Trade Show discounts?

[Heather_L._Smith]

I know at other trade shows I've been to the vendors often offer trade show 'specials' - anyone know what the big boys usually offer up at IUSA? I'm looking to purchase some new gear and am trying to decide if it's worth it to wait until IUSA to pick it up during the trade/toy show. Of course, I'll do plenty of oogling while at the show... and I'm sure plenty of spending, too.

Many thanks!!

Cheers,
Heather

[Heather_L._Smith]

Oh, and before anyone jumps on me for looking for cheap rates (since we HATE it when OUR clients to that!) let me say that I am looking at my regular retailers (b&h, etc) KNOWING that they give specials during these events... I'm not looking to be cheap, but if I can save a few bucks by waiting a couple of weeks, I will. I'm not being cheap, I'm working the system (since I know there IS a system) :-)

[Ron_Jackson]

I have not been to IUSA before but with 25 years of trade shows under my belt, my advice is simple. Anything you are considering purchasing, hold off until the show to see what deals they offer. You can always still buy at full retail after the show but expect that there will be deals there. The other plus is that in many cases, you will also have the advantage of speaking directly to reps that know the product extremely well and to touch, and test out the item before writing the check. I have my list and I look forward to spending time with the vendors as much as the seminars.

[Howard_Kier]

B&H always has show specials on a wide range of gear. What's nice about B&H is the specials are usually good for a week or so after the show!

[George_Hawkins]

B&H always has show specials on a wide range of gear. What's nice about B&H is the specials are usually good for a week or so after the show!

Exactly, and other dealers will have specials. Sometimes it may be as simple as free shipping for 7 days or 30 days. Lots do some specials of some sort. Some dealers have inventory to take after purchase; an out of state dealer might say no sales tax. Those that don't have with them the item(s) that are on special might say no charge shipping, and we are often in a different state than their home location, so maybe no tax. Without being specific with dealer name, B&H, Calumet, LexJet, and many others.

Yes, there will be specials. You may find that dealers who have your contact info start emailing about specials.

George

[Heather_L._Smith]

Woohoo! Let the shopping spree begin (in 30 days, that is... but who's counting??)

Of course, this means that the few hundred dollars I may save will be a few hundred dollars I'll spend on something else that I'm sure to find I "need"

[Billy_Walker]

Some dealers have inventory to take after purchase; an out of state dealer might say no sales tax. Those that don't have with them the item(s) that are on special might say no charge shipping, and we are often in a different state than their home location, so maybe no tax.
George

Remember, you're legally obligated to pay "use tax". Most states, if not all, state that you cannot advertise with the words "No Sale Tax". It's simply a deception.

Now, before anyone say's "who get's caught?", I would say a friend of mine strongly disagrees to the tune of thousands of dollars. As a matter of fact they determined what he owed for the most recent year and then multiplied by three to go back three years without an actual physical audit. They'll let you protest the amount but you will have to prove them wrong, if that's the case. My friend thought the tripling was probably cheaper. The penalties will knock your eyes out; don't let people deceive you on this issue.

My recommendation: Set up a liability account called use tax and an expense account (possibly part of a pre-existing asset account) called use tax. Pay the use tax with its on check. The separate account will allow a potential audit to go faster.

[George_Hawkins]

Remember, you're legally obligated to pay "use tax". Most states, if not all, state that you cannot advertise with the words "No Sale Tax". It's simply a deception..

In other words, the end user is responsible to pay a sales/use tax in the sate of the use, while the seller collects it. Consumables like "film", paper, ink, etc. are part of the production and can be treated differently in some jurisdictions.

You are correct; the vendor might be saying that he absorbs tax, or discounts the product an amount equal to tax. If a vendor ships an item to a state where they are not registered, often a tax is not charged. In a tax state, we'd be liable for the use tax. At trade shows, there are many different ways a "show special - discount" is promoted.

[Linda_Gregory]

The state of Kansas has muddied the water further. If you purchase an item out of state and do not pay sales tax, you are still held liable for it and must claim and pay it to the state of Kansas.

Insult and injury, I pay sales tax on my paper and chemicals then must charge you a sales tax on it if you live in state and do not hae a sales tax id. If you DO have a sales tax ID, you must again charge your customer sales tax on finished orders.

Kansas...home of double dippers, looking to be triple dippers. *sigh*

[Billy_Walker]

Insult and injury, I pay sales tax on my paper and chemicals then must charge you a sales tax on it if you live in state and do not hae a sales tax id.

Kansas...home of double dippers, looking to be triple dippers. *sigh*

Linda, I don't know Kansas law, but typically what you are describing on your purchase would be sales tax exempt for you because it's being used as a component of a final product for sale. You would need to provide your paper and chemical vendor with a resale certificate. And, then of course you would collect sales tax on the photograph at the time of sale.

Or, perhaps, you are saying in Kansas the photographer must pay tax on those items even if they are for resale? Again, I do not know Kansas law.