Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Timing - before the tax?
He was probably going to purchase it anyway, but just moved it up to save the tax dollars.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I think some are missing the point on the benefit to local shops. As sales have shifted dramatically to the web, if they don't collect the local sales tax for the state, the online seller has an automatic price advantage ranging from 5% to as much as 10%, depending on the local tax rate. I know this is just a fact, not data, but in our small town, in a state with no sales tax, we have a surviving camera shop, as well as another one located two towns away. They both price match on cameras and lenses, and they carry the full variety of bits and bobs that they always have. By comparison, the one remaining shop in the big Massachusetts city where I work seems to be barely hanging on, despite their size, experience, and knowledgeable staff. There seems to be only one camera shop remaining inside Boston city limits as well.

I can't help but think that taking away the automatic "Internet Advantage" of not collecting sales tax has had a big impact on the sale of big ticket items in brick and mortar shops located in high sales tax states. Taking away the sales tax "discount" will undoubtedly help small retailers, including camera stores, in my opinion.

Andy

traderjohn Loc: New York City

No way. A freeloader is that group that has spent a generation on welfare and every other entitlement program. Their children will follow in their footsteps. There is no level of expectation that will ever end. Then there are 11,000,000 plus illegal aliens. These groups are the freeloaders. As you say "bums"

Glenn Harve

Watch the "shell game". The tactics used for taxes are rarely as they seem. Look where the money is really going. I guarantee that money that could be used on your roads exists but is being mis-spent. The prime trick they use is the children, ie: so-called "education". Voters are gullible, they buy it.

leftj Loc: Texas

Although sales tax can be an advantage factor it's not going to keep the brick and stick camera stores in business. The online sellers have low comparative overhead which is the primary reason for their advantages.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

The "convenience" of on-line shopping is killing a lot of little places.
Unless you need it post-haste, two to three day delivery is no problem, and people don't need to leave the house.
Plus I've found that brick & mortars are carrying less, which forces people to purchase what they are looking for on-line. (I wanted some 16Gb SDHC cards, many stores are only carrying 32+, got the 16s on-line from B&H.)

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

That's true, of course, but around the margins I think it makes a difference, at least according to the local shop owners I've spoken with. Margins are thin in this business, and every little bit helps. The advantage is seven percent in neighboring Massachusetts, and about the same in Vermont and Maine.

But I agree that Brick and Mortar retailers will only survive as long as they offer superior service, return policies, and knowledge.

Andy

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

No, I made a decision on WHEN to buy--I'd already done my research on the camera and lens.

Glenn Harve

Depends on the biz. If your payroll is coming from the 10% of revenues left over after all the other expenses (including a barrage of other taxes), then another 5% is death. I ran a biz for 40 years, it makes a difference.

mikee

I live in washington state, and ebay has started collecting state sales tax.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

You left out the highest cost. Inventory, cost of goods.

Rickyb

Trump's ideas. Needs more money to buy golf balls. His wings are out of alignment!

RRS Loc: Not sure

You have to be dreaming, President Trump works for free, how about you? He has more then enough money to buy golf balls, he most likely has more balls then you but he sure as hell doesn't have wings.

leftj Loc: Texas

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

I think Taxachusetts also now pays sales tax (6.25%)