2. misc-audio
  3. 160182-121900

MusicDirect

I was wondering if someone can explain if it is appropriate for a vendor to charge buyers the sales tax rate where the vendor is located instead of the sales tax rate where the purchaser is located, for an online purchase? MusicDirect is located in Chicago where the sales tax rate is 10.25%. I live in Illinois but not in Chicago where the sales tax rate is 6.25%. MusicDirect persists on charging me 10.25% when Amazon, eBay and other vendors charge me 6.25%. They have told me that they charge me 10.25% because the have “a physical nexus to Chicago”. Well I do not. Using MusicDirect’s logic Upscale Audio should be charging me California sales tax, which they do not. Anyone care to explain to me if MusicDirect is correct in their practice and why? Thanks. 
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genez
220 posts
 
If you are in the same state?  Well?  Its as if you drove to the store and made the purchase.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,878 posts
 
Just what is the problem with paying a sales tax?

I've paid sales taxes all my life and admit to the pleasure of not paying some taxes on internet sales but that wasn't going to last forever.

All the best,
Nonoise
robert53
465 posts
 
riley804 is correct. I like Music Direct. Nobody Packages LPs as good as them and they sell the best LP pressings. If you don't want to pay sales tax, there are other vendors that won't charge you the tax. 
oregon
822 posts
 
I live in Oregon ( duh!). I bought a pair of speakers through Audiogon from a dealer in California.  In order to avoid shipping costs and damage, I proposed that I drive down and pick them up.  The dealer warned me: if I picked them up he’d charge me a hefty CA tax.  Freight shipping saved me hundreds of dollars compared to CA tax. 
celtic66
1,664 posts
 
rja is on track.  MD should move, will move in the future leaving the tax insanity of Chicagoland.  Sad, because I love visiting that city.
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