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<p>BB, perhaps you have better luck at finding bargain buys than I. As long as internet sales are not taxed, at 8.75% for my location,Blue Nile (I mainly look for loose diamonds and custom set on my own) remains just a bit cheaper to me. However, I have bought jewellery at Costco store on a whim but didn’t compare prices.</p>
<p>Where is there an 8.75% sales tax?</p>
<p>A coastal city near Silicon Valley.</p>
<p>New York City has 8.875% sales tax.</p>
<p>I guess that would put a damper on buying things.</p>
<p>Cbreeze, if you live in a state that charges sales tax, don’t you have to pay it anyway? So in the end it does not matter much, the tax just gets deferred.</p>
<p>Try 9.5% for the majoriry of western WA. But I am not complaining - I love the fact that I do not have to fill out a state return 
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<p>(My Costco is located in the “Town of Grace” - the tax rate here is 7.8%. )</p>
<p>Most people in NH don’t have to fill out a state return - just those of us with a lot of interest and dividend income. I’m so used to not paying sales taxes that I forget about the effects that it has on consumer spending. So about $200 on a $3,000 ring.</p>
<p>NH is a very special state. I doubt our 9.5% tax deterrs anyone here from buying expensive stuff if they really want or need something…
(Not related to rings… I just found out that Mr B is thinking about buying a $90K object - tax-free. :eek:)</p>
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<p>I pay a higher % of income tax than the vice president and the president of the US when my income is lower than theirs.
Nope, I don’t report internet sales tax when the internet retailer doesn’t charge me. Report me.</p>
<p>LOL, cbreeze, I will report you… when hell freezes over. :D</p>
<p>Diamond studded treadmill?</p>
<p>cbreeze, The states have recently become very, very aggressive in tracking down use tax owed on out of state purchases, especially on big ticket items such as jewelry, appliances etc. It is really only a matter of time before you get a letter. In addition, they makes you sign a statement on your tax return attesting to the fact that you owe no such tax.</p>
<p>sorry, BC, I meant to say use tax.</p>
<p>The IRS deals with Federal taxes and there are no general Federal sales taxes and the Feds don’t usually get mixed up with the State DORs.</p>
<p>BC, You are right - state, not federal, but the same concept applies.</p>
<p>It may be that the states get a lot more aggressive - they might go after credit card receipts, demand records from vendors out of state (MA tried this and lost in court) and try other approaches to force compliance. But it would be for relatively small amounts of money. I have heard of a few stories of states going after high net-worth individuals on sales taxes. Perhaps tom (NJ Tax Official) could comment if he watches over here.</p>
<p>We have lots of people coming over the border from Canada, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and Europe to buy sales-tax-free and hopefully get in a little skiing or hiking. It seems that avoiding sales taxes carries no social stigma.</p>
<p>We should probably start a separate thread.</p>
<p>Delaware also is sales tax free – but you have to drive on I-95 to get there. That generally proves to be an effective deterrent. ;)</p>
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<p>Pretty close guess, BC! It does have an electric motor (maybe even 2) an contains a load of a fairly expensive and rare metal, although in the form of its salts. 
TDB, it is an anti-exercise machine.</p>
<p>Sigh. OTOH, I have been warned that UPS will deliver a package on Monday. I will have to sign but must not open it.</p>
<p>^^ That’s just mean. :(</p>
<p>Ah, Elon Musk toys.</p>
<p>One of those, BC. The good thing is that he periodically wants one, but it never goes past the "want’ stage. Just like my browsing of Costco jewelry case 
Hey, maybe that’s what is in the box! :D</p>
<p>Despite the little disagreements here and there, this is a happy thread. Our kiddos are going to start their own families! Congratulations to all future CC MOG and MOB!</p>