Simms urges support for on-line sales tax

[Joe D]

Marketplace Fairness Act creates level playing field for specialty fly shops
​

BOZEMAN, Montana (for immediate release) – Simms Fishing Products is urging the U.S. Congress to approve legislation that enforces sales taxes on Internet sales from out-of-state retailers with online revenues totaling more than $500,000.

The proposed legislation, titled the Marketplace Fairness Act (S-1832), levels the sales tax collection playing field for local retailers by granting the states authority to enforce existing laws and require out-of-state, online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes to those states. Sponsored by Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), the proposed legislation has strong bipartisan support.

“Our business and the sport of fly fishing depend on healthy specialty fly shops,” said K.C. Walsh, president of Simms. “This legislation will close a critical loophole that has given an unfair competitive advantage to online retailers. Our dealer-partners in states with high sales taxes have been hit hard trying to do business under the current structure.”

The legislation does not mandate a new sales tax. Under current law in 45 states, consumers are supposed to pay sales taxes on the goods they purchase, but online sellers are not collecting the tax in the same way that local brick-and-mortar businesses are.

“With the Internet and modern shopping methods, fly fishers can go online and get an all-inclusive price to have an item delivered to their doorstep,” said Bill Kiene, owner of Kiene’s Fly Shop in Sacramento, Calif. “When an online retailer doesn’t charge California’s 8-10 percent sales tax, that price comes in below what my shop must charge. This bill would rectify that.”

This legislation is being supported by a wide variety of retailers, manufacturers and organizations. The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association and The National Bicycle Dealers Association are in favor of this legislation. Amazon.com, Sears Holdings Corp. and traditional retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. also back the measure.

“Specialty fly fishing retailers have been critical to our growth in revenues and jobs,” said Walsh.
“They are being unfairly impinged by online retailers who do not currently collect sales taxes,
challenging their viability and jobs in local markets. Please contact your legislators to support
the Marketplace Fairness Act.”

About Simms Fishing Products: Established in 1980, Simms Fishing Products is the
recognized leader in guide-quality fishing waders, outerwear, footwear and apparel. Their full
line of gear is available at specialty and large format retailers nationwide. For more information
on Simms, please visit www.simmsfishing.com. For additional media information, please contact
Matt Crawford at Pale Morning Media, matt@palemorning.com or call 802.583.6069.

 

[BRK TRT]

Were they not the first company to stop selling felt soles on their waders?
Inovation.


Brk Trt

 

[David G]

BRK TRT
I think they were the first to stop with felt. they will also be the first to bring
felt back in 2012.

 

[narcodog]

That would be a fine idea, charging sales tax. Here is rub, I would not order from folks in NY or California as their taxes are out of site. I would order from States with the lowest tax rate. Now if the made an internet specific tax that was equal across all fifty states that would be a different ball of wax.

 

[GARYB]

Simms is the most overpriced, overhyped fly fishing supplier in the world.
Let's see first you bought felt boots, then they tell ya, you need rubber due to didy-mo
and next season it's ok to go back to felt. So now you will have 3 sets of boots.

 

[tomfly]

Simms, Orvis, and Cabalas all have one thing in common. They all want to separate you from your money. I am ok with that. I know what their trying to do. They all market the latest and greatest and tell you. Buy this Product, but do you really need it? That is for you to decide. Just take the Sharkskin line for an example. They marketed it as a revolutionary design in fly-lines. I know a person very close to me that purchased one. I will say it is good in concept, less drag in the water with flow dynamics. What they did not tell you is; because the line is not smooth and has that shark skin rough feel to it, dirt and stream debris clings to it like a magnet. Gee I want to clean my line every time I fish. I personally try to use the equipment I have until it needs to be replaced.

 

[narcodog]

Simms, Orvis, and Cabalas all have one thing in common. They all want to separate you from your money. I am ok with that. I know what their trying to do. They all market the latest and greatest and tell you. Buy this Product, but do you really need it? That is for you to decide. Just take the Sharkskin line for an example. They marketed it as a revolutionary design in fly-lines. I know a person very close to me that purchased one. I will say it is good in concept, less drag in the water with flow dynamics. What they did not tell you is; because the line is not smooth and has that shark skin rough fell to it, dirt and stream debris clings to it like a magnet. Gee I want to clean my line every time I fish. I personally try to use the equipment I have until it needs to be replaced.

In reference to Shark Skin a friend of mine in Montana and fishes a lot has wore a groove in the line guard of his Ross reel, not good.

 

[golden beetle]

Do you mean Chris Takacs?

Or what?

 

[BrownChickenBrownTrout]

I call bullshit. If a retailer in CA can't make it because of 8-10% sales tax, I think he's in the wrong biz. If you start leveling the playing field what happens when a retailer in rural PA goes up against him? "oh, it's an unfair buisness advantage because hE pays less in mortgage, taxes, labor blah blah blah"

If your in a brick and mortar business you need to have a better product not rely on the government to tax your competition. Sates have sales taxes, it's there duty to enforce it. Really we're talking computer programming. I buy all the time from amazon and NJ get their vig.

 

[WBDluver]

If Simms is so worried about the small retailer, then why do they sell their products through big box stores like Cabelas and Bass Pro?

 

[Joe D]

If Simms is so worried about the small retailer, then why do they sell their products through big box stores like Cabelas and Bass Pro?

I thought the same thing when I read it. Who's supplying the online sellers with Simms product?

 

[danme]

Online Sales Tax IS BULLSHIT -- If I go visit a State without Sales Tax I dont pay -- So Why should I pay it if I order it online?? Think about that!!

This sales tax is just another BLEEDING HEART LIBERAL LEFTIST way to get more of your money to give to themselves (STEAL IT) and say they are using it for SOCIALIST COMMY MARXIST programs that are Bankrupting and ruining this country

Nuff Said

Peace
Dan