White House: Internet Sales Tax ‘Will Level The Playing Field’

[Igel]

54. If what you want is off-the-shelf and just waiting for you. Nearby.

I buy very little new at local bookstores. Usually used books.

Otherwise there's very little at local bookstores I want to buy.

There are textbooks. But the textbook I got for $40 costs $130 locally.

Same with sheetmusic. I can go to a brick-and-mortar store, see that they have a crappy selection, special order something and wait ... and wait. Or I can go to a megasite that *is* brick and mortar (just not within 1000 miles of me) and get it shipped next day, if they have it; or order through a place that does special orders on a continuing basis, and get it about 8 days later.

Or plants. I like buying "local." Except that I still think of myself as living in Oregon and like to patronize Oregonian nurseries for things more exotic than marigolds. Like aronias or jujubes or even fuki.

Or seeds. Locally they have okra and kale. Online I get choho and mitsuba.

Heck, there have been times when I've ordered from non-US bookstores. amazon.fr is great. Found a nice bookstore in Tehran, and another in S. China. They have the decency of not charging VAT. With no way for them to pay local sales taxes.

For me, pretty much it's all downside with no upside. The real winners aren't the local stores but state and local treasuries. Pay 8% more for what you want, plus handling and shpping, or be content with local drek based upon what somebody who thinks s/he knows better what I want than I do decides to stock.