When I first started shopping on Amazon, the site was still in it’s infancy. People were buying mostly books off Amazon back then, but I was pretty much looking for good deals on movies and CD’s. As time went on, Amazon started gaining popularity. It wasn’t quite the standard it is today, but it was emerging as a force. I relied on Amazon for Christmas shopping and I still buy the majority of gifts through the site. The free shipping is a tremendous savings in addition to the savings they already provide to customers, but that wasn’t the real grabber. The BONUS for shopping on Amazon was that they did not charge tax in many states, New Jersey being one of them.
New Jersey’s 7% sales tax, while not the highest in the nation, is still pretty damn high. Through the nearly 18 years of Amazon’s existence, they have offered their customers lots of savings, especially to me. I don’t mean to sound like a commercial, but in there is a glaring difference between shopping on Amazon and going to an actual store. If I bought a $200 dollar item from a local retailer in New Jersey I’d pay about $14.00 tax. If I visited Amazon.com and merely clicked a few virtual buttons, I’d have to pay…NO TAX!!!
I’ve read about Amazon’s plans to build a facility in New Jersey in the past year or so, but nothing was official. There will be an Amazon warehouse facility built in NJ and because of that they have to start charging sales tax. Unfortunately, this article from NJ.com made the official announcement.
I really feel like Hulking up and getting angry right now, but I’m trying to contain myself. I’ll probably still deal through Amazon since shopping in New Jersey is a total nightmare, especially during the holidays. I am always a huge supporter of local shops and restaurants, but keeping Amazon from saving me a few extra bucks is only going to fill the pockets of crooked, embezzling New Jersey politicians. Screw the state senators for effing us again!