seem to think it was smart to try to collect it a second time.

CuriousCa

I get that and I actually do pay it...but I don’t have to pay it right now.