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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. 
Ag insider logo xs@2xkingbarbuda
oregon
810 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
1,616 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.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
kingbarbuda OP
514 posts
 
Although I enjoy paying no sales tax, there is nothing wrong with paying sales tax. The essential services and worker in your town are not free. But I have a problem with the origin based sales tax. I don’t live in Chicago and don’t feel I should pay Chicago’s sales tax. I will pay my town’s sales tax, thank you very much! So I only buy open box items for prices I can’t get elsewhere AND if at the time MD is offering a coupon to offset their Chicago sales tax. Otherwise, I shop elsewhere. If they want to put themselves at a 4% price disadvantage that is there problem and not mine. Other competitors to MusicDirect for many of their brands include DedicatedAudio.com in Scottsdale, AZ who are a pleasure to work with. Also Soundapproach.com, and moon-audio.com. There are others. 
sokogear
1,058 posts
 
Acoustic Sounds is great and sometimes has things MD doesn't 
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