AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Point, click and buy -- shopping on certain websites without having to pay sales tax has become an easy and cheap option for many folks. But for some business owners, that can make it hard to keep up.
"I think the customer has always been aware of it," said owner of Hill's Sports Shop, Kirk Hill. "They realize that sales tax is .0825 and in their mind they're thinking there's a ten percent difference between doing business locally and doing business with them. It hasn't ever felt fair. It makes it hard to go to work every day and I think gosh, I'm competing against a guy that doesn't have to do what I do."
But with one online retail giant facing some changes, the playing field is about to be leveled. Whether it's books, bikes or electronics, the things you buy on Amazon.com will cost you more starting July 1, 2012. Texas will now join the list of several states that have forced the retail giant to collect and pay sales tax. The change comes after a long dispute between state officials and the website about whether Amazon should collect the taxes.
With the end of the tunnel in sight, Hill said he's glad about the new change. It will help let all retail businesses really compete with each other.
"I think it should be a fair field," said Hill. "In other words, we should be competing on a fair playing field and let the guy that's willing to work the hardest be at least a competitor and be able to win. I think it helps level the field."
For business owners, the agreement is a welcome one. But for online shoppers -- well, they probably won't give up online shopping just yet.
"I'd be disappointed but it's just one of those things, we get taxed for everything else," said Borger resident and Amazon shopper, Monica Marshall. "I'll probably still use it for the convenience."
They'll just have to fork out a few more bucks than they're used to.
