I sympathize with smaller sellers, and I try to support my own local businesses whenever possible, but when money’s tight, what are you going to do? I went to a local auto supply and paid $36 plus tax for two windshield wipers I could have bought from Amazon for $20, tax free, shipped free in 2 days—and often they ship it overnight for free.
But I know this can’t last for Amazon. They see the future, and it’s endless litigation with tax-hungry states. I guess they feel they need to bite the bullet and roll with the punches.
Many things online, even with a sales tax and shipping, are significantly cheaper that those items are locally.
Three years ago I purchased (no tax) a water purifier unit and two cleaning cylinders for $27, shipped. Locally at Walmart, that same unit without the cylinders was $40 and the cylinders were $20 each. Lowes local was even higher.
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I sometimes go to a local employee-owned grocery, but their general prices are astronomical, compared to the discounts grocery stores. Why pay them $15 for a can of coffee, when the same can in another local store is $9.00?
I have no sympathy now with the economy...
Pay $20 to save money vs $36? Simple: pay the 20. I have better things to worry about. I just bought an MP3 player 3 days ago with free shipping from AMZ. I am just taxed enough already.