Let me tell you a story. A year ago I bought a name brand digital camera. I got a REALLY good price from an out of state vendor. But he was a fast talker and I bought more than I really wanted or needed (shame on me) including a five year extended warranty.
The camera didn't work right and after four months I sent it the company doing the extended warranty. They had my camera for two months. Since it was less than a year old and still under warranty by the manufacturer, they sent it to the manufacturer's US plant . The manufacturer's US plant wouldn't work on it because it was a "gray market" camera. (Gray market means the camera was made for sale in a country other than the US and that's why I got such a good deal). So the manufacturer sent it to another place for repair. I finally got the camera back. It works but...it's more camera than I need and I don't use it very often and I have to relearn every time I turn it on. I am uncomfortable going to one of the local camera stores to ask for advice because I didn't buy the camera locally. I plan to sell it soon and get a simpler camera. And I will buy locally. On the other hand, I bought my last two computers from The Complete Mac/ Mactown and have been very happy with the service and technical assistance. Harry Saturday, March 29, 20031:26 PMWard Oldhamwoldham at insightbb.com >Dan, > >Let me paint another perspective. > >Customer wants to purchase a $3000 system (most are less). >KY Sales Tax is 6%. That's $180 >We don't charge for freight either. That narrows the gap another $50 est. > >For that huge cost differential, that perspective customer receives in-store >pre-sales consulting and advice on what he should be buying based on his >needs as well as in-store and telephone technical support covering any >potential issue regarding the system he purchased for as long as he/she owns >it. > >With that perspective, are you doing someone a disservice recommending that >they buy from a mail order house? Some may answer "yes". Some may answer >"no". It all depends on the individual. > >You figure it out. > >Ward Oldham, MacDude >MacTown >1041 Bardstown Road >Louisville, KY 40204 >502-485-1243 >ward at mactown.us >http://www.mactown.us > > >On 3/29/03 12:30 PM, "Dan Crutcher" <dcrutcher at loumag.com> wrote: > >> Ward: >> >> Of course one of the uphill battles the local business is fighting is the 6% >> sales tax differential between mail-order and local purchase (I know, >they're >> _supposed_ to charge sales tax and remit it to the states, but the >reality is >> that very few do so, and states have no way of enforcing it). >> >> It might not make too much difference when buying a low-end printer or >> scanner, but when you get up in the thousands of dollars, it makes quite a >> difference. >> >> Having said that, I also know that some local vendors occasionally come down >> on their prices enough to offset the sales tax differential, but that's >hardly >> in the long-term interest of the business' financial health. >> >> Much as I like not having to pay sales tax, I think that not having to pay >> sales tox to out-of-state merchants puts local merchants at a decided >> disadvantage and that eventually legislation will -- and should -- correct >> that. How to best correct it is a difficult call. I'd like to hear what you >> and other think about that issue. >> >> Dan >> >>> Troy, >>> >>> Avoiding the problems and confusion such as the ones that you are currently >>> faced with is the primary thing we sell. Its called SUPPORT. And it's >>> something we GIVE away with every system we sell! >>> >>> Yet, it's a tough sell to those who have never been faced with a problem. >>> Either the meaning of support just doesn't sink in or we do a poor job of >>> selling it! >>> >>> It doesn't cost you more to buy locally. But why it's difficult to sell >>> against mail order houses who offer no support has amazed me ever since the >>> introduction of mail order computer sales over 10 years ago. Is it >the free >>> pos inkjet printer or the free no name RAM that they throw in? Possibly >>> wanting to skimp on the local sales tax is the reason. I mean, who really >>> needs to support our local economy! >>> >>> I have never understood it. >>> >>> But local phone and in-store support is something we excel at. We have six >>> of the area's most technically knowledgeable folks at your beck and >call six >>> days a week whether you come into the store, call us on the phone or >send us >>> an email. You always get the help you need. I guarantee it! >>> >>> Why would you ever buy anywhere else? >>> >>> Ward Oldham, MacDude >>> MacTown >>> 1041 Bardstown Road >>> Louisville, KY 40204 >>> 502-485-1243 >>> ward at mactown.us >>> http://www.mactown.us >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 3/29/03 9:04 AM, "Troy Mello" <troymello at hotmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I don't want to put anyone through any research, but does anyone happen to >>>> know what I may be doing wrong... >>>> >>>> I have the CanoScan LiDE30 scanner and have installed the included >>>> applications such as PhotoStudio, ScanGear, etc. >>>> >>>> It seems PhotoStudio is THE program that I am to use to operate the >scanner. >>>> I am using a new iMac with OS X 10.2.3. When I click the button to scan a >>>> picture, I get an error message that says I must install the Stuffit >>>> Expander first and I should visit www.stuffit.com first to do so. >>>> >>>> A few days ago, I downloaded the free DropStuff application via the >dot-Mac >>>> member page. This download came from www.stuffit.com. Why would >this have >>>> anything to do with my scanner? >>>> >>>> Plus, I visited www.stuffit.com. The Stuffit Expander is free, but >it only >>>> compliments the original Stuffit application which is not free. Remember, >>>> it is just the DropStuff application which I downloaded. I don't want >>>> Stuffit or it's expander. Again, why would the PhotoStudio >application that >>>> came with the scanner keep giving me a message saying I must first install >>>> the Stuffit Expander? I cannot find a way to make this scanner operate. >>>> >>>> Thanks so much for any help! >>>> >>>> Troy >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _________________________________________________________________ >>>> The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* >>>> http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >>>> | be March 25. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >>> >>> >>> >>> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >>> | be March 25. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >>> >> >> >> >> >> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >> | be March 25. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. > > > >| The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >| be March 25. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will | be March 25. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>.
