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Bait and switch

J king

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Have to vent.Placed an order for a quick bay atlas lift.Greg Smith had a "blemished unit" at 200 bucs off .Called Monday and confirmed they had it and was told the deal..Pick up only.Said the only reason it was tagged as blemished was they opened the package to use part for another and then replaced the part.Thats it it. So I go online the next day and place order thru Internet to try to avoid out of state tax.Get a email today and was told that they don't have that lift and will sell me a new one for 200 more.I call.Get a different guy and he says they never had that unit .I told him I had talked to someone the day before and it was confirmed..someone is not telling the truth here.I really believe it was a bait and switch sales tactic. They can stick it now...Will buy elsewhere. Jim
 
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Todd.Brock

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I thought that even if you ordered online but picked it up in person, you still paid sales tax? Have you thought about looking at Garage Equipment Supply? I bought my Maxjax from there as part of a group buy. I dont think they sell Atlas, but you may find a reasonable alternative?
 

ovilla

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The other employee might have simply looked at the current inventory on hand and not been aware that it was already purchased by someone else, the day before. Keep in mind that there's lots of people buying lifts each day/week and they're also taking advantage of deals, especially on a discounted lift.
 
OP
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J king

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Don't know Todd.Dont have tax a lot of stuff I buy online as long as the seller is out of state.When I gave my credo card infro the total didnt have tax.
 

coreseller

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I also live in Ohio and purchased a scissor lift from Greg Smith Equipment earlier this year. I drove to their Indianapolis location and picked it up, by law, you DO have to pay sales tax if picking unit up in person.

They were great to deal with IMO.
 

srmofo

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You snooze, you lose. Dont be salty because he waited too long to buy that deal. Did it ever occur to you that maybe the second person just didnt know about that deal and since it was sold already it wasnt in the inventory anymore.
 

Jim_No_Garage

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Millington NJ
On the sales tax note---
Drive to the Greg Smith in Delaware to pick it up.

The state of Delaware does not charge any sales tax.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States

I believe the problem with buying in DE is that YOU reside in another state and the OBJECT is being brought into YOUR State. You are SUPPOSED to declare the OBJECT and voluntarily pay YOUR State Sales Tax.

States have gone after BIG TICKET purchases like 7 figure $$ factory machinery as the payback is better than my $100 purchase from DE.

I don't necessarily agree - just posting the way I UNDERSTAND it's supposed to work.

Cheers

Jim
 

Daniel Dudley

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Being cheap also has it's price. You want a lift, and you want to keep your money.

How's that working for you ?
 

Kevin54

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It's not really a "bait and switch" because you'll be buying a brand new unit at regular price like everyone else has to do.
 

graffix000

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Philly
This guy had a confirmed price and paid for it only be told they didn't have the unit the next day and you guys are busting his balls...?

I'd be pissed too and would do the same exact thing he is on principal. F-them. They should have honored a new lift at the cost if it was already paid for.

They very well could not have had the lift in the first place and pulled this bs on him.
 

mmack66

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This guy had a confirmed price and paid for it only be told they didn't have the unit the next day and you guys are busting his balls...?

I'd be pissed too and would do the same exact thing he is on principal. F-them. They should have honored a new lift at the cost if it was already paid for.

They very well could not have had the lift in the first place and pulled this bs on him.

He hadn't payed for it yet.

He confirmed the price one day, then waited until the next day to order it, at which time he was informed that it was no longer available.
 

Stuey

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I agree with the others. This is unfortunate for the OP, but it certainly doesn't sound like bait and switch. It does sound like someone at the dealer made a mistake though.
 

NUTTSGT

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You waited a day to order the lift, an easy way to miss out on a deal.

If you wanted the blemished one, you should have got the name of the person that told you about it and called back the next day and talked to that person or used his/her name as a reference for the sale. Trying to order that unit online was not a way to insure you were getting that item, generally businesses have different people for phone sales and internet sales.

Blemished or one off stock will always be a first come/first serve basis.
 

vwangler

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I realize this is slightly off-topic, but just to be clear... regardless of whether the out-of-state vendor charges sales tax you are still liable to pay consumer's use tax in most states (including Ohio).
 

yucholian

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Monroe, WA
I can't believe some of the replies, so rude and insulting.
I know we all hide behind our keyboards, but no reason to talk to OP like this.
He didn't want anything for free, didn't try to cheat the seller out of the money.
Why so mean people?
 

