Online Orders and TAXES

I have been following this forum for a long time, and have finally decided to go for a laptop..

I have decided on the Acer 1681WLMi, for the centrino technology. Battery is a bit small, I know, but I intend to get it changed anyways!

My dilemma is that the online prices of this machine are around $1280. However, after visitng various stores around the Seattle, WA area, I am getting an average of $1450 + 8.8% taxes, which turns out to be around $1577! That's a LOT more than what I would've paid if I had ordered online.

So I want to ask all of you who have ordered their machine online.. what are the HIDDEN costs of the order? is the machine taxable? when ordering you only have to pay the sticker price + shipping, but there is no mention of taxes!! So what do I do??

I'm geting a better deal online. But is it safe? I mean, if the machine does NOT turn out to be right? can I take some "recovery" actions involving the credit card company?

Also, I believe newegg.com is the best deal around? If possible, please list your experiences with ANY online ordering store.. I'd really want to be informed about what I'm going in for..

 

Hi, I always buy my high ticket items online, one because they are cheaper and second no sales tax. Some online retailers do charge tax if they have a physical location in your state. So just find a retailer that is out of state. The only costs are shipping and thats much less than tax, even if you overnight it. Just buy from a reputable dealer, checkout their customer ratings and comments at www.resellerratings.com
I've bought lots of stuff from newegg; including my 1st IBM thinkpad and it went very well. Also look at www.mwave.com they have great prices as well.
You can always contest charges with your card company.
Do you really have 8.8% tax???
If that's so, I don't see how anyone would buy anything local except groceries...8.8 is really pushing beyond the resonable limit.

Jack

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
http://pbase.com/joneill

 

In Canada we usually have 15% sales tax, but it varies from province to province. In most places it's broken up into GST (federal tax) and PST (provincial tax), but in some provinces it's an all-inclusive HST (harmonized tax), and in Alberta there's no PST at all. Grocery items are not taxed, and depending on the region certain items like books aren't provincially taxed.

Normally, we don't pay taxes on things shipped from out-of-province, but we generally do pay tax on things shipped from the U.S., based on what customs decides the item is worth. On things like computers, duty is often applied, unless they're ordered from the country of manufacture and we have a free trade agreement with that country. So, unless all the parts are made in the U.S.A., we pay duty.

Not that this applies to you, but I thought I'd throw it in here for general information.

 

Hi Dr.awkward,
Here in the US 8.8% is a very high tax rate. Sure you guys up north may pay 15%, but you get more for your money. Here in the US everyone has to pay for their own health care and health insurance. Does'nt your higher 15% pay for your health care as well? Down here if you lose your job (and a lot of people down here have) you have to pay for all your own healthcare premiums. Seven years ago I was laid off my job and I had to pay $800/month for healthcare for my family. That was more than my mortgage payment. I could not pay it and I was very lucky nothing bad happened dutring that time. I've heard from firends that the price has now gone to around $1600 USD for your own healthcare premiums. Needlees to say I would be happy to pay 15% sales tax if healthcare were included.

Jack

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
http://pbase.com/joneill

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by bootleg2go

 

Hi Dr. Awkard,
A quick OT question, does Canada had income tax? It's were they the government takes money from your paycheck as well. In the end us guys down here in the US probably pay more than %60 of our income on taxes of one kind or another (that is unless your rich, then with all the deductions even though the tax rate is higher, the actual amount of taxes paid is very low) When you figure most people pay ~%25-30 federal taxes from your paycheck then most all state have an income tax as well thats around %5, then a few more percent for social security, your up around %40 or more and you have not even spent your money where another 6-8% is added plus dozens of special taxes.

Jack

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
http://pbase.com/joneill

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by bootleg2go

 

as an oft-confused canadian, thank you kindly dr. awkward for making it all so simple

 

We pay 17.5% on sales in the UK, more for some things like petrol and only avoid this on a very few items 9ref books IIRC but since they usually put the price on the cover and make it the same in pounds as US dollars this doesn't really matter.
Then you have income tax which goes up to a much higher % than others have quoted here. Then there is another charge based on income for things like social security, health etc.

Not to mention import duties are high, they even charge you for opening things to examine them on top of this, and prices are much higher than you have to pay in the first place.

 

Only 5 or 6 years ago health insurance premiums seemed very affordable with fantastic coverage to match. Well look at current price at http://www.insurance-quote-free.com Im also looking for one, if you're an individual or family who pays for health insurance today chances are you're literally getting punched in the pocket book, and it hurts.

 

In my home country there is 22% VAT, 20-35% income tax, %40 something like Social Security, high duties and $1,35 for 1 liter of gasoline, so don't make me laugh with your problems...

 

My parents live in the Carribeans (Montserrat to be precise)...
50% import tax. Even higher on booze. The island doesn't manufacture any electronics or cars, so if you bring in a car, new or used, you have to pay %50 duty to bring it in...
Computers are exempt...

 

Just as a note, technically while some online retailers don't charge you taxes (because they don't have a physical presence in your state) you are still liable for the taxes, while the IRS may never catch upto you, they might.

 

Zombie post, from almost 19 months ago

 

On the subject, what taxes does cdw.ca charge? I live in ontario if that makes a difference