Posted on 03/18/2005 8:37:43 AM PST by JusticeTalion
If you buy smokes online you may just be screwed. All major credit card companies in the United States have voluntarilly agreed to ban all internet transactions concerning cigarettes regardless of the customer. And they kept it extremely quiet until today.
I found exactly two articles on it and both were regional papers requiring subscription. The move is ostensibly shaded with the "Let's keep tobacco out of kid's hands" malarkey but the real reason is stated later. States are tired of losing tax revenue to out-of-state buyers so they completely banned all cigarette purchases.
What does this mean? I am writing to my credit card companies to find out. What if I want to buy a humidor for my Uncle's pipe collection. What about cigars, snuff and chewing tobacco? Are these banned too?
How this got arranged with not one peep about it in the news is amazing. No protests, no dissension, not one word from anyone. I am not real thrilled by being banned from buying a legal product with a recognized legal tender in the United States. And this is not just a business move. It has the full backing of state officials and the federal government in the form of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. That makes it something that our representatives can fight against.
Fascism, in any form, SUCKS!
thanks!!Mo
[Actually it's a trade off for getting the new bankruptcy bill passed.]
Touche!! I think you're right on target.
We have a winner!!!!!
If so, you'd better get some NOW.
Ebay bought PayPal recently
"Voluntarily agreed" in not having been ordered but still having your arm twisted but good. You know, sort of like the stuff you put down on your income tax form(s) is "voluntary".
Good point! After all, as far as I know cigarettes are still legal, aren't they? If not, why are they still available? If not, why is their method of sale being regulated over and above other on-line/mail-order legal items?
The thin end of the wedge?
I'm getting dizzy following who's thread is up....who's thread is down.
I was about to respond to your 3rd party cash voucher and ask me to ping me to your new site when it was up.
If the Government would quit taxing the crap out of everything, they wouldn't create criminal empires such as these. It becomes a vicious circle. More police to combat those who are simply trying to save a buck, so they raise taxes even more to pay for it. Of course when you get caught the lawyers get their cut as well. Taxation makes criminals out of all of us. Then they hire more police, lawyers etc. to deal with the backed up courts. It's like a make work project funded by guess who??
Good point! After all, as far as I know cigarettes are still legal, aren't they? If not, why are they still available? If not, why is their method of sale being regulated over and above other on-line/mail-order legal items?
The thin end of the wedge?
Online gaming is forced to use a third party to get around the "Agreement" by major credit card companies to make it harder to gamble.
The sellers could try accepting PayPal as well.
"It's like a make work project funded by guess who??"
The "New Deal" is alive and well.
"ATF investigations show that millions of dollars each year in illegal sales of cigarettes are diverted to fund terrorists and criminal organizations," said Michael Bouchard, ATF assistant director for field operations. "Through today's initiative, we are addressing the problem of illegal sales across multiple jurisdictions with tremendous support from the country's largest credit card companies. We welcome the help."
Guess I'm a criminal!!!!! Goverment wants more taxes. They say its OK because they are the legal terrorists.
If I knew how to do it, it would be up by this afternoon...
Nope, not an urban legend. I just checked with my indian reservation source....'tis true. Checks/cash/money orders only effective immediately.
I suggest canceling your cards.
YEah, but I get screwed by the proscription on internet sales AND by the new bankruptcy regs... that can't be what they intended... can it?
I would probably quit but I WON'T GIVE THESE B@STARDS THE SATISFACTION. And I'll probably buy them on the black market. Don't blame me for terrorism. Let them do something about the damn border and the damn dope. Then they can talk.
Can you make this title the official title of the thread?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.