BTO resellers?

[Maverick]

Any there any resellers that offer a BTO option like Apple does? I'd like to customize my Mac, but Apple's sales tax drives the price way up.

 

[Sun Baked]

But you still have to pay the "6.25% Use Tax" on out-of-state purchases in Texas.

 

[Maverick]

But you still have to pay the "6.25% Use Tax" on out-of-state purchases in Texas.

Crap.

 

[jimsowden]

Drive out of state, buy at an apple autorized reseller, and have them ship it to you. No tax, just shipping.

 

[Capt Underpants]

Drive out of state, buy at an apple autorized reseller, and have them ship it to you. No tax, just shipping.

The nearest Apple store outside of Texas is in Tennessee. Thats a while away. Might as well just pay the tax. Forget the out of state Apple store, and buy what you want.

 

[solvs]

PowerMax has some good deals and you can call or customize on the website. Even better, they're in OR. No sales tax. You do have to pay for shipping though.

 

[MacRAND]

Apple BTO through Small Dog out of Vermont

Are there any resellers who offer a BTO option like Apple does?
I'd like to customize my Mac, but Apple's sales tax drives the price way up.

For many years, I have heard very good things about buying BTO from Small Dog,
very Apple friendly: http://www.smalldog.com/
Talk to these people, they won't bite:

sales@smalldog.com
1673 Main Street
Waitsfield, Vermont 05673 USA

Toll Free Sales: 800-511-MACS
Tech Support: 802-496-7171
Fax: 802-496-6257

 

[MacRAND]

BTO thru PowerMax

PowerMax has some good deals and you can call or customize on the website. Even better, they're in OR. No sales tax. You do have to pay for shipping though.

Sales Questions - sales@powermax.com
or call them, toll-free at 1-888-769-7629
(Portland/Lake Oswego calling area 503-624-1827)(Fax 503-624-1635)

Build to Order through PowerMax!
Call one of their consultants to design your custom G4, iMac, iBook or PowerBook to your exact specifications! Your hard drive size, your video card, your internal peripherals- any way you want it, all custom-built for you by Apple! You can also try out their Configurator to give them an idea of what you are looking for. Give it a try!

Trade up your old Mac!
They are one of the few dealers out there that will take in your old Mac on trade towards a new one. Put your old machine to work towards getting that new G5 you really want!

Get Current Rebates!
There is nothing like a rebate to make a good deal a great deal! They've got a whole ton of rebates available on our many products right now, so download whichever you need, and get some money back! Check out their sight for a list of current rebates available to you.

Expect Professional treatment from an Apple Product Specialist

SAVE $5 OFF ANY ORDER OVER $100
Complete a survey at: http://www.powermax.com/survey.html
and you will be given a special code which you can use either while ordering on line or via phone, and $5 will be taken off your order! Valid on orders of $100 or more.

 

[blackfox]

Any there any resellers that offer a BTO option like Apple does? I'd like to customize my Mac, but Apple's sales tax drives the price way up.

where do you live in Texas? If it is in/near Austin, just befriend someone from the sprawling Apple complex there, and get a discount...last time I remember employees get three 10%discounts and one 30% a year...most people don't buy that much equipment...you might find someone to help in this forum (or others)
Just a suggestion...

 

[klyau6]

Drive out of state, buy at an apple autorized reseller, and have them ship it to you. No tax, just shipping.

do Apple resellers not charge tax or something? is it just Apple Retail stores and their online store?

 

[MacRAND]

do Apple resellers not charge tax or something? is it just Apple Retail stores and their online store?

Currently, there is no tax collectable on INTERSTATE Commerce (citizens of one state buy something in another state [across state lines] from their state). Reason - one state has no right to charge or collect a TAX on SALES made (transacted through commerce) in another state, this would infringe on federal INTERSTATE COMMERCE, and that is a Constitutional no-no.

We pay taxes on INTRASTATE transactions where we live, meaning within our own state, county, city, neighborhood.

That's why you see statements on websites saying (NO Sales Tax, except residents of ARIZONA) if Arizona is where the "business" is domiciled . Phone orders made to California from Arizona qualify as Interstate Commerce, as long as DELIVERY is outside of California. If you come to California to save shipping, you will probably save shipping, but you will now have to pay the local sales - because DELIVERY was NOT covered within the meaning of INTERSTATE COMMERCE.

There are some states like NEVADA which have NO SALES TAX (and maybe either Deleware or New Hampshire , but I can't remember).

Then states like COLORADO have 10% sales tax, while Arizona is only 8%.

So, if you live in TEXAS and buy a computer from a "store" domiciled in LOUISIANA, NEW YORK or CALIFORNIA, you probably will not have to pay tax. The only advantage someone in COLORADO would have in buying an Apple Computer while in NEW MEXICO is that maybe the Sales Tax charged in Santa Fe is only 5%, or half what it a 10% Sales Tax is back home in Denver.

There are EXCEPTIONS to this (and every) RULE, and it is NOT a good exception.. Large corporations like IBM, APPLE, XEROX, and GENERAL MOTORS are "domesticated" (have a business presence) in virtually every state in the union, and pay local taxes, INCLUDING SALES TAX, in each state where they are in fact domiciled.

