Can we talk about TIPFLATION for a minute?

[DisneyHardin]

Most contractors here don’t take credit cards or electronic payments.

Here they prefer cash or check. If they do take credit cards, there is a 3% upcharge.

We hired a new yard company this summer and I asked him if I could pay with Venmo and he said no, that he preferred checks.

My Mom bought a new car this weekend and was paying cash. They allowed $5000 to be put on a Credit Card, so she did that for the points and then they took a personal check for the rest. They didn't even have a way to do an electronic transfer - we asked.

 

[mjkacmom]

Here they prefer cash or check. If they do take credit cards, there is a 3% upcharge.

We hired a new yard company this summer and I asked him if I could pay with Venmo and he said no, that he preferred checks.

My Mom bought a new car this weekend and was paying cash. They allowed $5000 to be put on a Credit Card, so she did that for the points and then they took a personal check for the rest. They didn't even have a way to do an electronic transfer - we asked.

Yes, $5000 is the max, our dealership required a bank check, not a personal check, had to run to the bank.

 

[DLgal]

Here they prefer cash or check. If they do take credit cards, there is a 3% upcharge.

We hired a new yard company this summer and I asked him if I could pay with Venmo and he said no, that he preferred checks.

My Mom bought a new car this weekend and was paying cash. They allowed $5000 to be put on a Credit Card, so she did that for the points and then they took a personal check for the rest. They didn't even have a way to do an electronic transfer - we asked.

Small businesses that don't want to take Venmo or Zelle (or similar) is because they likely are trying to skirt tax law, now that these companies are required to report transactions to the IRS.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Small businesses that don't want to take Venmo or Zelle (or similar) is because they likely are trying to skirt tax law, now that these companies are required to report transactions to the IRS.

I'm pretty sure Venmo has a business option.

 

[DLgal]

I'm pretty sure Venmo has a business option.

What difference does that make? It doesn't explain why an IC or small business won't take it.

 

[DisneyHardin]

What difference does that make? It doesn't explain why an IC or small business won't take it.

Sorry, I misread your previous post - I thought you meant if they DID take Venmo it was because they were trying to skirt tax laws. I realize now you said the opposite.

 

[tvguy]

t for the points and then they took a personal check for the rest. They didn't even have a way to do an electronic transfer - we asked.

My daughter bought a used car from Hertz in 2018. No way to do an electronic transfer at their used car lot. Funny given that most if not all their rental business is done electronically. It was a Saturday, and her credit union closes on Saturday at 2 pm so I had to go to my bank to get a cashiers check for her down payment because it was after 2 pm..

 

[ronandannette]

...Back to tipping, it’s one thing that we are thankful to leave behind when we return home from the US. That and the fact that your prices are never the “final” price due to sales tax not being added until you get to the till. Australia has a blanket sales tax (GST) on most items but the difference is here every price shown in a shop is the price, tax is already included.

I’m curious - what rate is your GST? Here it’s 5%, so it’s relatively easy to mentally calculate. Some provinces (not mine) also have their own provincial sales taxes, which I find irksome when visiting. I don’t even bother to track with whatever the various sales taxes are in the States when we travel - just pay the bill and try not to think about the monstrous exchange rates.

 

[leahgoogle]

Lol I don’t think so, at least yet. It is SO hard to find decent contractors, I spent around $35,000 for some mason work, check only, literally the only contractor who returned my phone call (was referred by a friend, lots of scammers out there so a personal reference is a must). Was on a one year wait list to get my house painted. I’ve had 2 bathrooms done, basement finished, new roof, plumbing, electric, cash or check only. Kitchen remodel and deck are next, if I can find contractors. Landscapers don’t take credit cards.

I found that to be true. Our landscaper only takes cash or checks.

 

[kyton]

I’m curious - what rate is your GST? Here it’s 5%, so it’s relatively easy to mentally calculate. Some provinces (not mine) also have their own provincial sales taxes, which I find irksome when visiting. I don’t even bother to track with whatever the various sales taxes are in the States when we travel - just pay the bill and try not to think about the monstrous exchange rates.

10% here in Australia. Main difference is here the price displayed is the final price so when you walk into a shop and see a shirt for $10 that’s the price at the register, No mental gymnastics required thankfully.

 

[Kennywood]

 

[sasywtch]

I’m curious - what rate is your GST? Here it’s 5%, so it’s relatively easy to mentally calculate. Some provinces (not mine) also have their own provincial sales taxes, which I find irksome when visiting. I don’t even bother to track with whatever the various sales taxes are in the States when we travel - just pay the bill and try not to think about the monstrous exchange rates.

It is confusing for sure. The reason why they don't put it on a tag is because it changes every time we vote whether it be a general election or an incorporated small city election. It's easier to change the program on the register vs changing the price tags. CA has their sales tax, then the individual counties may (usually) add on another percent then an incorporated little city like mine within the county may add another percent. I can drive one mile down the road into another county and pay a different percentage in tax. Just figure 10% and you're usually good. To be more confusing, some states charge tax on food, CA does not. To get back to tipping, I always tip waiters/waitresses 20% unless it's awful and then a little lower. Never fast food unless they have gone beyond (one place brought my daughter's food to her as she's in a wheelchair). I have been tipping a little higher for pizza delivery as I know our gas prices are extremely high.

