They are obligated to charge sales tax: "retailers located outside of California are required to register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), collect the California use tax, and pay the tax to the CDTFA based on the amount of their sales into California, even if they do not have a physical presence in the state."As a perk, the store is not obligated to charge CA sales tax
They only have one location that's remotely close to me (Menlo Park). I have been there, but it's been a while and they didn't have film at that time. Maybe it's time to check them out again, thanks for the reminder.Mikes Camera has a bunch of locations in NorCal, and they have a very good film selection.
I specifically asked before I bought from them and I was told they did not need to collect CA sales tax. Perhaps they are not well versed in the tax laws.They are obligated to charge sales tax: "retailers located outside of California are required to register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), collect the California use tax, and pay the tax to the CDTFA based on the amount of their sales into California, even if they do not have a physical presence in the state."
I don't disagree, but there have been cases where I wondered if my support of a local business was actually valued at all by that business. Not film related, necessarily, but here's one example: The Leica Store in San Francisco.
Let's not get into the whole "who's stupid enough to spend the money on a Leica camera?" because the answer is obviously "I am", but I bought my M-A, a lens and a bunch of other stuff from that store and I'm virtually ignored every time I walk in there. And when I do manage to talk to someone they seem completely disinterested in my business. I did bear with it "in support of my local store" (not really that local, as I've pointed out in this thread), but I eventually gave up and starting buying my Leica gear elsewhere. Sure, I'm ordering online now and can't necessarily touch/feel the product before I buy it, but the out-of-state Leica dealer I've been dealing with is a real pleasure and every purchase has been as smooth as silk. As a perk, the store is not obligated to charge CA sales tax on my purchases so I'm saving a bit of money too.
So, while I am generally in agreement that it is good to support local businesses, some simply don't deserve that support.
Every once in a while I find an online commercial seller who isn't collecting CA tax. Not sure why not. I wish they would because then I need to report it on Line 91 of the 540. I'd rather not have to do their work for them.I specifically asked before I bought from them and I was told they did not need to collect CA sales tax. Perhaps they are not well versed in the tax laws.
The use tax has been in effect in California since July 1, 1935. It applies to purchases of merchandise for use in California from out-of-state sellers and is similar to the sales tax paid on purchases you make in California. If you have not already paid all use tax due to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, you may be able to report and pay the use tax due on your state income tax return CA Franchise Tax Board.
I see this in the Use Tax Collection Requirements:I specifically asked before I bought from them and I was told they did not need to collect CA sales tax. Perhaps they are not well versed in the tax laws.
Perhaps they are always under this limit and therefore are not obligated to collect CA sales tax.
LOL... perhaps.
It's all market-driven, especially with film as it is perishable. There must be enough customers in your area willing to pay that price for the store to be able to sell it before it expires.I needed a roll of 35mm TriX in a hurry. Local story wanted $11.00+. That seemed expensive.
Saying that it's okay to pay such prices, is not okay for me. I choose to pay an adequate price for the film after comparing it to other stores/online options. I'm not handing out free money for nostalgia reasons.
That ship has already sailed, at least in the SF Bay Area. There are almost no physical camera stores, and the one or two that are hanging on don't sell film.
I needed a roll of 35mm TriX in a hurry. Local story wanted $11.00+. That seemed expensive.
They are obligated to charge sales tax: "retailers located outside of California are required to register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), collect the California use tax, and pay the tax to the CDTFA based on the amount of their sales into California, even if they do not have a physical presence in the state."
I've had that experience many times in the past as well. The interaction usually goes something like this:I wanted to support my local photo store but they didn’t carry the stuff I wanted, and when they did it was frequently out of stock.
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