NYC shopping tax for visitor from UK

[sp3ctre]

Been looking at the prices of camera lenses at B&H in New York. We are thinking we may got over for a long weekend at some point and it seems sensible to buy the lens out there. Question is, what is the tax we would pay on top of the website amount, and is there anything to look out for in terms of hidden surprises? I know warranty is not an issue on the lens I want to buy.

 

[RichardG]

NY State sales tax is currently 8.75%, still havn't got used to looking at the ticket price then being exoected to pay a different amount when you get to the till .
No tax free shopping for tourists scheme running either.

 

[marchantsuk]

I bought my camera from there a couple of years ago. Crap service but great prices, I ended up paying the same in dollars as I would have paid in UK, something like $300 vs £300 at home.

 

[VvrooomM]

Stuff is very cheap in Gibraltar - camera wise. If you smoke, the savings in fags alone will pay for the flight. Short walk from airport to shops.


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[VvrooomM]

Got my Nikon 18-200mm lens when the pound was strong 3-4 years ago now I guess. Paid around £300 delivered to US address and friend brought it over, that price included UV filter, cap attachment and lens bag - still around £600 over here.


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[aquazi]

When I went there in oct last yr I took a drive down to Delaware as its tax free... Bought loads of clothes/ electronics and much cheaper then NY.

 

[WLH]

When I went there in oct last yr I took a drive down to Delaware as its tax free... Bought loads of clothes/ electronics and much cheaper then NY.

Exactly right...

 

[pvr]

I went to B&H a few weeks ago, great shop as it is so huge and weird in a way.

Price is indeed excluding sales tax but it was nice for a change to buy something and hold it in your hands straight away, too used nowadays to ordering on the internet only and never having that "hold it / want it" feeling.

 

[sp3ctre]

Thanks guys, looks like it'll save me £150 - £200 over getting it in the UK... not quite what I had expected but certainly food for thought if we're going anyway

 

[Dev]

I bought from B&H last year, I think I escaped the NY sales tax by buying from B&H's website and delivering to a relative in Michigan and got him to bring it over to the UK on a visit.

I think sales tax can be applied to web purchases in the US only if the state the purchase is being delivered to has a physical sales presence in that state. In my case, B&H didn't have a presence in Michigan. I hope this is correct, but I'm sure one of our american cousins will put me right!

I know this will most probably not be an option for you but will you be going out of state to see anyone you know, where this might apply?

 

[WLH]

I bought from B&H last year, I think I escaped the NY sales tax by buying from B&H's website and delivering to a relative in Michigan and got him to bring it over to the UK on a visit.

I think sales tax can be applied to web purchases in the US only if the state the purchase is being delivered to has a physical sales presence in that state. In my case, B&H didn't have a presence in Michigan. I hope this is correct, but I'm sure one of our american cousins will put me right!

I know this will most probably not be an option for you but will you be going out of state to see anyone you know, where this might apply?

Correct and that is one reason I purchase a lot of items on the web...
However, shipping cost can become as much as sales tax so that must be looked at as well.

 

[cj_eds]

still havn't got used to looking at the ticket price then being exoected to pay a different amount when you get to the till

Thanks for the info on this thread. Hoping to go across one day soon (probably going to end up being next year the way things are going) and I'd have been stood arguing at the till saying that's not the price on the ticket!
Only ever been to Chicago, and am eager to see some of the rest of the States.

 

[bigdog]

NY State sales tax is currently 8.75%, still havn't got used to looking at the ticket price then being exoected to pay a different amount when you get to the till .
No tax free shopping for tourists scheme running either.

i actually like the fact that tax is not quoted. As it will make you painfully aware of what you actually pay in tax. On the other hand governments love tax included in pricing. As the tax payer soon forgets and assumes the price increase is inflation rather than a sneaky tax hike done under cover of darkness.

I have used BH several times lately. Always shipped out the very next day. Just two weeks ago. Bought a Tokina 11-16MM f2.8 for my Nikon. It was in my hands in Germany 7 days after I ordered it. But that is mostly due to the military post being pretty darn good.