Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

SirCastor · Aug 25, 2005, 10:25 AM

So, I just recently found out how inexpensive it is for me as a Student to get 10.4 for. $69. That's awesome. On top of that, my school carries it, so I can go pick it up tomorrow (Or whenever my cashflow starts up again... should be shortly) But now I face a little bit of a dilemma, and I'm looking for some advice: (This is really just for fun guys, I can make this decision without you.)

1) I can order it from the Apple Store online and it'll be here in a few days. Shipping is free.
2) I can buy it at my school, but the prices goes up something like $5 because of taxes.

What would you do? Save the $5 for a trip to Wendy's later? Or Blow it all because you want it now?

James41 · Aug 25, 2005, 10:32 AM

Depends on if your want it NOW or can wait a couple of days. Shipping usually runs from 2 days to 5 days, depending on your location. If your not hurting for money and 5 bucks won't mean you don't eat dinner, then a bird in the hand tastes better than one in the bush.

ghporter · Aug 25, 2005, 10:48 AM

If there is an Apple Store in your state, Apple will collect sales tax on any online sale to you. Your profile says you're in Oregon, and since there are stores in Portland and Tigard OR, I think your problem boils down to having the disc in your hot little hands sooner or later-not money at all.

Dog Like Nature · Aug 25, 2005, 10:50 AM

I thought Oregon had no state sales tax?

SirCastor · Aug 25, 2005, 01:37 PM

Oregon doesn't have Sales Tax. However, I've moved to Utah about a month ago (Failed to update) So there is sales tax. Buuuuut, there are no Apple Stores in Utah (yet... I think there's one coming soon)

Randman · Aug 25, 2005, 01:50 PM

If you haven't upgraded to Tiger yet, wait a few days and enjoy the burger combo.

ghporter · Aug 25, 2005, 04:27 PM

So far it looks like you have no worries about tax if you buy online. so is the 5$ or so you'll save worth the wait?

waffffffle · Aug 25, 2005, 09:36 PM

I believe Apple charges tax online in all 50 states because they operate in every state (regardless as to whether or not there is a retail store in the state).

Flip500 · Aug 25, 2005, 10:05 PM

Yeah, I usually have that mentality but much, much stronger, like I'll pay $20 more dollars to get it now... but you really have to over come it (like I always have to do). I think I'd wait for 5-6 days for $5. No reason to waste the money unless your playing to go live in a cabin in some woods with no connection to the rest of the world in less than $5, but they wouldn't have electricity, so I don't even think you'd be able to use you computer... Any way I think you should just wait the 5 days for a bit of money, personally I don't even think there is enough of a change to spend the money for Tiger, I'm waiting to the next release of OS X, same with iLife...

SirCastor · Aug 26, 2005, 02:07 AM

I would, but I'm running 10.2 There are some features that I think are cool, and more importantly I've found that people aren't making apps for 10.2 much anymore. A lot of the apps being made need at least Panther. I've skipped a generation, it's time.

Oh yeah, And I need 10.4 for native DVR-109 drivers (PatchBurn doesn't work for some reason)

ghporter · Aug 26, 2005, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by waffffffle

I believe Apple charges tax online in all 50 states because they operate in every state (regardless as to whether or not there is a retail store in the state).

To my knowledge, an online company is only required to collect state sales tax (the STATE "charges" the taxes, retailers just collect them) IF they have a retail operation in that state. This may be why many companies are building retail stores in a lot of places; they got cozy with state governments... But that's another issue. But I have done business with many online sellers, and only if they have physical stores in my state have they collected tax on my purchases.

Anyway, I may be wrong on this issue. If I am, I'd like to be corrected. Knowing the rules makes it so much easier to know what to do.

JazzCatDRP · Aug 26, 2005, 03:49 PM

I get charged sales tax when I purchase from Apple online, and there's no apple store in my state (Kansas).

You could find out for sure if you'll get charged by just doing the transaction online, and before you pay, it'll have a line that'll say "Estimated sales tax."

dreilly1 · Aug 26, 2005, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by waffffffle

I believe Apple charges tax online in all 50 states because they operate in every state (regardless as to whether or not there is a retail store in the state).

I got charged Sales Tax (edit: Apple collected the Sales Tax for the great state of New York, glenn

) by Apple before they ever had retail stores. It's something they decided to do when they first opened an online store -- probably so that they didn't give the appearance of undercutting their resellers.

Flip500 · Aug 26, 2005, 11:27 PM

tax or not online if you ordered it the day you started this thread Tiger would almost be to you... so this information isn't really helping the "want it now" mentality.

SirCastor · Aug 27, 2005, 03:57 AM

Well, the holding factor on this was cash. My Financial Aid came in though, so I'm all set. Waiting for the bank to get my card stuff in order (just opened the account). I was in the bookstore buying a book for my English class, and ironically enough, they were sold out of Tiger. A powerbook is coming into my posession tomorrow night, and as it needs an airport card, I'm gonna order the both of them from Apple this week-ish.

Flip500 · Aug 27, 2005, 07:03 PM

Oh, well congratulations on the PB that is "coming in to your posession"...