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Posted By: jchuzi save on sales tax - 05/07/19 10:48 AM
BH PhotoVideo now has a credit card that will refund sales tax in many states that it has, in the past, been forced to collect. The sales tax is still paid to the state, but BH gives you an instant rebate if you use the card. Full information can be obtained here.
Posted By: artie505 Re: save on sales tax - 05/07/19 03:23 PM
My reaction to the title of this thread was "spam" until I saw who posted it. grin

The card saves a NYC resident 8.875%, which is an awfully big amount; I don't get why B&H is doing it.

I virtually never buy from B&H, but I may get the card anyway simply because I'd be a fool to ignore it. (I don't see the interest rate mentioned in the FAQs.)
Posted By: jchuzi Re: save on sales tax - 05/07/19 03:46 PM
BH is probably doing it because they lose sales to out-of-state vendors that don't collect sales tax. Personally, I have used Samy's Camera for that very reason. Samy's prices are the same as BH but, as you said, the sales tax can be quite large.
Posted By: artie505 Re: save on sales tax - 05/08/19 08:55 AM
Not that I haven't played the game myself, but I'd have no problem with mandatory sales tax collection by Internet vendors.

They've got enough of an inherent edge over brick & mortar vendors that they shouldn't need the extra perk of being able to deprive states of their sales tax to be viable businesses.
Posted By: jchuzi Re: save on sales tax - 05/08/19 09:40 AM
Here are some details: B&H Payboo Credit Card FAQ: here's how the no sales tax discount works
Posted By: artie505 Re: save on sales tax - 05/08/19 10:16 AM
Thanks for the link.

I had already read through the FAQs and seen that it's a nice concept in that the states are getting their share even while the customers are saving it.

It's an interesting experiment; I wonder how it'll work out for them in terms of lost revenue at their NYC store, i.e. is it a crap-shoot or is it based on actuarial assumptions?
Posted By: jchuzi Re: save on sales tax - 05/08/19 10:34 AM
They must have already done the math. It would not surprise me if direct competitors, like Adorama, follow suit. Adorama, of course, is located in NYC as well.
Posted By: artie505 Re: save on sales tax - 05/08/19 10:46 AM
If the concept is viable, it will probably spread to other states...certainly high tax states like CA.

More: The interesting thing about this card is that it's a NO-BRAINER MUST for EVERY New Yorker who patronizes B&H.
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