Perdue to end tax-free sales week. (Valdosta, Thomasville: school, sales tax, prices)

[southgeorgia]

So I heard on the radio this morning that Perdue is ending the tax-free sales week. I realize they need money, but this is a terrible idea. It was started because south GA retailers were losing all of the back-to-school business to FL, who has offered a tax-free back-to-school week for years. This affects every retail hub on the GA/FL line; Bainbridge, Thomasville, Valdosta, Waycross, and Kingsland.

[MovedfromFL]

The way things look in FL these days, maybe they will end their tax free week also. These times call for severe belt tightening.

[GRS86]

Quite frankly, I don't think that Gov. Perdue has much choice concerning the matter!

[tdatl]

I've always wondered if these tax-free weekends save anyone any real money. Especially on the computers and stuff like that, I wonder if the MBAs behind the scenes raise prices around that time just enough to offset the sales tax savings. Reminds me of 'going out of business' sales where the belief they're getting a great deal results in consumers paying more than they ever would have paid before the 'sale.'

[midgeorgiaman]

Personally, I have found that the "sales" during that weekend aren't as good as the ones a few weeks after. Also, the crowds are so bad that I swore off the tax free weekend. Sometimes 20 bucks in savings isn't worth the crowds and lines.

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by midgeorgiaman

Sometimes 20 bucks in savings isn't worth the crowds and lines.

Yeh its really not much money that people are saving, but they all used to flock to FL for back-to-school shopping.