Maybe y'all already know this, but I just learned this week that it's possible to get an Apple Build to Order Mac without paying sales tax.
MacMall (the other Mac resellers may do this, I don't know) will sell you the exact same system as an Apple BTO for the same price that Apple charges (they get it from Apple) and do so without charging sales tax (if you're not in the same state as MacMall, that is).
I ordered a MBP, customized with the high-res display and larger hard drive (but not RAM because Apple charges so much for RAM), from Mac Mall. I configured it on the Apple site while on the phone with the Mac Mall sales person and we both confirmed Apple's price and he placed the Mac Mall order for the exact same thing at the same price.
There are two downsides to this, though. One, the customer order must ship from Apple to Mac Mall before Mac Mall repackages it and ships it to the customer. Because Mac Mall and Apple are on opposite sides of the US, this can add considerable time, depending on one's location. Second, if there are rebates available from Mac Mall on that specific model, the rebates don't apply to customer Apple/Mac Mall machines. All other free stuff like rebates on Parallels and the free printers and such still apply, though.
So, there you have it. Custom BTO systems from Apple with no sales tax. Like I said, the other resellers may do this, too, I just haven't asked anyone but Mac Mall.
MacMall (the other Mac resellers may do this, I don't know) will sell you the exact same system as an Apple BTO for the same price that Apple charges (they get it from Apple) and do so without charging sales tax (if you're not in the same state as MacMall, that is).
I ordered a MBP, customized with the high-res display and larger hard drive (but not RAM because Apple charges so much for RAM), from Mac Mall. I configured it on the Apple site while on the phone with the Mac Mall sales person and we both confirmed Apple's price and he placed the Mac Mall order for the exact same thing at the same price.
There are two downsides to this, though. One, the customer order must ship from Apple to Mac Mall before Mac Mall repackages it and ships it to the customer. Because Mac Mall and Apple are on opposite sides of the US, this can add considerable time, depending on one's location. Second, if there are rebates available from Mac Mall on that specific model, the rebates don't apply to customer Apple/Mac Mall machines. All other free stuff like rebates on Parallels and the free printers and such still apply, though.
So, there you have it. Custom BTO systems from Apple with no sales tax. Like I said, the other resellers may do this, too, I just haven't asked anyone but Mac Mall.