Internet sales?

[GaryG]

Rick,
I know this is off the tractor subject. You did bring up two politicians that I have little use for. I would like to add Gray Davis California's worthless governor to that list. I'm sure you are right that any one of them would track us down and rip our hearts out for a dollar more in taxes if it was feasible. I feel for your brother moving all over the country to be where he feels free. We just have to do the best we can with what the majority elects. I personally buy Dell computers because they have avoided collecting sales tax for states like CA. It is refreshing to see big companies that don't roll over for these politicians. Gateway builds a good computer, they cannot compete when they have to charge an additional $100 to $200 in sales tax. So they have lost market share. When a person can save $1500 or more by driving across a state border to buy a tractor. I believe many will give it a shot.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I am in favor of doing away with the IRS and paying a federal sales tax on all purchases.
IE: buy a loaf of bread or buy a yacht,lets say you pay IE: 4% on the purchase price,this way everyone pays there fair share,the illegal immigrant/tourist/ millionaire/bum/working class/the pimp,all pay the same.
You only get taxed when you SPEND money,the earnings on a savings account should not be taxed unless you choose to buy something with your money.

 

[Rick Jay]

Steel_Wheels,

I agree, although I think it'll be more than 4%, still, it's a more equitable system.

Let me know when you're running for office, I'll help work on your campaign. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

~Rick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I just threw the 4% out there for a number,it might 10%....
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[frank_f15]

don't want to get into a political debate but wonder if yor idea is really fair? lets suppose we have 2 familes, one with 4 people and one with 2. the guy with 4 makes $20,000 and the guy with 2 makes $100,000 they guy with 4 has to buy more food and clothing than the guy with 2, so he pays more in taxes, and a much greater % of his earnings to buy needed commodities, not sure this is the proper way to go, but be darned if i can come up with a really fair and honest way to do it? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[SLOBuds]

On the original topic here, I'd like to ask about dealer service when going the internet route.

I buy all KINDS of stuff over the internet. And I priced a tractor over the internet from Carver. But one concept that I see over and over in these forums is about your relationship to the dealer. Dealer service consistently comes out as one of the most important aspects of tractor shopping. Don't buy from a dealer that you don't like. Don't buy from a dealer who has a bad service reputation.

How would you plan to service your tractor if you bought it from someone hundreds (or thousands) of miles away? Don't you think that you will have an entirely different relationship with your service dealer if you did not purchase from him?

Just asking - not expressing an opinion or judgement. I'd like to know how you would address service issues.

Thanks.

 

[icat]

Martin,
I'm not sure I'd buy outside my "service" area. What I do though, is price shop from everywhere and use the knowledge to leverage a fair price from my local dealer.

As for the tax issue, it's a tough call. I like the basic idea behind a national sales tax, but there are issues. In most scenarios that I have seen, food and basic necessities are still tax free. In the case of the 2 person family with $100,000 in income, you can pretty much bet that they are buying more than the family of four with only $20,000. More clothes, more homes, more cars, more TV's, more VCR, more... well, you get the picture. In the end they will pay more in taxes than the less affluent family. Of course, there will be those who elect to save all the money they make - we'll just have to shoot them. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I'd also like to see more research done on a flat tax by income. Everyone pays the same percentage. The rate is FIXED - and the government will just have to make due with what they have.
I really don't mind paying taxes. I just want the ever escalating tax burden to stop.

 

[GaryG]

You bring up the number one concern I have with buying from a distance. I think it has to do with how the manufacturer accepts the responsibility associated with the warranty. I always buy vehicles wherever they are the best priced. I license where I am a registered resident Alaska. I have used the GMC warranty at many dealers and never felt slighted. I am not sure a tractor dealer would feel the same. I have bought mailorder electronics and had mixed results on wanrranties. I think if you have gone to a dealer and priced a tractor then bought from another dealer, you may get the cold shoulder when you need their help. I feel better about going to someone I have done business with.
Forbes proposed a flat income tax. I think it is more fair than a federal sales tax. The wealthy do not spend more on the basic needs than the poor, percentage wise.
Our only hope is to vote out the politicians that want higher taxes and more government programs.

 

[2003Pilot]

Gary G

I'm sorry but I don't agree with the Forbes "flat income tax" proposal. Although you may think that the wealthy spend the same percentage on basic needs than the poor, you must put everything in perspective.

My basic home and transportation needs consist of a decent 3,300 square ft. home on a 5 acre lot and 2 cars. Mr Forbes' on the other hand is a HUGE mansion on a huge estate, and for transportation a leer jet, helicopters, 100+ foot yacht (with a helipad on it) and who knows how many vehicles. His estate is in the same town where I work (Bedminster, N.J.).

I think Mr. Forbes, Mr. Gates, Warren Buffet, and others can afford to pay a higher percentage in income tax than you or I do. Warren Buffet even publicly agrees that the Bush dividend tax cut is a sham. By the way, Microsoft recently began paying out a stock dividend (the first time ever). Bill Gates stands to earn something like $60 Million tax free if the Bust plan was passed. I'm sorry, but I'm OK to continue to pay 28% tax on my measily $400 in stock dividends.

By the way, does anyone have the details of the recent extention of the federal law exempting internet sales from sales taxes? I would guess that if someone bought a tractor "over the internet" those rules would apply. I'm not sure if the states can then apply their "use taxes".

 

[MikePA]

Um, this thread has gotten pretty far away from buying a tractor over the Internet. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Discussion of various tax proposals might belong in the Related Topics forum...or better yet, at another site whose primary purpose is political discussions. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif