macentropist wrote:
I have a couple very good suggestions, Amazon, Adorama, and B&H Photo, the tax savings alone make them worth the time and effort.
Agreed with the savings. I've been shopping on Amazon for almost everything now. No taxes at all and I love it. And if you get a Prime account on Amazon you get free 2 day shipping. Here's a good read on what Amazon Prime does for you.
Just do the math on how much you'll save not paying taxes on the thousands of dollars worth of equipment throughout the years.
Just because Amazon does not collect taxes does not mean you do not owe them. There are forms and means to pay the sales tax (or use tax). In the past, not paying sales tax was hard for the state to catch. With better connectivity and computers, who knows. With the wonderful state of our state, they may become more aggressive in the future. You would then have to pay the tax and penalties.
(Don't shoot me.)
I like Samys. Several times a year they have a no sales tax sale. Some items are not available like Apple things and Canon 5d mk iii. Best of both worlds. No sales tax owed (legally) and local service.
JimUe wrote:
When i visited LA, I visited Samy's for SDHC cards. I found them friendly, honest & knowledgable.
Interesting....
Whenever you shop at Samys do some research before you go. Know the price of whatever you want to buy and not the internet price from BH, the walk thru the door price. Make an offer and stick to it.
Samys has a system of variable pricing. If you don;t know what something should cost you could be charged in many cases MSRP. If you don;t look or act like you just fell off the turnip truck they will "make you a deal". If you know that Canoga has it for $$$$ less and can prove it and they will match it. But why not just go to Canoga in the first place?
They used to have two prices, if you looked it up on their website and got a price but tried to purchase in the store for that decent price, you can't. They had 2 different prices. Not sure they still do as I don't shop their if at all possible. Canoga and Calumet have one price, live or online.
It's fun to visit to see all the stuff as its a very big store. To be hones before I caught on to their ways of working I bought my 1Ds on a no sales tax day and they gave me the same price as Canoga. They don;t do that anymore they will either match a lower price or no sales tax, not both.
I have found Canoga, Calumet and other stores much more honest, knowledgable and friendly.
Like that old folk song, just be sure "to keep your eye on the scale and your hand on your dollar".
andylaiphoto wrote:
Agreed with the savings. I've been shopping on Amazon for almost everything now. No taxes at all and I love it. And if you get a Prime account on Amazon you get free 2 day shipping. Here's a good read on what Amazon Prime does for you.
Just do the math on how much you'll save not paying taxes on the thousands of dollars worth of equipment throughout the years.
Doesn't FL have a use tax? CA does...but FL is a little wacky sometimes so they may not. But if they do you are liable to pay that tax, another reason not to use a real name on the interweb!!
