Local Shopping
Dear Editor: I’ve noticed that local stores have improved their prices and their stock. I particularly feel this has happened at Russell’s and at Bayview Outlet. (I’ll bet this is happening elsewhere, but these stores match my shopping profile.) I used to shop at Cabela’s, after looking for the item in town and either not finding it or finding it too expensive. Now, I look in town and find a close price match, with the advantage of help from salespersons who know all the ins and outs of their merchandise.
Some very good work is being done in local retail. You recently showcased Silver Bay and Murray Pacific, two important and dynamic businesses in town. I think there is a story in how our other retailers are transforming their businesses. My request would be that you feature some of the folks involved in this about how their thinking has moved forward in this increasingly promising effort to compete with the online retailers.
The story might touch on how online retailers should bear the same burden of collecting sales tax. Essentially, online retailers vacuum up our disposable income, without returning anything to the community.
Local businesses are increasingly in touch with what local consumers need or want to buy. They are figuring out how to be within range on prices. They also collect the sales tax that will be so increasingly important, now that the state is in a fiscal crisis. Personally, I still have to make a price-based buying decision, but when the local price is close and I realize that sales tax is being collected, that adds to my appreciation for being able to see and handle the item I want, with the help of someone who can tell me about it.
Finally, I think we should show our appreciation for local retailers, by sending online retailers the sign up sheet for sales-tax accounts. The city can work up a list of these online sellers and send them out-of-compliance notices, the sign-up application, and their first quarterly report sheet. It only takes a $50 deposit to get started. If I had to mail out these notices, the first one would go to Cabelas. I bet that they will sign up.
John Welsh, Sitka
