Astak's 5" Pocket Pro $199

[Abecedary]

To the best of my knowledge, no there isn't. Each state would only have access to sales records for that particular state.

[HarryT]

I see. Thanks.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Abecedary

To the best of my knowledge, no there isn't. Each state would only have access to sales records for that particular state.

Which is why some law makers are trying to change the laws so states could collect sales tax on out of state goods.

[Hellmark]

The online retailer is supposed collect sales tax from anyone buying within any state they have business setup. It is really not difficult to do, coding wise.

[SDRebel]

Originally Posted by imabuddha

But unless Astak has free shipping you'll be paying for that, right?

In this price range tax & shipping are probably about the same, unless one opts for next day.

well, my tax rate is 8.25% and shipping was 11, so I came a bit ahead

[SDRebel]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, but if you buy from out-of-state or online, don't you have to pay "use tax", which is the same amount that you would have paid in sales tax had you bought it in your own state?

Forgive me if my knowledge of the US tax system is inaccurate.

I believe more than 95% (or more like 99.9%) of the people who buy out-of-state online don't report it as "use tax" so until that changes ...

[SDRebel]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

The online retailer is supposed collect sales tax from anyone buying within any state they have business setup. It is really not difficult to do, coding wise.

they are required to collect tax wherever they have physical presence, and they already do it, but they are not required to collect tax for any other state. I.e. Amazon doesn't collect tax from most states. New York is becoming very strict, but Amazon and others are looking for ways to go around it.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Robertb

I have attached pictures.

Thank you for the pictures.
I was pleased to see the wrist strap is still a feature for the Pro. Very useful on the 6" model.
Will all the colors be available at the same time or will some animals be more equal? There's this birthday coming up in september... ;-)

On a different note, and just out of curiosity, (no offense intended) can you say what your company's take is on OpenInkpot? Do you folks see it as a plus that helps move hardware or a minus that detracts from your investment in ADE?

Obviously you *don't* have to answer, but if the former, it might help sell the Pro if you talked to those folks about getting, say, their May snapshot ported over to the Pro and provided a link to their project in your support Forums.
Just a (wild-and-crazy) thought.

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

The online retailer is supposed collect sales tax from anyone buying within any state they have business setup. It is really not difficult to do, coding wise.

Well, there are two things that make it a bit more difficult. First, once you begin taxing at the state level you open the door to local governments wanting their piece of the pie. Now, you have to figure out the tax rate for every locality. Second, even at the state level, taxes are constantly changing (usually up). The result of these facts is that you usually can't build your own tax database. Instead, you need to subscribe to a specialist who constantly monitors tax rates and provides a continuously updated database of rates -- usually keyed off something like zip codes.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, but if you buy from out-of-state or online, don't you have to pay "use tax", which is the same amount that you would have paid in sales tax had you bought it in your own state?

Forgive me if my knowledge of the US tax system is inaccurate.

No. I don't recall anyone even saying I had to pay a "use tax". The issue of allowing states to charge sales tax on internet sales comes up regularly in congress, but has been roundly defeated each time.

But living in Hawai`i I get hit big time for shipping, for instance the cheapest shipping on a 5" pocket pro is just a little under $30 and goes up to $70 for 2nd day ...

They only ship USPS to Canada and Puerto Rico. Robertb! Why's that? Since your normal shipping rates are so exhortation?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wodin

No. I don't recall anyone even saying I had to pay a "use tax". The issue of allowing states to charge sales tax on internet sales comes up regularly in congress, but has been roundly defeated each time.

Fair enough. The reason I thought that it did apply is that the Wiki article on Use Tax (not always a reliable source, I know), says:

A use tax is a type of excise tax levied in the United States. It is assessed upon otherwise "tax free" tangible personal property purchased by a resident of the assessing state for use, storage or consumption of goods in that state (not for resale), regardless of where the purchase took place. The use tax is typically assessed at the same rate as the sales tax that would have been owed (if any) had the same goods been purchased in the state of residence. Use tax applies when sales tax has not been charged. Purchases made over the internet and out-of-state are the most common type of transactions subject to a use tax.

Emphasis mine.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Fair enough. The reason I thought that it did apply is that the Wiki article on Use Tax (not always a reliable source, I know), says:

The Florida [state I reside in] department of revenue web site has this to say about it:

Use tax complements and is applied in the same manner as sales tax. The use tax rate and sales tax rate are the same, including discretionary sales surtax, if applicable. Use tax is due on purchases made out of state and brought into Florida within 6 months of the purchase date. Also, if you purchase a product tax-exempt that you plan to sell at retail, but end up using it at your place of business, the "use" of the product is subject to tax. If you purchase materials that are "consumed" in a manufacturing process to create your end product but are not part of the end product, those materials are subject to tax.

However, I have never paid it. I don't think most people do. Also, since there is no income tax in Florida I don't have to file an annual tax return which I assume is how you would pay this tax.

That said, I am sure the use tax amount due would come to a pretty small amount, considering we purchase most of our goods locally.

BOb

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by emellaich

Well, there are two things that make it a bit more difficult. First, once you begin taxing at the state level you open the door to local governments wanting their piece of the pie. Now, you have to figure out the tax rate for every locality. Second, even at the state level, taxes are constantly changing (usually up). The result of these facts is that you usually can't build your own tax database. Instead, you need to subscribe to a specialist who constantly monitors tax rates and provides a continuously updated database of rates -- usually keyed off something like zip codes.

Usually, taxes are done as if purchased in the area that the business resides, if is instate. Thus, what ever local taxes to the business apply, if the customer lives in the same state.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by SDRebel

I believe more than 95% (or more like 99.9%) of the people who buy out-of-state online don't report it as "use tax" so until that changes ...

To be fair I believe at least as many people do not fully understand the tax laws.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Thank you for the pictures.
I was pleased to see the wrist strap is still a feature for the Pro. Very useful on the 6" model.
Will all the colors be available at the same time or will some animals be more equal? There's this birthday coming up in september... ;-)

On a different note, and just out of curiosity, (no offense intended) can you say what your company's take is on OpenInkpot? Do you folks see it as a plus that helps move hardware or a minus that detracts from your investment in ADE?

Obviously you *don't* have to answer, but if the former, it might help sell the Pro if you talked to those folks about getting, say, their May snapshot ported over to the Pro and provided a link to their project in your support Forums.
Just a (wild-and-crazy) thought.

Dear fjtorres:

ALL Pocket PRO colors wil ship out on the same dates. Although the black and white ones may arrive a few days before the other colors, it was a good decision to ship all six out at the same time to be fair to all.

There are relatively equal numbers of each color coming and, at least for the first two months or so, all colors will certainly be available. After that, anything can happen. It is impossible to place small orders with the China-based factory for colors... so there may be a few times when we are out of one or more colors. The Slate Blue, for example, is heavily desired.

Wallcraft, one of the MobileRead Forum moderators, knows Open InkPot very, very well and knows the Astak devices. I cannot say anything like: "we love" or "we promote" or "we endorse" any other product or another format. I personally have heard great things about Open InkPot; but I would hereby invite Wallcraft to jump in here and give you more specifics. He is always prowling this site so I am sure he will reply to you soon!