USA and VAT: WTF?

[DEATH eVADER]

When I went to America the other month, I was kinda pissed off with the fact that products did not have stickers on the sides indicating what the hell the total price of the item is.

Luckily I was staying in Oregon most of the time (Product had the overall price indicated), but not the neighbouring state of Washington (Which didn't have the overall price indicated on the products themselves).
Going back, I had a three hour stopover in Newark Airpot, NY. Deciding to buy a book at the airport, I picked one up which was price at something like $7.99. Thinking it was a bargain, I took it to the counter, only to find out that they decided to put an overall 15% tax onto it. F*ck, I didn't have the correct change, Sh*t, I couldn't buy the book. Half of the time, I don't know whether the initial price on the book was the correct one, or they decided to add the tax, because I was a bloody foreighner.

So help me, which States have products with VAT already on the products, and which don't (and you go up to the bloody counter to find out you have to pay out more).

 

[Fat Tony!]

crazy americans

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

Yeah its weird how they don't show the tax on the label.

California was the worst :x (Almost as high taxes as ours :O)

 

[Foxtrot]

What is VAT? The only place that I know of that adds tax onto the price is the movie theater.

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

VAT is value added tax.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

VAT= Value After Tax

You will find they added on at most restaurants as well, at least thats what I think

 

[DiSTuRbEd]

We have to think more.

 

[mortiz]

Did they look at your bording ticket just before they charged you for the book? Sometimes in the departure lounge they put the amount of tax on that applies to the country you're going to, but that probably isn't it because if you were flying to the U.K. they would have added 17.5% (not 100% sure about this one).

In Airports there are some No Tax things as well depending on where you're flying, if you're not flying to a country that is within their "No Tax" policy they have to charge you tax. There's many reasons why they wouldn't add tax on in an airport and why they wouldn't print tax on the labels.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Did they look at your bording ticket just before they charged you for the book? Sometimes in the departure lounge they put the amount of tax on that applies to the country you're going to, but that probably isn't it because if you were flying to the U.K. they would have added 17.5% (not 100% sure about this one).

In Airports there are some No Tax things as well depending on where you're flying, if you're not flying to a country that is within their "No Tax" policy they have to charge you tax. There's many reasons why they wouldn't add tax on in an airport.

I was waiting at Gatwick, Uk goind out. I had Hayfever, so my mum went to get a packet of tissues at Boots pharmisist, after queing for a long time, they told my mum that they would have to see her ticket before she would be able to pay. Sh*t heads, the lot of them

 

[Tr0n]

We have to think more.

Something the euros are not use to...

j/k

 

[NJD2003]

Over here in New Brunswick, Canada all our products have the price without taxes, It's not hard to think how much the tax is. 15% Tax, each $1 add $0.15

 

[mortiz]

pff, coming from an American who put George W. Bush in power joking joking.

 

[MadHatter]

That's weird. I'm American and have never had problems with determining an item's price unless the sticker was removed or somethin'.

I think product taxes vary by state. Here in Maryland, everybody knows the tax is like 5, 6%... lol now I forgot how much it is. It's one of those two numbers though.

 

[Tr0n]

pff, coming from an American who but George W. Bush in power joking joking.

17....to young to vote.

 

[MadHatter]

Over here in New Brunswick, Canada all our products have the price without taxes, It's not hard to think how much the tax is. 15% Tax, each $1 add $0.15

Yep, yep. It's like common knowledge in Canada and the US.

 

[mortiz]

17....to young to vote.

hehe doesn't matter, I was making a sweeping generalisation which is the name of the game on this site and is also what you did!

 

[Jackal hit]

here in colorado, the average tax is 7% ... not too bad. at first it may be diffucult to figure out how much a product is w/ tax, but you get used to it. a 49.99 game comes out to 53 something, so pay 54 and you're set

of course, some suburbs around denver have tax as low as 4%, same with the outlet stores, like in castlerock half way between colorado springs and denver.

but, i prefer the euro system, where tax is included in the sticker price.

 

[mortiz]

here in colorado, the average tax is 7% ... not too bad. at first it may be diffucult to figure out how much a product is w/ tax, but you get used to it. a 49.99 game comes out to 53 something, so pay 54 and you're set

of course, some suburbs around denver have tax as low as 4%, same with the outlet stores, like in castlerock half way between colorado springs and denver.

but, i prefer the euro system, where tax is included in the sticker price.

Maybe they thought they'd try to educate the populace (mostly in the deep south I have to admit (see I’m good at these sweeping generalizations)) with some rudimentary math skills so they left the VAT off meaning they'd have to work it out!

 

[Tr0n]

hehe doesn't matter, I was making a sweeping generalisation which is the name of the game on this site and is also what you did!

That...is why I this <3 site! *hugs* Anyways I to never had a problem with figuring out the tax...Like someone said before...it varies between each state.

 

[Fat Tony!]

I think its because America is mega capitalist, they want your money so badly that they dont tell you exactly how much you are paying you get fooled and then find out it is actually a lot more expensive then you think...sneaky!

 

[MadHatter]

I think its because America is mega capitalist, they want your money so badly that they dont tell you exactly how much you are paying you get fooled and then find out it is actually a lot more expensive then you think...sneaky!

Lets think about this post. America in a general term... Hmmmm... You see, the taxes vary depending on the state. Cali is VERY expensive, yet an area such as Idaho is much cheaper.