 

[ronandannette]

It is confusing for sure. The reason why they don't put it on a tag is because it changes every time we vote whether it be a general election or an incorporated small city election. It's easier to change the program on the register vs changing the price tags. CA has their sales tax, then the individual counties may (usually) add on another percent then an incorporated little city like mine within the county may add another percent. I can drive one mile down the road into another county and pay a different percentage in tax. Just figure 10% and you're usually good. To be more confusing, some states charge tax on food, CA does not. To get back to tipping, I always tip waiters/waitresses 20% unless it's awful and then a little lower. Never fast food unless they have gone beyond (one place brought my daughter's food to her as she's in a wheelchair). I have been tipping a little higher for pizza delivery as I know our gas prices are extremely high.

I had no idea this was a thing.

 

[DLBDS]

I use the Little Caesar’s app to place orders sometimes because of special deals I get thru T-Mobile. My last order I noticed instantly looked different because tipping choices were added. I absolutely did not add one. They don’t even have tables/chairs inside these locations! I placed my own order and went in to pick it up. They never sent a notification that it was ready for pickup and after waiting in the parking lot for an hour (it was approx 5:00 so I assumed they were swamped with orders) I finally went inside and had to ask them about it. They didn’t even put it in the portal like they were supposed to. It was just sitting there on the warmer… for who knows how long. So explain to me WHY these folks deserve tips?! (Rhetorical question.) They make pizzas and throw them on a warmer. Sorry, no tip.

 

[mjkacmom]

I had no idea this was a thing.

My small state has 21 counties and over 500 towns. In some counties different towns have different sales tax rates. 50 states have different sales tax rates. https://www.salestaxhandbook.com/new-jersey/rates

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My small state has 21 counties and over 500 towns. In some counties different towns have different sales tax rates. 50 states have different sales tax rates. https://www.salestaxhandbook.com/new-jersey/rates

We have over 900 special tax districts in my state that raise the tax rate above the normal. Across the street from the Walmart near me is 1% higher sales tax district for most of the buildings there to help subsidize the developer (so the rate is technically 10.475%). But even without special tax districts it varies all over between the cities and counties within my metro.

Sales tax changes too depending on what they want to use the money from it for. In April our city had on a special ballot a renewal of the Street Maintenance Sales Tax (3/8ths of a cent) and the Parks Sales Tax (1/8ths of a cent). This was because it was going to sunset in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Granted sales tax doesn't change quite as frequently (usually because voters vote on it) but I think many of in the U.S. are just used to differences in tax rates depending on where we are at.

I could encounter so many different taxing rates in my metro. I bought some shoes up north last weekend but located on the other side of the state line and the rate was 8.85% whereas my city is 9.475%. The nearest Costco to me (located in the city next to me) is 9.35% but go just down the street to the mall and it's 10.1% IIRC. Go to the Walmart located just a few miles away from me but in a different city and the rate is 9.6%. Go to another shopping center in a different city and the rate is 9.1%. All of these are in relativity close to me (all but the one across state lines are under 15 miles from my house).

And in my state just as of January this year we have a lower tax rate on groceries but with a lot of exemptions.

It's gotta be so confusing to international visitors.

 

[Moliphino]

We have over 900 special tax districts in my state that raise the tax rate above the normal. Across the street from the Walmart near me is 1% higher sales tax district for most of the buildings there to help subsidize the developer (so the rate is technically 10.475%). But even without special tax districts it varies all over between the cities and counties within my metro.

Sales tax changes too depending on what they want to use the money from it for. In April our city had on a special ballot a renewal of the Street Maintenance Sales Tax (3/8ths of a cent) and the Parks Sales Tax (1/8ths of a cent). This was because it was going to sunset in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

Granted sales tax doesn't change quite as frequently (usually because voters vote on it) but I think many of in the U.S. are just used to differences in tax rates depending on where we are at.

I could encounter so many different taxing rates in my metro. I bought some shoes up north last weekend but located on the other side of the state line and the rate was 8.85% whereas my city is 9.475%. The nearest Costco to me (located in the city next to me) is 9.35% but go just down the street to the mall and it's 10.1% IIRC. Go to the Walmart located just a few miles away from me but in a different city and the rate is 9.6%. Go to another shopping center in a different city and the rate is 9.1%. All of these are in relativity close to me (all but the one across state lines are under 15 miles from my house).

And in my state just as of January this year we have a lower tax rate on groceries but with a lot of exemptions.

It's gotta be so confusing to international visitors.

It sounds exhausting to me and I'm in the US. I do most of my shopping in MA and CT, both of them only have the state sales tax. No additional sales tax at any lower level. Groceries are tax exempt. Clothing is tax exempt in MA (up to a certain price, to differentiate between normal and luxury clothing).

 

[RedAngie]

No sales tax in Delaware. The price you see is the price you pay. OK, there are taxes on motor vehicles and hotel rooms but they go by differently names.

People from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey come to buy computers, other pricey electronics, expensive jewelry, etc. to avoid sales taxes.

 

[mjkacmom]

No sales tax in Delaware. The price you see is the price you pay. OK, there are taxes on motor vehicles and hotel rooms but they go by differently names.

People from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey come to buy computers, other pricey electronics, expensive jewelry, etc. to avoid sales taxes.

Picked up my daughters MacBook on the way to move into UD 4 years ago.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

People from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey come to buy computers, other pricey electronics, expensive jewelry, etc. to avoid sales taxes.

We do that but go to MO when they have a sales tax holiday. A sales tax holiday has been attempted in my state but not successful. It took many years and empty promises just to get the grocery tax to be lowered (and is graduated until 2025 where it'll be zero but it's just the state portion).

I believe the first laptop and printer I bought was in MO during their holiday before I went off to college.