California, other states, edging toward sales taxes on Internet purchases

Associated Press ^ | Feb. 26, 2003 | by Jim Wasserman

[Wright is right!]

"I see Internet companies goin off-shore. Places like the Bahamas or the Caymans. Hell, why not Pitcairn Island."

Or, they will take their ordering method offline, a la mail order. I already do that. If someone buys a telephone system from me, they've got to call my tollfree to do it. (or they can email me...)

Michael

[ladywolf]

I hope that works. But won't the feds or states just impose tariffs? This is so discouraging! I know people who have lost jobs; they now earn a great living (i.e. they're not on welfare!!) attending garage sales and reselling on ebay. It's wonderful. And people love it. Shipping is already somewhat prohibitive depending upon what you buy, so this new "thievery" proposal would stifle a wonderful industry that allows people to be independent. Really stinks, doesn't it?

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Funny you should mention Pitcairn Island. I understand life is not much different there today than when Fletcher Christian arrived with his mutinous friends and their womenfolk and torched The Bounty. They only have a couple of ships arrive per year. There is still no harbor or airport. An Internet sales operation there would have some shipping issues. UPS would be a bitch!

[coydog]

Well, the legal base of operations would be Pitcairn Island, and the server could be there if they had the pipes or a satellite uplink. The actual warehouses that take the orders from "the home office" and deliver the product could be in other parts of the world.