You are right about one thing though, America is capitalistic, maybe not mega, but sure.

 

[Tr0n]

Well I will admit we are mega capitalistic...but I don't see a problem.

 

[MadHatter]

Well I will admit we are mega capitalistic...but I don't see a problem.

There's nothing wrong with capitalism. If it improves the quality of life and makes the people happy. Why not? Good point.

 

[Goordon]

Here in Spain we have an overage tax of 15%, and all the stikers prices iclude it, so when I was in Toronto this summer it was a mess. At the first time I felt they was stealing me

 

[MadHatter]

Best thing for internationals visiting Canada or the US is to ask someone what the tax is. Did that EVER occur to anyone?

 

[mortiz]

There's nothing wrong with capitalism. If it improves the quality of life and makes the people happy. Why not? Good point.

Depends, that isn't true for everyone. I like capitalism but it generally supports the rule that "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" but it does allow for the poor to get rich if they come up with a good idea.

With communism it's generally just "the poor get poorer" .

 

[Fat Tony!]

Yes, capitalism doesnt work really. But the only alternative is commonism oh yay!

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Over here in New Brunswick, Canada all our products have the price without taxes, It's not hard to think how much the tax is. 15% Tax, each $1 add $0.15

What if it was something stupid like $1.65 :E

 

[MadHatter]

Depends, that isn't true for everyone. I like capitalism but it generally supports the rule that "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" but it does allow for the poor to get rich if they come up with a good idea.

With communism it's generally just "the poor get poorer" .

Not entirely true, but you are right that it's not for everyone. You'd be suprised how many college students I meet who grew up in the slums or lower-class families and prevailed due to their determination.

Capitalism requires -- and in a way instills -- a meritocratic society to thrive and to benefit the people. As long as you're determined and willing, then capitalism can be your best friend or best tool to success. Is there such thing as TOO MUCH capitalism? Probably... I think the corporate influence on elections can be an example of that. A good hollywood example of too much capitalism is the movie 'Johnny Meinmonic'... Or whatever it's called.

Communism looks great on paper, but never seems to work out. Then again, true communism has never been employed.

I guess you could say this: Capitalism allows the strong to rule over the weak, in a general sense, to a certain degree (if it's correctly governed and it doesn't run rampant; un-governed capitalism can have nasty effects). It's a law of nature -- the strong will rule over the weak. Communism, or a government using large portions of communist aspects, just makes you weak.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

of course, some suburbs around denver have tax as low as 4%, same with the outlet stores, like in castlerock half way between colorado springs and denver.

There is a town called castlerock in Washington State. Its the start of the road that takes you to the observatory overlooking mount st. helens

 

[MadHatter]

Yes, capitalism doesnt work really. But the only alternative is commonism oh yay!

Well, there's always socialistic democracy. Just ask western Europe how it is.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Not entirely true, but you are right that it's not for everyone. You'd be suprised how many college students I meet who grew up in the slums or lower-class families and prevailed due to their determination.

Capitalism requires -- and in a way instills -- a meritocratic society to thrive and to benefit the people. As long as you're determined and willing, then capitalism can be your best friend or favorite tool to success. Is there such thing as TOO MUCH capitalism? Probably... I think the corporate influence on elections can be an example of that. A good hollywood example of too much capitalism is the movie 'Johnny Meinmonic'... Or whatever it's called.

Communism looks great on paper, but never seems to work out. Then again, true communism has never been employed.

I guess you could say this: Capitalism allows the strong to rule over the weak, in a general sense, to a certain degree (if it's correctly governed and it doesn't run rampant; un-governed capitalism can have nasty effects). It's a law of nature -- the strong will rule over the weak. Communism, or a government using large portions of communist aspects, just makes you weak.

Instead of money, there should be a requisition system, whereby you gain requisition for the past deeds and achievements. The points are stored on computers. In theory, it should decrease crime, and increase ones academic achievements for the aquisition of points to be used to purchase items

 

[MadHatter]

Sort of like Deus Ex? Instead of money use credits, you mean? One gargantuan problem with that theory would be inflation.

Bah, a little off-topic: A good portion of the academic problems here in the states is related to this idiotic policy adopted called 'Leave No Child Behind'. Makes it so a class is taught and advanced at the lowest level. I admire the UK's public schooling system.

 

[Maxi]

In finland, the tax is on the final price, no excetpions.

I don't get it why they do it the hard way over there :/

 

[MadHatter]

In finland, the tax is on the final price, no excetpions.

I don't get it why they do it the hard way over there :/

Answer: 50 states with their own government and taxing.

 

[seinfeldrules]

It is rather hard to know which tax applies to what. I'm lucky because in NH we dont have sales tax, unlike almost every other state. We do have food tax though, like every other state, and that throws everything off for me.

 

[Alec_85]

Haven't read everything too closely but aren't airports supposed to be taxfree? That's the thing with airports damnit

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

VAT= Value After Tax

You will find they added on at most restaurants as well, at least thats what I think

I'm pretty sure its Value Added Tax
Value After Tax doesn't really make that much sense.


Aitports aren't tax free necessarily, but they have duty free zones where there is generally no tax. Its to do with international boundaries/laws et cetera

 

[Fat Tony!]

Well, there's always socialistic democracy. Just ask western Europe how it is

Im assuming that you dont include the UK in western Europe? Although the UK system is much different to US

 

[Maxi]

Aren't only international airports duty free?