Arnold's on our side - go crazy!

[multiweb (Marc)]

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=3409

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Uh uh ahh... read the fine print Marc.

Only for those customers that buy direct from the store.

. Yeah, that's it...that's the ticket! OPT, a proud California business, will pay the state sales tax* for their California customers during our Sales Tax Termination Sale.

however they do go on to say further down:

This offer is good whether you shop at OPT in person, by phone, or via our website, although take note of our hours of operation when shopping at the store or by phone.

might need to make a phone call. wonder how much that would take of a PME

[gary]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

wonder how much that would take of a PME

Hi Paul,

I could probably answer that for you and the answer is almost certainly that it
would save you nothing.

The United States has incredibly complex sales tax system that differs from
state to state and sometimes within local counties within a state.

For example, the State of California levies 8.25% sales tax but local counties can
levy additional taxes which then bring it up to 10.75%.

Since the individual states administer sales tax and since their jurisdiction
is only within the boundaries of their state, you tend to only pay sales tax
in a state when you are physically present in that state. For example, interstate
and overseas purchasers tend not to have to pay a state's sales tax.

A similar situation exists in Australia with regards GST in that if you reside
outside of Australia and purchase something from Australia, you don't pay
Australian GST.

By comparison, the state-based US sales tax system is bewilderingly complex
with different rates in different states with different exemptions.

Travelers to the US will also be use to the phenomena of accumulating huge
amounts of coinage in change. One goes into a grocery store and say picks out
a packet of pistachio nuts. You read the price tag and it might say, 89c.
You then go through your assorted collection on quarters, nickels, dimes and
pennies and have the exact amount ready for when you reach the cash
register. The cashier rings up the item and then some additional percentage
of sales tax gets added, throwing your preparedness of having the right amount ready
out the window. With a queue impatiently waiting behind you and not wishing to
fumble with more coins, you hand the cashier another buck and accumulate even
more change.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Paul,

I could probably answer that for you and the answer is almost certainly that it
would save you nothing.

The United States has incredibly complex sales tax system that differs from
state to state and sometimes within local counties within a state.

For example, the State of California levies 8.25% sales tax but local counties can
levy additional taxes which then bring it up to 10.75%.

Since the individual states administer sales tax and since their jurisdiction
is only within the boundaries of their state, you tend to only pay sales tax
in a state when you are physically present in that state. For example, interstate
and overseas purchasers tend not to have to pay a state's sales tax.

A similar situation exists in Australia with regards GST in that if you reside
outside of Australia and purchase something from Australia, you don't pay
Australian GST.

By comparison, the state-based US sales tax system is bewilderingly complex
with different rates in different states with different exemptions.

Travelers to the US will also be use to the phenomena of accumulating huge
amounts of coinage in change. One goes into a grocery store and say picks out
a packet of pistachio nuts. You read the price tag and it might say, 89c.
You then go through your assorted collection on quarters, nickels, dimes and
pennies and have the exact amount ready for when you reach the cash
register. The cashier rings up the item and then some additional percentage
of sales tax gets added, throwing your preparedness of having the right amount ready
out the window. With a queue impatiently waiting behind you and not wishing to
fumble with more coins, you hand the cashier another buck and accumulate even
more change.

He is right...Sales Tax is a complex subject and the whole coin game is a huge pain in th neck. Having been back in the USA just over a year, I have already accumulated a couple of jars of change...but, I don't fret too much over them, I just think of them as my Astro gear savings pile and the great part about it is my wife is actually glad when I empty them out!

Missing the simple GST...

[omnivorr]

As I understand it those taxes are only applicable to local residents... the same as anyone outside of Oz does not pay our GST on purchases made online from there, we do not pay their taxes when buying from here in Oz.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

I ordered and paid online at OPT, and got the sales tax refunded to my account automatically !. This didnt happen everytime, pays to check.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Originally Posted by omnivorr

As I understand it those taxes are only applicable to local residents... the same as anyone outside of Oz does not pay our GST on purchases made online from there, we do not pay their taxes when buying from here in Oz.

Kind of..some states have recently (in the last year) also tried to tax internet and other sales (phone, distribution center location movement)...even from people living outside of their state claiming in at least one instance that the transaction happened in state and therefore should be taxed.

There are a few challenges on-going to these claims...

Always check your reciept!