Can you buy anything online near CA?

Zeke · 04-20-2007, 02:56 PM

Damn, I don't mind waiting a reasonable amount of time for shipping, but I avoid East Coast companies because of the distance/time/expense.

However, I wanted some Forbo flooring samples, NJ. Makita parts, NC. Offroad parts, AL. Those are just the last 3 purchases. It seems to happen 9 out of 10 times. I guess people really don't like to run Internet businesses from CA. I suppose the cost of doing so and the cost of living has everything to do with it.

Having Pelican nearby is great. Only thing better could be if they were in NV (no sales tax to me, currently, from NV if the company doesn't have a branch in CA).

Moneyguy1 · 04-20-2007, 03:05 PM

Milt: On Monday I ordered a pair of Cocoon wraparound sunglasses from an outlet in Atlantic City. They arrived today, ground. I figure that is darn good service and quite fast!!

Rick V · 04-20-2007, 03:21 PM

Now you know how us east coasters feel when we order from Pelican.

Zeke · 04-20-2007, 03:23 PM

That is good, but again, you found your deal on the friggin' East Coast. I sometimes need stuff now, not 4-5 days later. Traffic in SoCal is so bad that I'll have things shipped 10 miles away. They usually get here the day after if I order in the morning. I bought some kitchen knobs at a good price.............from where? S. Carolina! No one closer has any?? Of course 3 were broken (glass) but they sent more. From payment to total completion, over 2 weeks. Piss on it.

1973911s · 04-20-2007, 03:24 PM

Monoprice.com is local to us. Nice for computer and video cables.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Overnight is usually an option. . . for a price, of course.

Rick V · 04-20-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by milt
I sometimes need stuff now, not 4-5 days later.

I agree,
I was just pickin' on ya.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by milt
That is good, but again, you found your deal on the friggin' East Coast. I sometimes need stuff now, not 4-5 days later. Traffic in SoCal is so bad that I'll have things shipped 10 miles away. They usually get here the day after if I order in the morning. I bought some kitchen knobs at a good price.............from where? S. Carolina! No one closer has any?? Of course 3 were broken (glass) but they sent more. From payment to total completion, over 2 weeks. Piss on it.

Smarter retailers have warehouses in Nashville (FedEx hub) so that no matter where they answer the phone, the stuff gets on a plane to you in hours. Victoria's Secret is one of those companies. They may not offer the bra you need for your car, though.

Shuie · 04-20-2007, 04:02 PM

Oh, cry me a river

No you know how I've felt every time I've needed car parts for the last several years

MBAtarga · 04-20-2007, 04:28 PM

That's ironic! Every time I want to order something, they're on the West coast!

Gooch1971 · Gooch1971's Garage

West Coast / East Cost

For me it's like the old saying "Six in one hand ... half dozen in the other."

campbellcj · 04-20-2007, 09:57 PM

FWIW I buy a crapload of stuff from Amazon so I signed up for the "Prime" 2-day shipping thing before the holidays last year. Everything actually sold by them is sent 2-day (usually UPS) with no shipping charges, for $79 a year IIRC. The kicker is that this doesn't work for the 3rd party sellers that sell through their system/site.

I definitely feel your pain re. local shopping though. I hate driving anywhere to run errands these days. Basically anything I can't grab +/- 10 miles from home on Saturday morning tends to get mail-ordered.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

I just got a bunch of nice, inexpensive hose clamps from Busdepot, only took a week longer than expected.

Train derailment, go figure. Shipping can be a *****.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by milt
Having Pelican nearby is great. Only thing better could be if they were in NV (no sales tax to me, currently, from NV if the company doesn't have a branch in CA).

Not exactly true. You are supposed to report all of your internet/out of state purchases, and send in the sales tax when you file your income taxes.

stomachmonkey · 04-21-2007, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by red-beard
Not exactly true. You are supposed to report all of your internet/out of state purchases, and send in the sales tax when you file your income taxes.

Yup, that's exactly what I did this year.

Government needs every penny of my money and damn it they're gonna get it.

Zeke · 04-21-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by red-beard
Not exactly true. You are supposed to report all of your internet/out of state purchases, and send in the sales tax when you file your income taxes.

Leave it to you...

Uh, what form is that again?

Since we are discussing the letter of the law, there is a booming business of "delivering" boats, yachts, etc. in Mexico and leaving them down there for a period of time. I don't remember how much time, but I know it's less than 6 months. Then, they sail right back to the local marina tax free. You can buy a car in OR and register it there for something like 3 months and then bring it into CA tax free, last I knew.

So, I'll just leave my parts at the border for 3 months and then I'm cool, right? Just wait until there's a crack down on this sales tax deal and types of shipping "warehouses" will be all over the place. Could make a difference when buying big ticket items including jewelry. A new form of layaway.