NUTTSGT

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I can't believe some of the replies, so rude and insulting.
I know we all hide behind our keyboards, but no reason to talk to OP like this.
He didn't want anything for free, didn't try to cheat the seller out of the money.
Why so mean people?

I don't believe anybody is being mean, just honest with the OP. Some might be a little more brutally honest but still honest.

The OP wanted a good deal on a certain item that had limited quantity. He waited to buy the item and by the time he pulled the trigger, said item was gone.
 
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2level

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I can't believe some of the replies, so rude and insulting.
I know we all hide behind our keyboards, but no reason to talk to OP like this.
He didn't want anything for free, didn't try to cheat the seller out of the money.
Why so mean people?

Huh? Where are the insults? (Possibly from the OP to the business?)

This doesn't appear to be a case of bait and switch. I think it's a mislabeled post. It's not like he committed to the purchase when the offer was made. He waited until the next day.
 

Anglia Guy

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If they told you it was $200.00 off when you called- then they should honor the deal. But you screwed up. I'll bet you didn't ask what the first guy's name was and write it down, now did you? I learned to do that a long time ago. WRITE THE PERSON"S NAME DOWN when you do your business over the phone. Sorry it didn't work out for you.
 

nehog

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...
The OP wanted a good deal on a certain item that had limited quantity. He waited to buy the item and by the time he pulled the trigger, said item was gone.

The OP had two things going against him:

1. He wanted to avoid paying taxes that were legally due. Technically tax fraud, and not a trivial amount either.

2. He was sloppy about ordering. He didn't get full information from the sales rep to order online (how are you supposed to order a one up, discounted item, online anyway?) He also waited which was an error, if he wanted to order online he should have done the order while he had the sales rep on the phone to prevent the very problems that he had!
 

ovilla

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OP keep in mind that sales people are constantly trying to close a deal. I bet they told everyone who called that day about the blemished lift for $200 off and as expected, someone took advantage of the deal right away. I'm sure a lot of people waited, to think about it, and when they called back the lift was already gone - so they just ordered a new one. If anything, take this as a learning experience. We've all been through this before with Craigslist, eBay, or some deal through someone selling something at work. No biggie! Life goes on!
 

mmack66

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The OP had two things going against him:

1. He wanted to avoid paying taxes that were legally due. Technically tax fraud, and not a trivial amount either.


One of the perks of online shopping, in a lot of situations, is that their is no sales tax.

In most cases, unless an online business that you are purchasing from has a storefront in the state that you reside, you pay no sales tax for that online purchase. It's been that way forever, and their is nothing illegal about it.
 
OP
J

J king

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Thanks to some for understanding. I didn't have all details in first post so to lame cheap shots won't be replied to. Hind sight is always 20/20.

Yes I made mistakes on first call. I had my 20s son call at first to inquire on the blemish condition.I have really bad hearing and phone conversations are tough when I can't see lips.
I called back to ask about taxes.I hate seeing my earned money being handed out by these skum in office.i pay more in taxes than many make a year so spare me your armchair duty sermons .wont read it if you post it so save your finger. We all like to save a buc.those that say different are full of it or are spending our tax dollars.

The only reason I didn't buy the lift was the salesman that sent me the email after I paid for it acted like I was lieing. Saying they wouldn't sell a lift with open package and no paint damage as a blemished product.there was no such thing. Said the owner wanted stuff listed in blemish so there was something listed.i am not shitting you. Told me this. that is where the bait and switch came from. Not upset with Greg Smith just the clown on the phone.

As for the lift I am building one to satisfy the lift height I want. Started today on it and am on vacation this week so hope to get a lot or all of it done. I may take pics and show but I always hate the armchair engineers that can't build anything but can criticize on and on. I appreciate advise so don't get me wrong.Multiple heads are better than one as long as there working for the same goal.dont need some clown telling me what I should be doing.keep it to yourself if you don't have positive Input.will see about showing it online.
Thanks for listening. I was pissed as I wanted to get lift Saturday and install it this week.

Regards, Jim
 

nehog

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One of the perks of online shopping, in a lot of situations, is that their is no sales tax.

