Paying tax... suddenly optional?

[CrystalynRose]

Just a quick one tonight from a few hours ago while I was working my main job at the grocery store. Note: strong language

Lady came up to the register with two bottles of laundry detergent that was on sale for 2/$4. Pretty decent deal considering the stuff is usually $4 a bottle. I ring both of them through and then this happens...

SC: *instantly pissed* Wait a minute! That's supposed to be four dollars, why's it coming up $4.30?!

Me: Because laundry soap has tax on it. That's what the extra thirty cents is.

SC: Oh HELL no... you're ripping me off! Take that damn thirty cents off. I ain't paying any tax!

Me: Ma'am, that's state tax. I can't take it off. It doesn't fall under the category of medication, food, or clothing, so it automatically has tax.

SC: *grumblebitchrantgrumble* Fucking bitch ripping me off! That's no deal at all!

Me: Ma'am, at the sale price, you're getting a bottle free. At regular price for two bottles you'd be paying tax on $8 instead of $4....

SC: *stands there bitching for another minute until the person waiting in line behind her rolls his eyes and sighs loudly* FINE! But I know you're ripping me off! *hands over cash*

Me: *hands change back* Alright... you have a nice night now...


Seriously?! All that over 30 freaking cents?!

[Bright_Star]

Ske knew damn well she had to pay tax on it. She was just seeing if you would take it off if she bitched long enough.

[Jester]

Bright Star, that is a possibility, but it is also possible that you are giving far too much credit for intelligence to the SC.

[csquared]

She could have been new to the state and from a state that does not tax laundry detergent. Somehow I doubt it.

[dalesys]

If Raps puts a tax on Brain Bleach...

[Catwoman2965]

She could have been new to the state and from a state that does not tax laundry detergent. Somehow I doubt it.

Even so, you'd think she'd be aware that in MOST states there is tax on much of what you buy. I don't get people who argue over tax. Its not like the employees can NOT charge it; its out of our control!

[Argabarga]

Paying tax: Optional

Prison sentence for not paying it: Mandatory

[downforit2008]

I wonder how the IRS would react to that SC not wanting to pay taxes.

Not a freaking option when these customers are risking an audit!!! Ha ha ha!

[CrystalynRose]

I've seen her in the store often enough to know that she's definitely from around this area. I think Bright Star is probably right. She thought if she bitched at me long and loud enough that I would get intimidated and take it off. Though how she expected me to do that, I have no idea. Unless someone's got a valid tax exempt number for a school or organization, there's no way to remove it. Too bad for her a little bit of loud cussing and a lot of posturing doesn't intimidate me in the slightest.

[Food Lady]

Who doesn't know merchandise is taxed?? I had a lady with this tonight, though she wasn't sucky. I quoted her $1.77 and her response was, "It says $1.69 up there [on the menu sign]." I had to tell her there's tax. Now, I know it was food, but it wasn't a grocery item. Most deli/restaurant items are taxed.

[veniteangeli]

In New Zealand, GST (Goods and Services Tax) is automatically included in the price of everything you buy, so that if something if $4 here, part of that $4 is the tax... but that's only in New Zealand. I'm on the other side of the world and even *I* know that there's sales tax in most states in America.

Now, if I were in America and querying tax, firstly I'd be doing it politely, but secondly and most importantly, I'd have a REASON to question it, given that it's technically outside my realm of knowledge and experience - but this lady had no such excuse!

[blas]

Paying sales tax on clothes is absurd.

I am almost willing to bet I'd save money (even if gas is expensive for the trip) if I just went to Minnesota once or twice a year and bought a ton of clothes at once instead of a piddly trip every few weeks to the local mall here for a shirt or a pair of workout pants or a pair or two of jeans at 5.5% sales tax.

[Food Lady]

Well, 5.5% is better than nearly 8% (tax in CA when I left).

[blas]

Yeah, it was pretty expensive in Washington state the two times I went there as well.

Good thing Grampy bought me that stuff.

If gas wasn't so expensive and I wasn't scared of driving in huge cities, I'd probably live at MOA.

[Cole's Law]

Paying sales tax on clothes is absurd.

I am almost willing to bet I'd save money (even if gas is expensive for the trip) if I just went to Minnesota once or twice a year and bought a ton of clothes at once instead of a piddly trip every few weeks to the local mall here for a shirt or a pair of workout pants or a pair or two of jeans at 5.5% sales tax.

In my state, all food items are taxed-everything in the grocery store gets tax added on to it. Good times.