Heritage Shipping

[Yoda]

Well, because Heritage has an office in Florida, which I guess gives a Texas company the right to charge Fl sales tax. I doubt they have an office in South Dakota. I don't understand it but I guess that is the law. And yes it is a real office here in Palm Beach. I have been down there and kicked the tires. It is not a PO box.

[RedsFan1941]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Well, because Heritage has an office in Florida, which I guess gives a Texas company the right to charge Fl sales tax. I doubt they have an office in South Dakota. I don't understand it but I guess that is the law. And yes it is a real office here in Palm Beach. I have been down there and kicked the tires. It is not a PO box.

"the right" to "charge" sales tax. lol

[Jenx34]

I just looked at Heritage's Terms & Conditions and their general FAQ on their site and there is no mention of taking credit cards at all. I've only won one lot from Heritage and it was July 2017. At that time, the info I saw clearly stated they accepted credit cards up to $5,000 and there was no addition to the 20% buyer's premium. I am not sure what they are doing now as the T&C don't mention it.

In reply to those who commented that it wouldn't be prudent to "eat" the 3% credit card fees, I would submit two thoughts:
- Large companies with high volumes can negotiate lower fees with CC vendors/banks.
- That argument is not considering the fact that the use of credit cards often increases purchases both in volume and amount. While it is impossible to know how taking credit cards would directly affect this type of business, it is entirely possible they would make additional $$ in bids because they take credit cards. It is my preferred method and HA and Sterling take them so I look there first for items I may want. There is a reason companies began taking credit cards in the first place. The primary two reasons are convenience and higher sales.

[Yoda]

Yes, and also add a third reason: the AH doesn't want to pay Visa/MC 3%, preferring to pass the cost along to the customer who wishes to pay by credit/debit card which, harking back to my original point, puts me in a hole when competing against fellow bidders, especially for desirable high value items, residing in a state where Heritage has no physical presence and who wish to pay by check. A smaller auction house, like Sterling, hungry for new and repeat bidders, must feel they have little choice but to absorb the 3% cost. A similar reasoning probably exists why Heritage won't take Ebay. The FL sales tax and credit card surcharge added $600 to my auction total and that was painful.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yes, and also add a third reason: the AH doesn't want to pay Visa/MC 3%, preferring to pass the cost along to the customer who wishes to pay by credit/debit card which, harking back to my original point, puts me in a hole when competing against fellow bidders, especially for desirable high value items, residing in a state where Heritage has no physical presence and who wish to pay by check. A smaller auction house, like Sterling, hungry for new and repeat bidders, must feel they have little choice but to absorb the 3% cost. A similar reasoning probably exists why Heritage won't take Ebay. The FL sales tax and credit card surcharge added $600 to my auction total and that was painful.

Also, since you mentioned Sterling, Sterling also charges 3% for using a CC. The difference is Sterling states it as a discount to the buyer's premium for other payment methods rather than as a charge for using a CC: "A buyer's premium equal to 19% of the high bid will be added to all lots. 3% discount will be applicable if payment is made by check, cash or money order. A $1000 winning bid will be charged $1190." Therefore if you're paying with a cc, your still paying more than the person who pays by check. I know LOTG and many other auction houses do the same. The smaller AH's aren't eating that 3% to get more business.

[robertsmithnocure]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Well, because Heritage has an office in Florida, which I guess gives a Texas company the right to charge Fl sales tax. I doubt they have an office in South Dakota. I don't understand it but I guess that is the law. And yes it is a real office here in Palm Beach. I have been down there and kicked the tires. It is not a PO box.

John, do you realize that you owe that tax no matter whether Heritage collects in on behalf of the state or not? The tax has nothing to do with Heritage having an office in Florida or not. When you buy something from Heritage or Sterling (your example), you are obligated to pay the same tax. It is just that you have to submit the payment directly yourself.

http://floridarevenue.com/taxes/Pages/consumer.aspx

[Yoda]

I think I get it now, maybe. If a winning Heritage internet bidder in South Dakota doesn't have Heritage collect a sales tax, which only happens in states where they have a physical presence, he is still liable for it and needs to remit same to the state on a voluntary basis. Which I am sure rarely if ever happens. And I suppose their refusal to accept Pay Pal as a method of payment and making winning bidders "eat" the 3% credit card fee they should be paying, are simply business decisions and Heritage profit enhancers.
My only point when I initiated this thread is that, when trying, often failing, to calculate any kind of successful bidding strategy, I have to entertain costs that folks in other states don't need to. My hit ratio in their last auction was abysmal