Do you have to pay tax and shipping fee?

[CoolDragon]

I recollected that someone on this forum said before if you are a student, you can call in and talk with a rep and the shipping fee can be waived.

I just don't understand why IBM charges tax even if you buy online?

[JHEM]

I recollected that someone on this forum said before if you are a student, you can call in and talk with a rep and the shipping fee can be waived.

They were wrong. IBM/Lenovo will offer free shipping on occasion as a purchase incentive, but there's no blanket exemption for students.

I just don't understand why IBM charges tax even if you buy online?

Because they have offices in every state in the US and are therefore obligated to collect sales tax in those jurisdictions that require it.

Regards,

James

[brainpicker]

There are many loopholes in the internet sales tax exemption from what I am told. One states in basic terms that any company with any type of "presence" in any state must collect sales tax from purchasers from that state. This does NOT have to be a "store", as any warehouse, distribution, repair, sales, education, telephone center, or ANY other type of location or "presence" as it's termed disqualifies them. I don't think there are many (if any) states that would allow Lenovo (IBM) not to collect [except for the tax exempt states] so they collect. By the way, did you know that even though companies may be exempt from COLLECTING sales tax on internet (or out-of-state phone) purchases, in many states you still have to PAY the sales tax by law? Yep. I know here in ol' FLA they have threatened to start looking into folks trying to avoid sales tax on large out-of-state purchases that way. Just imaging the revenue states are losing out on. Now I'm just a regular guy who reads a bit so you might not trust what I say (and rightly so!). Maybe one of our lawyer members could shead more light on this for you. And of course, I try to avoid sales taxes like all the rest!
Yak

[emorphien]

I had to pay tax and shipping.

I'm an educational customer (student) in NY.

As far as taxes on internet orders from out of state, I think they need to stop fighting over it and just implement one tax nationwide that applys to online orders (this is instead of each state tax). Make it 2% (something low, whatever sounds good) or something, the volume of sales would probably increase for instate shopping if it's the same tax everywhere.

I don't know a singler person that doesn't look for another "etailer" out of state to order from to save on tax.

[wn0x]

I have always paid tax on Thinkpad purchases. My latest purchase also included a $50 shipping and handling fee which I thought was outrageous. This if the first time I didn't order directly from the website however, and dealt directly with a salesperson for a T43P. Maybe it was padded for commission?

[admsteiner]

Should have said that you were looking at the educational discount site, where it says free shipping....he would have been obliged to give it to you.
--adam

[emorphien]

Should have said that you were looking at the educational discount site, where it says free shipping....he would have been obliged to give it to you.
--adam

I'm going to get this corrected! I don't want to pay $45 if I don't have to.

[EatMorGlue]

I got a T42 last week shipped to me for free because I placed the order online. What's nice is that I took the money I would have spent on shipping and put it towards a nice sleeve.

Before I ordered, I called to inquire how long the "limited offer" of free shipping lasted, and the guy said it was good until the end of the month. I think it's good for all internet orders. Dunno if that helps or not... it's certainly worth checking into though.

[emorphien]

Yeah I got mine fixed. Chopped off a cool $50.

[CoolDragon]

Let me summary:

1. You have to pay tax.

2. You can waive your shipping fee by calling a sales rep.

Correct me if I am wrong.

The tax is really funny, I called my school's bookstore today, and the guy told me that if I am currently not living in the state where my school is, he doesn't need to collect my tax. Strange, huh?

[JHEM]

Let me summary:

1. You have to pay tax.

2. You can waive your shipping fee by calling a sales rep.

Correct me if I am wrong.

The tax is really funny, I called my school's bookstore today, and the guy told me that if I am currently not living in the state where my school is, he doesn't need to collect my tax. Strange, huh?

You're wrong on a few points. There is no "waiving" of the shipping fee unless IBM/Lenovo is offering free shipping at the time of your purchase, as they are right now.

As far as your school's bookstore is concerned, whomever you spoke to is wrong. The only way the bookstore could sell you something without collecting sales tax is if you purchased via phone/internet and had it shipped out of state.

If you walk into the bookstore and make your purchase, they must collect the sales tax for their locale.

Regards,

James

[admsteiner]

There are some sales tax exceptions for textbooks and such (which you can get at B&N if you show your student ID). I'm not sure how it works with regards to computers, though I have yet to see it actually exist.

As JHEM mentioned, if it is shipped out of state you're good to go. If you buy it there, I believe they must collect sales tax.

--adam