So, it doesn't make any difference whether you buy at an Apple Retail Store in your state or in the state next door, Apple is going to collect the "local sales tax" where that store is physically located.

If you buy from the online Apple Store, then Apple adds your "local state sales tax" where the SHIPMENT is going to be DELIVERED, usually to where you live, not where Apple answers the phone, office that processes the order, or even where their warehouse is located.

Therefore, if you want to AVOID PAYING TAXES that you would normally pay in your home state (Colorado, for example) pick an online catalog / warehouse store that does NOT operate in your home state of Colorado, otherwise, you are going to pay $470 in 10% Sales Taxes on a new G5 Dual something plus a 20" Cinema Display that totals $4,700. If you buy from Apple online or at the Denver Apple Store, the total bill is $4,700 + $470 tax = $5,170.

With the money you save from paying taxes, you could buy AppleCare for the new CPU and LCD monitor (which Apple includes FREE when you buy both at the same time from Apple) plus .Mac for a full year, and maybe some software. Or, you could be a "good citizen" and pay your taxes.

 

[Sun Baked]

Currently, there is no tax collectable on INTERWith the money you save from paying taxes, you could buy AppleCare for the new CPU and LCD monitor (which Apple includes FREE when you buy both at the same time from Apple) plus .Mac for a full year, and maybe some software. Or, you could be a "good citizen" and pay your taxes.

Then there are states like California, Arizona, and Texas which require residents to pay tax on all purchases (even out-of-state) and some services -- but generally don't require you to pay tax on items as long as you've paid more somewhere else.

But these taxes aren't generally well known, though you're supposed to be a good little freak as pay your "Use Tax".

Though California should have Use Tax as a line item on their state tax form for 2003, and will more likely start database mining credit cards, and business/home office deductions for equipment purchase to recapture lost Use Tax.

California loves the credit cards, because they're public information and don't require a court order and/or probable cause like actual bank accounts. They're been doing it for years to nail people for failing to file CA tax forms.

Now I'd expect them to really try to find a huge chunk of money in Use Tax this season.

Because of budget shortfalls in Az they're looking for about an extra $250 million in Use Taxes.

Don't know what Texas is doing though to recapture all the unpaid Use Tax.

 

[MacRAND]

Then there are states like California, Arizona, and Texas which require residents to pay tax on all purchases (even out-of-state) and some services -- but generally don't require you to pay tax on items as long as you've paid more somewhere else.

But these taxes aren't generally well known, though you're supposed to be a good little freak as pay your "Use Tax".

Because of budget shortfalls in Az their looking for about an extra $250 million in use taxes.

Yes, ARIZONA had a hefty postage bill recently when they sent out USE TAX returns to everyone trying to cover that $250 million short fall.

And, thank you, Sun Baked, for covering USE TAX, my post was long enough and I don't know enough about use taxes to do it justice. You obviously do, and did. Thanks.

 

[Naimfan]

A couple points...

State sales tax in Colorado is 2.9%. City, county, and special taxing districts account for the balance of the 7.2% sales tax in Denver (outrageously high, if you ask...).

The only states that might not have use taxes are those with no sales taxes. So a Coloradan who orders something from, say, MacZone would be legally obligated to pay the use tax to the state at the end of the year. Of course, almost no one does, and there is not yet an effective way for states to audit it.

Best,

Bob

 

[Sun Baked]

California is going to be the poster child this year, since they're looking at billions of dollars ($1.2 billion in net purchases alone) in unpaid Use Tax.

They've done quite well with the database mining and credit card scans in the past and have ended up with quite a few requests for audits of residents and non-residents, and hefty fines when the credit card lifestyle showed a lavish lifestyle compare to the miserly claims on the tax returns.

Because companies and home offices always try to make use of deductions on equipment, I'd expect them to easily show cause for audit when personal/corporate credit cards show out of state equipment purchases, tax deductions for equipment, and no Use Tax Due.

Then there are those individuals with huge out-of-state credit card purchases and no Use Tax Due.

If they do quite well, expect a feeding frenzy from all the other states, as they search for tax revenue.

 

[MacRAND]

Mountain High taxes in Telluride, CO in July of 1988

State sales tax in Colorado is 2.9%. City, county, and special taxing districts account for the balance of the 7.2% sales tax in Denver (outrageously high, if you ask...).
Bob

BOB, sorry to pick on the Rocky Mountain High state, but the last time I was there was to attend a Telluride Jazz Festival with my wife Michele - amazingly beautiful place, fun and romantic.
Two shocks
(1) Sales Taxes when we bought things was 10% or maybe a fraction more.
(2) Nine months later, Michele and I welcomed our 3rd daughter (last child) into the world, and named her Kelly Rose. She still doesn't know why we call her our "Rocky Mountain High" girl.
Sure the music was good, but after 3 days, anything can get boring.
Ok, our room didn't have a TV, but Michele found a comfortable loft...

Kelly Rose is in high school now, and her favorite music?
Jazz! and Bob Denver tunes, especially Rocky Mountain High

 

[smharmon]

I live in Alabama, and I think it is true for most states. If you don't pay the taxes on an out of state purchase when you buy, you must pay them by the end of the year on your tax return. If you don't it can make for a really nasty audit. (There is actually a place on my return where you have to list your un-taxed out of state purchases, and pay the due tax)