Lesson learned, moving on

[samginko]

This isn't much of complaint about Gunstop. I have dealt with the reloading side for the most part and John has always been helpful and friendly. Also, I got a good scope for a good price. Mostly I am befuddled by the experience and I have the need to talk about it.

I purchased a scope on Craigslist for a good price. The owner seemed decent and we came to an agreed upon price of $140. Owner told me that due to physical problems I should pick up the scope at the Gunstop, where his friend who works there will make the exchange (not John). I made the treck and went up to the gun counter and asked about the scope. Person at the counter wasn't too friendly, but super friendly gun salesman are pretty rare and I wasn't there to buy anyways. The guy at the counter brought out the scope and proceeded to charge me tax ($10). I mentioned Craigslist and he told me that this was a store. I was in a hurry and the price was still good for that scope, so I just paid and left.

It's not the money, 1 1/2 hours that I spent to pick up the scope was worth far more than $10. But, I keep thinking WTF. I am certain the original seller is an honest guy. Am I the only person thinking WTF?

Rant done, moving on.

[Sigfan220]

Yeah that seems odd... I don't know what I would have done, I guess if you drove that far it wouldn't make sense to just leave it. But I have never heard of any store charging sales tax on a consignment sale which is basically what your guy did. That kind of **** bugs me. You could ask for $10 back from the seller, Gunstop really shouldn't have charged tax based on my experience with other consignment sales.

[Snakeman721]

You're forgeting, this is Minnesota...they tax everything! Maybe things have changed? Businesses get constant updates from the MN Dept of Revenue about any minor tax changes...such as what is and is not taxible under the sales tax code, which is always changing.

[LePetomane]

Minnesota is the "Land of 10,000 Taxes" or "No Tax Left Behind." That is pretty crappy for the guy to charge you tax. The sales tax was already paid by the original purchaser. Years ago when I was thinning out my house for a move I listed a bunch of stuff. I was berated by a Minnesota Nice Taxaholic liberal over the issue. I replied that the tax was already paid when I bought the items. That shut them up.

[Holland&Holland]

I think your issue should be with your craigslist seller, not the retailer. Retailer has to charge sales tax. It is a sale of a taxable good in the state. Don't like it, change the law. BTW, you are supposed to pay the sales tax on items you purchase even if you meet in person. You, not the seller, the buyer is responsible for the tax. Sucks.

[Holland&Holland]

Yeah that seems odd... I don't know what I would have done, I guess if you drove that far it wouldn't make sense to just leave it. But I have never heard of any store charging sales tax on a consignment sale which is basically what your guy did. That kind of **** bugs me. You could ask for $10 back from the seller, Gunstop really shouldn't have charged tax based on my experience with other consignment sales.

Are you then paying the tax direct?

[xd ED]

Minnesota is the "Land of 10,000 Taxes" or "No Tax Left Behind." That is pretty crappy for the guy to charge you tax. The sales tax was already paid by the original purchaser. Years ago when I was thinning out my house for a move I listed a bunch of stuff. I was berated by a Minnesota Nice Taxaholic liberal over the issue. I replied that the tax was already paid when I bought the items. That shut them up.

That argument won't 'shut up' the registrar when transferring the title to a used car.

No long ago, I bought a kayak online. When I went to register it/ get a boat license I had to show proof of, or pay sales tax...they even asked me if I'd be using it on inner city lakes(which would kick in an additional surtax)...
In answer to the OP:
Gunstop, or any retailer will cover themselves. They know they don't need the bs from the state.

[photogpat]

I think your issue should be with your craigslist seller, not the retailer. Retailer has to charge sales tax. It is a sale of a taxable good in the state. Don't like it, change the law. BTW, you are supposed to pay the sales tax on items you purchase even if you meet in person. You, not the seller, the buyer is responsible for the tax. Sucks.

Not true - isolated and occasional sales of personal property are exempted from sales tax collection. Sales that pass through a retailer are required to collect sales tax.

http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/business ... /FS132.pdf

[Holland&Holland]

I think your issue should be with your craigslist seller, not the retailer. Retailer has to charge sales tax. It is a sale of a taxable good in the state. Don't like it, change the law. BTW, you are supposed to pay the sales tax on items you purchase even if you meet in person. You, not the seller, the buyer is responsible for the tax. Sucks.

Not true - isolated and occasional sales of personal property are exempted from sales tax collection. Sales that pass through a retailer are required to collect sales tax.

http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/business ... /FS132.pdf

Yes, but Gunstop would have a hard time making that argument. And while you are correct, I should not assume that this was not a one time sale of an item. That said, the buyer, not the seller is ultimately responsible for the tax which is my point. This means that even if you purchase it on-line you are required to pay the tax. My point is that this is ridiculous because the law is ridiculous and should be changed.

[photogpat]

Yes, but Gunstop would have a hard time making that argument. And while you are correct, I should not assume that this was not a one time sale of an item. That said, the buyer, not the seller is ultimately responsible for the tax which is my point. This means that even if you purchase it on-line you are required to pay the tax. My point is that this is ridiculous because the law is ridiculous and should be changed.

I agree that our sales tax codes are quite ridiculous. Online sales tax collection (ie. personal remission of tax) is a joke.

[870TC]

If you paid the GS the $140 for the scope and they charged sales tax, I see no issue. They have to collect sales tax on "sales" of any type including consignments.
Personally....from how the transaction occurred, ie craigslist with pickup at a third party's store through a buddy- not the store owner....my first question to the Gunstop would have been did the craigslist seller compensate the Gunstop for handling the transaction???. If not, I sure as hell would have, if ever wanted to step foot in his store again.

[Sigfan220]

Yeah that seems odd... I don't know what I would have done, I guess if you drove that far it wouldn't make sense to just leave it. But I have never heard of any store charging sales tax on a consignment sale which is basically what your guy did. That kind of **** bugs me. You could ask for $10 back from the seller, Gunstop really shouldn't have charged tax based on my experience with other consignment sales.

Are you then paying the tax direct?

No - The stores specifically state "no tax - consignment sale". I have bought a few consignment guns and never paid tax. It's on craigslist too for boats, "for sale on consignment, no mn sales tax". I do not consign items at my business so I have never looked up the specific laws. It just seems most places do not charge, at least in my experience.

[samginko]

Based on my email exchange with the seller, his buddy at Gunstop was doing him a favor. Seller said he was immobile due to a surgery. I never got the impression that this was on consignment.

[UnaStamus]

$10 is consistent with the current Hennepin Co sales tax rate.

[gun_fan111v2]

Sounds like he is not much of a "buddy" after all... Probably charged the guy for doing this as well