American Sales TAX
- Thread starter acearchie
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New York City's sales tax rate is 8.375%, while LA's is 8.25%. Surrounding counties are likely a bit lower if you venture out that far.
nbs2
macrumors 68030
Perhaps buy on Amazon and have it shipped to your hotel? I'd check with the hotel to see what their policies are regarding held packages. If available, order well ahead of time and have it sent to the LA hotel. That way you can use it during your entire trip....
Unspeaked
macrumors 68020
What you're describing is a "use tax," and it applies to any state that has a sales tax of its own, not just California.
If state lawmakers have their way, online shops will have to start reporting large purchases (say, over $500) to a customer's state at the time of purchase if they reside in a "use tax" territory.
As it stands, you're legally obligated to report online purchases on your state tax form each year, assuming you live in one of these states...
devilot
Moderator emeritus
Even if you purchased from a B&M Apple store, you wouldn't be able to get any ol' configuration you wanted. So how is that any different from Amazon?
acearchie
macrumors 68040
Even if you purchased from a B&M Apple store, you wouldn't be able to get any ol' configuration you wanted. So how is that any different from Amazon?
Well last time I bought my powerbook I asked if it would be possible if I had wanted to, to upgrade the RAM etc... and they said yes! So i just kind of accepted it! sorry!
That www.powermax.com website looks pretty good! But then I thought why not just use the apple store? Will they not ship to a hotel?
Thanks
The only counties with a discounted tax rate are the mainly agricultural ones like Cumberland county. Even so, the discount is only half the regular sales tax, which was recently increased to 7%. You might as well drive to Delaware and save the extra 3.5%. The Apple Store at the Christiana Mall in Newark, DE is pretty nice; it's where I went to buy my MBP.
acearchie
macrumors 68040
Thanks for your help but I think its decided I am going to buy online and have it sent to the hotel!
Yeah, that definitely sounds like a better idea. NJ isn't fun to drive through, and I should know, being as I live there. DE's not too special, either. Have fun on your trip to NY though!
weldon
macrumors 6502a
With the cost of gas as it is, I'm not sure driving anywhere to save $50 would be a great idea. Having it shipped to your hotel from Amazon.com seems a much better idea.
Depending on what you like to do, I would recommend driving up to Santa Barbara from LA for your one day there. It's about 90 miles, but well worth it. I went to school there and stayed for another 6 years before moving. It's a sleepy tourist town with some nice beaches and the best restaurants you could ask for.
There's tons to do in NY, I won't even try to make recommendations.
Depending on what you like to do, I would recommend driving up to Santa Barbara from LA for your one day there. It's about 90 miles, but well worth it. I went to school there and stayed for another 6 years before moving. It's a sleepy tourist town with some nice beaches and the best restaurants you could ask for.
There's tons to do in NY, I won't even try to make recommendations.
acearchie
macrumors 68040
Yeh I know! I think to uncomplicate things I will buy it online and not have to travel anywhere considering America to by relatively unknown terratory to me!
P.s One small last question why is everyone suggesting I buy it off amazon instead of The Apple Website?
Thanks!
mojitochica
macrumors member
acearchie
macrumors 68040
Because Amazon doesn't charge sales tax
Oh sorry! So Im assuming that apple.com does then! Thanks for the clarification!
balamw
Moderator emeritus
Because Amazon doesn't charge sales tax
And often has $100 lower prices to begin with.
Downside is, no customization at all. limited to stock on hand.
B
dejo
Moderator emeritus
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
savar
macrumors 68000
It's definitely drivaable if you do about 14 hours a day. I've done 14 hours in one day before pretty easily, but 14 hours each day for three straight days? Youch. Why aren't you flying from NY to LA? Its another $200 if you buy now and then you'd have two days to hang out in NY, which is definitely worth seeing if you've never been there before.
IJ Reilly
macrumors P6
I doubt very much that Amazon will ship to a hotel room, but good luck!
I second the recommendation for Santa Barbara, but sleepy? Not anymore anyway! That town is jammed on the weekends, especially during the summer.
unsolvedmistere
macrumors member
Who ever has the nerve to tell this guy to drive anywhere needs some serious rethinking. He has two days in NY and 1 day in LA. Both these cities are world cities and need FAR more than a day to visit. Why would anyone in their right mind suggest leaving either of them with such limited time?
