brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Dear Clifford,

Nobody likes to pay sales tax, but everyone must pay sales tax! B&H, and only B&H, has the solution to the sales tax issue.

Tomorrow, May 7th, B&H will be making a game-changing announcement, and as a loyal customer, I’d like you to be privy to some inside information in advance that will change your shopping experience forever.

Nearly one year ago, the Supreme Court ruled that out-of-state retailers must collect sales tax on internet sales. This, of course, included B&H. For 46 years we have been committed to providing unparalleled customer service, and so we began the tedious process of implementing a way to eliminate the impact this ruling would have on our customers.

We are now ready to launch “Payboo”, the solution to the sales-tax challenge. Tune in tomorrow for details on how to become a part of “Payboo”!

I know you have many shopping choices for creative gear and consumer electronics, but with “Payboo”, there will only be one best choice: B&H!

I look forward to a continued great business relationship and remember, at B&H, the customer always comes first. That’s why we’ve created “Payboo” to solve the sales tax impact for you.

Sincerely,

Menashe Horowitz
CEO

repleo Loc: Boston

I await with bated breath!

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Don’t know what “Payboo” is yet, but seriously doubt that it will change my sales tax obligation to the State of WI for out-of-state transactions. The State of WI says any resident must pay sales tax for any transaction within or outside the state. Either way I have to pay it. When tax season rolls around, I make a list of any untaxed transactions, compute the tax owed, and pay it with my WI income tax return for that prior year. Depending what I bought the amount can be substantial. Since the tax itself is not optional, I prefer that vendors collect the tax at the time of the transaction. Heck of a lot easier on me time-wise and the cost is the same either way. There is no “wink, wink, nudge, nudge” way to avoid the obligation.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I doubt B&H will come up with a plan to cheat your state. I'm guessing it will be some kind of discount club for regular customers who spend over a certain amount of money, or perhaps something similar.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

It is a rewards system.

"B&H Photo just unveiled the Payboo Card, which offers shoppers a tax-equivalent loyalty reward to counteract sales tax assessed on purchases. This new marketing initiative sets B&H apart from competitors, such as Best Buy and Amazon, that collect sales tax on purchases in all applicable states without the reward, potentially putting hundreds of dollars back in the pockets of consumers."

https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/05/06/bh-payboo-card-to-refund-sales-tax-on-all-orders

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I don't know if this "pay boo" represents a change, but in a recent conversation with B&H I found that they must and do collect Michigan sales tax because Michigan passed relevant legislation. The USSC decision made that a valid move but did not mean that B&H would have to collect and remit sales tax for, in this instance, Florida. When I was in Florida recently they did NOT charge sales tax. They will if and when Florida passes relevant legislation such as Michigan's. They were not able (or at least not willing) to say if and when that would change in Florida. The other states will, obviously vary accordingly.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Just happened to check my email. I got the same message.

TMurphy71

Ya'll should move to New Hampshire. We have no sales tax or income tax.

Bill_de Loc: US

Pretty simple idea. B&H collects the sales tax from the customer and pays it to the state. If the customer uses the new B&H credit card, they give the customer an equal amount in "Rewards $$$".

Pretty good. No matter where you live, ultimately every customer at B&H pays the same amount.

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repleo Loc: Boston

Yeah, but you pay outrageous property taxes and get lousy services - except for great snow plowing.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Title is misleading. It is not a "B&H sales tax". It is a state-imposed tax which the government forces every legitimate retailer to collect.

BebuLamar

I got it now. You would have to apply and get the PayBoo credit card from B&H and when you use the card to buy from B&H they would pay the sales tax for you.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I drive 65 miles each way to work through the winter. Both plowing and road conditions improve as soon as I cross INTO Massachusetts.

But we do have better mountains....

Andy

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Let's clear up an apparent point of confusion for some: You will still be paying sales tax to your state if it is a state requirement. It will be shown on your B&H statement as such and your state can't come after you, or B&H, for failure to pay the tax. B&H is just simply giving a rebate in the same amount as the tax to those who take advantage of the offer. Perfectly legal and while it is obviously a marketing ploy to get your business it is nice to see B&H step up and save their customers some money. It is also a neat way to give a discount on cameras and lenses without incurring the wrath of the manufacturers for violating their set prices.

repleo Loc: Boston

NH makes sure they keep the roads to the ski areas clear for all of us Boston skiers. They want our money.