In most cases, unless an online business that you are purchasing from has a storefront in the state that you reside, you pay no sales tax for that online purchase. It's been that way forever, and their is nothing illegal about it.

Oh, there is nothing illegal about it? Not in any state that I'm aware of.

The law says in most states that if you buy something and don't pay sales tax you are required to report and pay said tax yourself. For example, in MA you report such purchases on your state income tax form.

I am aware of no state where it is legal to avoid paying sales tax by ordering online.
 

mmack66

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Oh, there is nothing illegal about it? Not in any state that I'm aware of.

The law says in most states that if you buy something and don't pay sales tax you are required to report and pay said tax yourself. For example, in MA you report such purchases on your state income tax form.

I am aware of no state where it is legal to avoid paying sales tax by ordering online.

There are a few states which have no sales tax, therefore there is no use tax to pay.

It would be interesting to know what percentage of people pay the use tax for their out of state online purchases.
 

nehog

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There are a few states which have no sales tax, therefore there is no use tax to pay.

It would be interesting to know what percentage of people pay the use tax for their out of state online purchases.

NH
DE
MT
OR
AK

are the only states with no sales tax. The OP (AFAIK) doesn't live in any of these states, so he's liable for tax on all his purchases.

This is one of the topics in my Law and Ethics class--sales tax and out of state purchases. Last I heard, there were about 19 people who paid sales/use tax for out of state purchases. However that number may have changed! :spit:

If nothing else, sales tax is a complex topic, most states don't optimize their tax law(s) with regard to either out of state sales, or sales in state to people who are from outside the state in a location that has no sales tax. For example, MA merchants are badly hurt by the fact that they can't compete with NH merchants when selling to NH residents, their prices are forced to be 6.5% higher automatically so they lose the business. So in my case, I often go to a store that is further away (I'm about seven miles from MA) to avoid sales tax on major purchases.

(This is why my company doesn't have a sales nexus or business presence in any state other than NH, so we don't have to worry about sales tax issues.)
 

HAY YOU

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To the OP
I personally think being cheap very seldom pays off. Or frugal if that makes you feel better. You save on taxes as a consumer when ordering on line but if you physically pick up that item you pay taxes as stated unless you have a registered retail merchants certificate or resale lic. depends on state. You must be doing good for yourself since you pay more taxes than most people make in a year so I would invest in some hearing aids. If not... there again cheap very seldom pays off. Although they cost I do have a RRMC & hearing aids, as far as taxes the Gov. gets their share but I get everything that's left & as a citizen I reap the benefits of those taxes.
 
OP
J

J king

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Hay you..

If only you knew as much as you fool yourself into believing. My ears had nerve damage. As you probably know there isn't help for that .Ive been there and know and didnt even get an online expert in all to tell me.if your benefiting from taxes paid and are getting hand outs the good for you.much smarter than I .
 
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nehog

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... if you physically pick up that item you pay taxes as stated unless you have a registered retail merchants certificate or resale lic. depends on state...

And to use that merchants certificate or license you have to resell the item, not use it yourself. Any items you use for your own business you are required to pay sales tax on.
 

paulrey27

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Indianapolis, IN
Hay you..

If only you knew as much as you fool yourself into believing. My ears had nerve damage. As you probably know there isn't help for that .Ive been there and know and didnt even get an online expert in all to tell me.if your benefiting from taxes paid and are getting hand outs the good for you.much smarter than I .

Relax. Settle your ***. It sounds a bit chapped. Now before either side waves their *** more to get slapped and chapped get back on topic.
I think both sides are a bit worked up. You don't know his story. He doesn't know yours. BACK TO OP, sounds like the workings of miscommunication. It happens. *****. Both sides could be at fault but that doesn't get us anywhere. What will it take to right this?
 
OP
J

J king

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Not a problem Paul. Started to build one from scratch to get the desired height anyway.I was upset at first when I posted but was over the next day.Biggest bother at the time was I had vacation and plans to install it then.

This is a garage forum and making things is what I do so we move on and up. I just regretted posting the original deal on here.Guess I was looking to see if others had simuler experiance like this from the seller. Jim
 
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HAY YOU

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Sorry to hear your problems can't be solved with hearing aids. It's terrible not being able to hear. I don't know how you got your nerve damage in your ears, if it was from the military that's a disability.

