[Jump]

I sure hope other states start doing their job and protecting consumers from the obvious fraud.

SHOP THE INTERNET FOR a computer product, like the 17-inch ViewSonic monitor. One of the cheapest prices you'll find is the $139.99 quote from TigerDirect -- a merchant owned by Systemax.

But you'd have to read the small print to learn that TigerDirect's quoted price assumes you collect the $50 manufacturer's rebate. That's no small assumption, given the widespread complaints about TigerDirect's failure to pay rebates.

The complaints fill Internet discussion forums, customer lawsuits and now, an active investigation by Florida's attorney general. Port Washington, N.Y.-based Systemax (ticker: SYX), however, has told investors nothing of this rebate ruckus.

Can This Tiger Keep Roaring? - Barron's Online

[Jonboy]

manufacturer's rebate is a funny thing.

I can see why it is allowed to continue. It doesn't happen in the UK, and here's why... In the UK the price advertised to the consumer INCLUDES sales tax (Value Added Tax), but in the states you don't 'know' the tax until you take the item to the check-out. The tax is calculated on the price before the rebate, so the tax is higher.

Obviously, the manufacturer is also counting on a large fraction of the buyers to not ask for the rebate money.

[Eraser55]

yeah, same here.. tax is included in retail price.. they tried before to advertise without the tax, so they would seem cheaper.. but then the gov punnished those bastards.. Now everything has to be advertised with the actual price, including taxes and other fees..

[Jump]

Yes but here tax is state based. So if the online seller does not have any brick and mortar in your state you pay no tax. Plus each county and city within a state may have a tax so it changes by local area.

[Eraser55]

wow.. complicated system..

[sentinels]

yeah, our tax system here is a joke. don't even get me started on income tax and tax brackets.

[Jump]

LOL, right. Anyway, states have rights and responsibility's. Though it may seem confusing it works quite well. Some states have no sales tax. If I buy online from a place that has no BM in my state it's tax free.

You EU folks say you don't understand but are you paying EU sales tax or from your country? If from your country then it's no different than me paying it for my state.

[Eraser55]

We are in europe but not in EU..

[Jump]

Not going for the whole EU thing eh?

[Ambrosius]

Everyone move to Deaware -- no tax!

[Hornet]

I'm on my way to Deaware! If I could just find it on a map.... :P

[GrimGriz]

Actually it's pretty neat up here. In Washington state there's no state income tax, and in Oregon there's no state sales tax...so if you live on the border