If you're flying to LA, you're probably going to LAX which is near Santa Monica. You'll want to head to the Apple store in Santa Monica - http://www.apple.com/retail/thirdstreetpromenade/week/20070218.html
Glad you won't be driving. I drove from Houston to LA before which took a little over 2 days. Five days would have been more sane to drive from NY to LA.
Glad you won't be driving. I drove from Houston to LA before which took a little over 2 days. Five days would have been more sane to drive from NY to LA.
sandman42
macrumors 6502a
Just in case you're actually considering this (I saw your post saying you're not, but...), bear in mind that Seattle to LA is not a trivial drive either. Reallistically it's 20 hours if you drive straight through with minimum stops and, uh, enthusiastic speed. People normally allow themselves at least a couple days just to make this drive.
No, you don't necessarily escape the sales tax by buying on-line. Here in Washington state we get charged sales tax when we buy from Amazon, because Amazon is based here. In this state if we buy on-line from any retailer that sells (brick & mortar) here or operates here, we still have to pay sales tax. Unfortunately I don't know how it is in other states, with Amazon or otherwise.
unsolvedmistere
macrumors member
I agree with this plan 110%. I have lived in Los Angeles for many years in addition to living in NY for a good amount of time. That being said, there are countless places I have not even visited in LA, and even if I have, I would be more than ecstatic to visit again. So in the case that you have visited LA, I would still NOT recommend leaving.
I don't know your exact flight schedule or money constraints, but assuming you arrive early AM and leave late PM, I would HIGHLY recommend you fallow this itinerary. Come into LAX and make your way to Santa Monica. This is about 15-20 min drive without traffic and about an hour if happen to arrive during rush hour (~ 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM). You will arrive at 3rd Street Promenade where you can stop by the Apple Store and purchase your computer (unless you have it shipped somewhere). At the same time, you have top notch stores that most would be jealous to even step foot in. The 3rd Street Promenade is basically an outdoor mall with great shopping, dining, and even street entertainment. You can find out all you need about the promenade at http://www.downtownsm.com/ From there, I would make some combination, if not do all, of these choices. Your first choice is to stay in Santa Monica either at the 3rd Street Promenade if you have a lot of shopping to do or by the beach where you can visit both the beach, pier, and Main Street. You can google any of these to find out more information. Your 2nd choice, which I suggest, is to take a 10 minute trip to Venice Beach. There are hundreds of souvenir-style store huts where you can purchase gifts of all kinds for friends and family back home. When I say "all kinds" I mean all kinds. This includes anything from hand blown "water pipes," knockoff sunglasses, and art from local artists. Additionally, while shopping there, you can take in the "California Sun" and truly appreciate what many movies and dreams have been inspired by. The third option, like I said depending on money constraints, is to take a trip to Beverly Hills, also 10 minutes away. This would be my 2nd suggestion in combination with the Promenade. At Rodeo Drive, you can have a field day clothe shopping at the most exclusive stores in the world. A list of stores can be found at http://honeymoons.about.com/od/allaboutla/f/Rodeo_Drive.htm This is an amazing place for shopping of any kind, yes even window shopping, where you can feel the glitz and glamour of it all even if you cant afford to be a part of it. You will find not only the stores, but the people that make Los Angeles "Los Angeles." Even if not purchasing anything, I would still highly recommend Rodeo Drive for simply sight seeing. Window shopping can make even the fittest of us a bit exhausted. Window shop all you want and then take seat at a restaurant where you can order a coffee, sit outside on a patio facing Rodeo, and simply enjoy the scenery. Lastly, depending on if you actually spend the night or not, and your age of course, Los Angeles is known for its nightlife and celebrity encounters. If you want to have both a great time at a bar/club and have a good chance of seeing a celebrity from the likes of Suge Knight to Christina Aguilera, I would definitely visit one. As for names, just like most clubs, there is an "it" night. So if you want to know what club to visit, tell me what day you are coming in, and hopefully the venue wont disappear as they often do over night.