Sales Tax, The Internet & Local Shopping...Will You Change The Way You Buy?
Apr 27, 2013 22:13:52 #
It is evident that sales tax laws are changing. Companies, like Walmart, Target, Sears and Best Buy have been pushing to even the playing field by requiring online only merchants to collect and forward sales taxes to local states and communities.
I haven't purchased a piece of photography gear locally (except for the odd lens cap) in 10 years. In fact even way back in the 1980s I was buying from CameraWorld in Oregon in place of local merchants in California.
If you currently buy online will you change your habits when the out of pocket money is same as buying at a local store?
I haven't purchased a piece of photography gear locally (except for the odd lens cap) in 10 years. In fact even way back in the 1980s I was buying from CameraWorld in Oregon in place of local merchants in California.
If you currently buy online will you change your habits when the out of pocket money is same as buying at a local store?
Apr 28, 2013 01:45:26 #
RixPix wrote:
If you currently buy online will you change your habits when the out of pocket money is same as buying at a local store?
No. Internet sales should have been taxed a long time ago, just like brick and mortar sales. Not taxing Internet sales sets up an unfair competition between brick-and-mortar and Internet companies. Online pricing seems to be much lower online, as a rule. I will continue to compare online and in-store prices before making many of my purchases.
Apr 28, 2013 05:49:13 #
jimbo70
Loc: Orange Park, FL.
Hard to buy camera gear locally when there aren't any local stores. On the other hand there probably aren't any local stores left because everyone bought online because it was cheaper.
Apr 28, 2013 05:57:38 #
Tom G
Loc: Atlanta, GA
Both you & Tchmath are right. I like the tax free aspect, but because of it (I'm sure), there are no reputable photography stores left in Milwaukee. And none that I know of here in Jacksonville (Southern Photo Technical Service is only a repair shop - and a darn good one - but they don't sell new equipment).
And I am also at fault, 'cause you can't beat prices at B&H and Adorama, et al.
And I am also at fault, 'cause you can't beat prices at B&H and Adorama, et al.
Apr 28, 2013 08:13:23 #
gerry908
Loc: An Aussie from Scotland
The prices that they charge in Australia are ridiculous, so even if they charged an Online Tax, it would still be a lot cheaper than buying at a local store in Australia
Apr 28, 2013 08:58:47 #
In general, I never consider taxes whenever I'm making a decision to buy on-line or locally. If I can get an item locally, I'll do that. The main reason is the ability to easily return an item if need be.
I have found that with a little research I can usually find an item within 20 miles of home. If not, I'll order on-line.
Now when it comes to photographic equipment, the local options are very limited, so a trusted on-line company is usually the only choice. Then there are many other things to consider other than taxes, like shipping costs.
I have found that with a little research I can usually find an item within 20 miles of home. If not, I'll order on-line.
Now when it comes to photographic equipment, the local options are very limited, so a trusted on-line company is usually the only choice. Then there are many other things to consider other than taxes, like shipping costs.
Apr 28, 2013 08:59:38 #
Amazon is already charging local sales tax online. They started over a year ago. I still buy from them because there is only one bookstore locally and they haven't got the inventory that Amazon does.
The brick and mortar stores have been crying about unfair advantage for years but they fail to consider the buying experience. Buying online saves me the time of driving to the mall, walking into the store, finding a sales clerk that gives a damn, and then waiting in line to pay for the item. My purchasing habits will not change.
The brick and mortar stores have been crying about unfair advantage for years but they fail to consider the buying experience. Buying online saves me the time of driving to the mall, walking into the store, finding a sales clerk that gives a damn, and then waiting in line to pay for the item. My purchasing habits will not change.
Apr 28, 2013 09:21:46 #
I buy both online and at local stores. I agree that internet sales companies benefit by not charging tax. It puts them at an advantage over local stores. Fortunately I live in DE and don't pay sales tax. It will be a new cost of doing business for the online sellers, but that will also lead to new jobs and may help the un-employed.
RixPix wrote:
It is evident that sales tax laws are changing. C... (show quote)
Apr 28, 2013 09:36:24 #
Physical stores have the same opportunities to sell on line as the other stores. The law of capitalism will do what is needed to keep good businesses in play and get rid of those that can't stand on their own. Nobody should play with how businesses are run or try to 'level the playing field' as they are choosing the winners and losers.
Apr 28, 2013 09:37:42 #
RixPix wrote:
It is evident that sales tax laws are changing. C... (show quote)
Have to admit that I am guilty of purchasing online through B&H and/or Adorama. Sometimes I feel guilty doing this because I know that every time I do, it puts the local camera shops one step closer to shutting their doors. However, I do try to buy locally on occasion. Last purchase locally was a Nikkor 200mm f/2 VRII. Was able to negotiate the price down to just a little higher than B&H or Adorama. This basically was the difference in sales tax or no sales tax. When one has a problem with equipment, it's a whole lot easier talking face-to-face with a local person, than it is over the phone or online. The worrisome thing is stores like Wal Mart and Best Buy (truly a misnomer) do a real disservice to local camera stores.
Apr 28, 2013 13:21:08 #
Don't you love it how business owners are turned into "tax collectors" for the government.
There are few places to buy photography equipment where I live and the local prices are sometimes double the prices I find on the internet. I don't feel sorry for these local stores when they are "price gouging" so much.. They seem shocked when they find that I am comparing their prices to those on the internet. Their smiles disappear quickly.
There are few places to buy photography equipment where I live and the local prices are sometimes double the prices I find on the internet. I don't feel sorry for these local stores when they are "price gouging" so much.. They seem shocked when they find that I am comparing their prices to those on the internet. Their smiles disappear quickly.
Apr 28, 2013 13:24:02 #
jimbo70
Loc: Orange Park, FL.
gerry908 wrote:
The prices that they charge in Australia are ridiculous, so even if they charged an Online Tax, it would still be a lot cheaper than buying at a local store in Australia
I have read that the seller (store) is responsible for repairs and such on goods in Australia and not the manufacturer. If that is the case they may have to charge more to offset those costs. Enlighten us, Please.
Apr 28, 2013 13:42:26 #
I prefer to buy locally, but I do buy most of my photo purchases online, but that's mainly due to the availability of the item I want at the time. When the sales tax law takes effect, it would encourage me to purchase within my state as long as the price was close to what the online retailer charges.
Apr 28, 2013 13:58:09 #
Can you imagine all the on-line sellers having to keep track of the locations of all buyers, the tax rates of all states, all the forms involved, remitting the proper amount to each state? It sounds like a nightmare to me.
Apr 28, 2013 13:58:30 #
RixPix wrote:
It is evident that sales tax laws are changing. C... (show quote)
It certainly figures into the purchase decision, if I am making a $1,000 purchase and can save $120 because of slightly better pricing combined with the absence of sales tax then I will probably purchase online, but if I am only going to save $50 I would be less inclined to purchase online.
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