This is the reason why I rather buy film online.

[Pieter12]

As a perk, the store is not obligated to charge CA sales tax

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."

 

[logan2z]

Mikes Camera has a bunch of locations in NorCal, and they have a very good film selection.

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.

 

[logan2z]

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 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.

 

[Huss]

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.

The Leica Store in LA has been great - the opposite of your experience in SF. Long story short... and I apologize for mentioning a digital camera... a few years ago I bought a new Leica M-E from Samys in LA. I figured this was a big tkt purchase and by supporting my local camera store, they would also support me if I need it. Well... that camera broke (sensor issue) a couple of months into use, so still in warranty. Took it to Samys, they were very rude and wanted to charge me to ship it to Leica! Even though I bought it from them! I told them I could have bought it from B&H and saved $1K in tax, and wouldn't have a problem to then ship it on my dime..
Anyway.. at the time it broke the Leica Store opened in LA, I took it to them, they immediately took care of everything w/ of course no charge to me.

Moral of the story? Supporting your local doesn't always mean they'll support you. I'll buy film from them, but big ticket items? Nope.

 

[BrianShaw]

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.

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.

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.

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/pay/use-tax.html

 

[logan2z]

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.

I see this in the Use Tax Collection Requirements:

On April 25, 2019, California passed Assembly Bill No. (AB) 147 (Stats. 2019, ch. 5). AB 147 amended Revenue and Taxation Code (RTC) section 6203 to require retailers located outside of California (remote sellers, including foreign sellers located outside of the United States) to register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and collect California use tax if, during the preceding or current calendar year, the total combined sales of tangible personal property for delivery in California by the retailer and all persons related to the retailer exceed $500,000.

Perhaps they are always under this limit and therefore are not obligated to collect CA sales tax.

 

[BrianShaw]

Perhaps they are always under this limit and therefore are not obligated to collect CA sales tax.

LOL... perhaps.

 

[logan2z]

LOL... perhaps.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Some retailers (online or otherwise) choose not to collect the sales tax. They are still obligated to keep records and pay that tax, however -- just not required by law to pass that taxation along to their customers (in essence, they're pricing it in as overhead cost, since it's an expense they have to account for in their profit and loss balance).

 

[MurrayMinchin]

When I bought my 4x5 gear in the early 1980's it was a two day drive to either Calgary or Vancouver to buy sheet film over the counter. Nothing has changed, except I could now order on the Internet rather than by phone.

When my 4x5 arrived in the mail (Zone VI 4x5 outfit discovered in a magazine ad) it was the first one I had ever seen in real life.

 

[Paul Howell]

There a number of camera shops that still film in Phoenix Metro area, I buy Tmax and Ektar locally, Tempe Camera and Wilson's Camera. For Foma and now Finess I shop online.

 

[unwantedfocus]

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. 1 Euro okay fine but 4 Euro is nearly a whole roll BW film, however they do sell Portra 400, 1 cent cheaper than on Fotoimpex.

It feels more like in general shops exploit your situation, you need film, we have it, but it will cost you.

Would go back for Portra 400, no more Ektar.

 

[BrianShaw]

That sounds to me like a very wise decision. It might be worth politely mentioning to them that you would have bought Ektar, also, but can’t abide by the price. Feedback is good and they might make a change… either on the spot or in the future.

 

[Arthurwg]

I needed a roll of 35mm TriX in a hurry. Local story wanted $11.00+. That seemed expensive.

 

[MattKing]

My favourite local store sometimes pays to buy retail and import from the US rather than paying the higher wholesale prices from authorized Canadian distributors.
In the past, they have bought "consumer" film from distributors who supply grocery and drug and convenience stores rather than distributors who specialize in supplying photographic stores, because the wholesale prices and/or minimum order quantities are better.
The distribution system is fragmented and inefficient and, in many cases, multi-layered.
And the big internet sellers work on margins that wouldn't keep the lights on in a regular brick and mortar store, much less employ the staff.

 

[Pieter12]

I needed a roll of 35mm TriX in a hurry. Local story wanted $11.00+. That seemed expensive.

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.

 

[removed account4]

I wish I could afford buying from the local photo stores near me, at least I use the one lab that's left. I wish there were more places but that's life I guess. OP you should feel lucky that you have a place you can help stay alive in these difficult times.

 

[faberryman]

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.

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. I just quit making the half hour trip over there. Their prices were fine. The pandemic spelled doom for them.

 

[BradS]

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.

Glass Key in the city have a fantastic selection and very competitive prices....they're still there...aren't they?

EDIT: OK, i see I'm late to the party. I should learn to read before spouting off...

 

[Huss]

I needed a roll of 35mm TriX in a hurry. Local story wanted $11.00+. That seemed expensive.

Well if you needed it in a hurry that is actually very cheap.
If you placed a rush express order for one roll of film from B&H, for example, shipping is $13.27. So while their low low price for TriX is $8.84, your total before tax would have been $24 for one roll of tri-X

$11 is a screaming deal!

 

[Old_Dick]

Online, no sales tax in NH. Free shipping after $50 order.

 

[Sirius Glass]

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."

If you did not pay the tax, you are supposed to report to the state and pay the tax. Yeh, like that will every happen.

 

[logan2z]

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.

I've had that experience many times in the past as well. The interaction usually goes something like this:

Me: "I'm looking for <insert product name here>"

Salesperson: "We don't have it in stock, but we can order it for you".

Me: "Can you tell me how long that will take?"

Salesperson: "It's currently out of stock at our warehouse, but we should be able to get it here within a couple of weeks"

Me (in my head): "I can order it myself and have it in two days, for less"

Me (look on my face):

Me (speaking to salesperson): "Thanks, I'll let you know if I decide to order it"

Me (typing on my phone two minutes later): bhphotovideo.com

I feel for brick and mortar stores, but the model just doesn't make a lot of sense anymore. To remain relevant, you need to offer something besides your existence in the local market and your service as an order taker.

 

[Huss]

Same thing would happen to me when I used to ride motos. Would go to the local shop, ask for tyres, or a chain, or a helmet. "Don't have it in stock, but we can order it"...
Ya, so can I, I'll get it quicker, it would be shipped directly to my house, and for less..

 

[BradS]

Same experience at the local bookstore.