Mall of America Phase Two

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by Globe199

But that isn't really the question. If you live out-of-state, the question is No MOA vs MOA. Which would you rather have?

Maybe the MOA has stats on why people shop there. I refuse to believe that any more than ~2-3% of shoppers are there for the tax break.

I have no idea on the percentages. But tourists love gimmicks, like duty free shops.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Globe199

But that isn't really the question. If you live out-of-state, the question is No MOA vs MOA. Which would you rather have?

Maybe the MOA has stats on why people shop there. I refuse to believe that any more than ~2-3% of shoppers are there for the tax break.

Actually, quite a few people DO shop at MOA for the tax savings. Northwest Airlines has many shopping deal flights from the upper-midwest, arrive in the morning, shop all day, fly out at night--usually from places like Sioux Falls, Chicago Midway, Omaha, etc. Many, many Canadians drive down to do shopping--well at least before the gas prices when through the roof--because the tax savings for them was HUGE-15+% for many of the provences. There are a lot of people that plan vacations that incorporate a trip to MOA and discover the no tax on clothing and end up buy quite a bit there because of that. I worked at the MOA for a while and I was amazed at the number of people that WOULD come just to save on the tax. I am sure that the high gas prices will change this though.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Actually, quite a few people DO shop at MOA for the tax savings. Northwest Airlines has many shopping deal flights from the upper-midwest, arrive in the morning, shop all day, fly out at night--usually from places like Sioux Falls, Chicago Midway, Omaha, etc. Many, many Canadians drive down to do shopping--well at least before the gas prices when through the roof--because the tax savings for them was HUGE-15+% for many of the provences. There are a lot of people that plan vacations that incorporate a trip to MOA and discover the no tax on clothing and end up buy quite a bit there because of that. I worked at the MOA for a while and I was amazed at the number of people that WOULD come just to save on the tax. I am sure that the high gas prices will change this though.

I am not saying that you are wrong, but this just sounds bizarre. I can't imagine why anyone would want to spend the money on gas or air fare just to travel all the way to the MOA simply to save a few bucks on taxes. The only way this scenario would make sense is if the person was buying thousands of dollars in clothing.

The MOA is (oddly) one of the top tourists destinations in the US. People go there for the experience and I think that it is safe to say that the tax-free shopping is a bonus, not a reason, to visit.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

I am not saying that you are wrong, but this just sounds bizarre. I can't imagine why anyone would want to spend the money on gas or air fare just to travel all the way to the MOA simply to save a few bucks on taxes. The only way this scenario would make sense is if the person was buying thousands of dollars in clothing.

The MOA is (oddly) one of the top tourists destinations in the US. People go there for the experience and I think that it is safe to say that the tax-free shopping is a bonus, not a reason, to visit.

Think of it more as they are going to see the MOA and the savings on taxes is a bonus to that. Since they are going anyway, they might as well do their back to school shopping or whatever. People DO spend thousands doing just that. I remember one family coming in from one of the Arab countries that bought almost $10,000 in pajamas for all the women they were traveling with--LOVED that commission check!!

[sfw1979]

We are already going to be in MN to visit family so we might as well go to the MOA, bring the kids on some rides, and shop around for school clothes. It's not that we are going to save so much money, but it's that we will already be in the area, the selectin of stores is great, and a perk is no tax. We will spend more going school shopping there becasue of the rides, we may go on underwater world, etc.. But we want to make it a special day for our kids.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by sfw1979

We are already going to be in MN to visit family so we might as well go to the MOA, bring the kids on some rides, and shop around for school clothes. It's not that we are going to save so much money, but it's that we will already be in the area, the selectin of stores is great, and a perk is no tax. We will spend more going school shopping there becasue of the rides, we may go on underwater world, etc.. But we want to make it a special day for our kids.

Stop by a Super America gas station on your way. They often have 2 for 1 deals for Underwater World and discount prices on wristbands for Universal whatever it is called now--at least they did when it was Camp Snoopy.