I enjoy driving around our country on it's interstate roads & bridges. I like my clean drinking water and sanitation system. I'm also glad to help kids get educated on a full stomach because this increases the likelihood of them staying in school because I see a bigger picture. If they get an education their less likely to commit crimes, prematurely have families and stay out of jail. Yes I am willing to pay a little more in taxes for this. You eluded to the fact that I might be getting a hand-out. My positions has evolved from when I was a young working man. I used to view unemployment as a crutch that would make a person lazy so I never partook in the “DOLE” I still don't. As I've gotten older I realize that people do need help in their lives, the unemployed deserve a helping hand, along with the disabled, poor kids and seniors etc, etc.

As far as me fooling myself into believing what I think I know. I research what I have to do. For example, I get the necessary permits because being a student of human nature I realize the person in-charge would like nothing better then to tell you what you can & can't do so why would I let them bird me by being unprepared. I take responsibility for what I do, instead of trying to blame others for my misfortunes.

So what I do know for sure is I've never had a bad day in my life. I just refuse to be consumed with taxes, price of gas, food or any other thing that a person can do nothing about.
 
OP
J

J king

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I'm sorry for being pissy Hay.I get irritated posting on boards and it goes off in a far off tangent but not really important to the topic.I haven't posted much here as well and probably won't if these are the types that frequent this board.I am a garage dweller and this boards has so many neat and interesting subjects but giving someone **** over trying to save on taxes is ridiculous.

Yes hearing lose ***** big time.Went to see if I can get an aid last year and was depressed by the news of no help available .Causes?.?.. Alot! Ears have had a ruff life when you are invincible.Lol
I pay every bit of my taxes..Never deducted anything but what the short form allowed.I have never received a penny from unemployment but glad it's there. My kids never received a penny for collage from our system.I do have a problem seeing my money be spent overseas and handed out as its candy at Halloween.We won't go there...sorry getting off track. Cheers, Jim

Retread your post..last line..You can try to do something about taxes..vote.how you vote doesn't concern me but more and more are not using their right to do so and it's a shame..
 
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HAY YOU

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Jim
No need to apologize to me. We all have opinions & are entitled to them. I'm pretty sure all Americans are fed up with giving money away trying to buy friends. But on that I don't understand the big picture.
Regards Dave
 

Kevin54

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Thanks to some for understanding. I didn't have all details in first post so to lame cheap shots won't be replied to. Hind sight is always 20/20.

Yes I made mistakes on first call. I had my 20s son call at first to inquire on the blemish condition.I have really bad hearing and phone conversations are tough when I can't see lips.
I called back to ask about taxes.I hate seeing my earned money being handed out by these skum in office.i pay more in taxes than many make a year so spare me your armchair duty sermons .wont read it if you post it so save your finger. We all like to save a buc.those that say different are full of it or are spending our tax dollars.

The only reason I didn't buy the lift was the salesman that sent me the email after I paid for it acted like I was lieing. Saying they wouldn't sell a lift with open package and no paint damage as a blemished product.there was no such thing. Said the owner wanted stuff listed in blemish so there was something listed.i am not shitting you. Told me this. that is where the bait and switch came from. Not upset with Greg Smith just the clown on the phone.

As for the lift I am building one to satisfy the lift height I want. Started today on it and am on vacation this week so hope to get a lot or all of it done. I may take pics and show but I always hate the armchair engineers that can't build anything but can criticize on and on. I appreciate advise so don't get me wrong.Multiple heads are better than one as long as there working for the same goal.dont need some clown telling me what I should be doing.keep it to yourself if you don't have positive Input.will see about showing it online.
Thanks for listening. I was pissed as I wanted to get lift Saturday and install it this week.

Regards, Jim


:wtf: And at times I think I get up on the wrong side of the bed.

I still don't see anything that is remotely a so called "bait and switch" and I've yet to read in this thread about some "Clowns telling you what to do" and anyone being "critical". :headscrat or even the "armchair duty sermons"

If you don't want constructive criticism, or don't want any negative replies, then don't go posting something that might generate a negative reply. If you only want positive replies or only want people that agree with your way of thinking, then you may want to have a discussion with the man in the mirror. At least with him, you'll be in 100% agreement.
 
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