Internet Sales Tax Coming Too Late for Some Stores
Anita Demetropoulos, a Maine shopkeeper, figured she would never see the day when her most relentless competitor, Amazon, would be forced to collect sales tax.
Now that Congress seems ready to do that, she is no longer sure it matters. Even in losing, the e-commerce powerhouse is triumphant. It no longer needs the tax break to vanquish its foes and could even make money by collecting the new taxes for other retailers.
Im surprised and glad this is happening, said Ms. Demetropoulos, who owns three toy stores with her husband. But Amazon wont rest until it gobbles up everyone and everything.
The Senate is poised to pass a bill to require all but the smallest online sellers to collect the tax. The House appears likely to follow suit. Although Amazons desire to avoid the tax played a fundamental role in its founding and growth, it is a supporter of the legislation.
As it builds new warehouses and extends its already considerable reach, Amazon is relying less on price than speedy delivery, free shipping and a selection that encompasses just about everything. Small retailers say Amazon was always a significant opponent, and is now a fearsome one.
full: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/27/technology/internet-sales-tax-coming-too-late-for-some-stores.html?pagewanted=all
grilled onions
(1,957 posts)I would never allow sales tax to swat me from buying something. If I need it,if I want it I will deal with the tax. The box stores were the curse of the independents from day one yet all those BBS(big box stores) carry almost identical stock. I have noticed from stores like Target to drug store chains like Walgreens always seem to carry virtually the same thing. This is why I would rather buy from independents. They put far more thought in their buying. They think of the customer, first and not the high profit margin. Many buy items made here or in locations where they do not churn them out and it's obvious when you see the quality. I only buy on line what I cannot get locally. I wish we could find a happy medium. I would love to see handcrafted items sold in every town. I would like to see more independent bookstores than Starbucks. I would like to see grocery stores carrying more exotic teas the soda and more whole grain breads then corn chips! There I go dreaming again!
Igel
(35,197 posts)Not from Amazon. But I suppose that it'll push up the cost of the books I buy from the relatively small Internet Russian bookstore (and others like it).
I wonder if ABE and Addall will collect TX sales tax for the books I buy, or if the individual small booksellers in Colorado or Iowa will have to collect the sales tax.
Not sure how the college bookstores will handle sales tax when I buy my licensed emblematic gear from them to show school loyalty.
Sometimes being "anti" a large behemoth is not the same as being "pro" the little guy.