Wednesday, February 24, 2010

CalChamber Views Amazon Tax as Harmful

CalChamber, of which this Chamber is a member, takes an opposing view to that which I penned here in previous posts. So let's give their POV a look-see. They say passing an amended law that puts more teeth in the sales and use tax enforcement jaws would HURT small business, apparently because the online purveyors who benefit from it might retaliate and move out: Amazon.com, Overstock.com, et al. Take a look.

I'm not convinced, yet, and I'd like to see a careful analysis of the impacts of letting online purchases skirt taxes even as local retailers struggle from one of the highest such taxes in the nation. It's 9.75% in my neighborhood if I want to buy a frisbee, a flat screen or some other tangible thing. But online, hey - you can save 10% without leaving home!

The reason I'm trying to focus on the local impact of this State legislation is that one of our mantras is "shop local". When you do, a portion of your purchase will come back to you, right in your very own back yard! Meanwhile, I'm hoping the legislators look at a way to level the playing field by insisting that online resources also contribute to tax collection.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Tracking ABX8 8 - The Amazon Tax

If you are interested in tracking the bill that might establish more fair practices in collecting sales and use tax in California, see this site. Search ABX8 8 when prompted.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Equalizing the Board of Equalization Approach

Sales tax is avoided when a California resident purchases a book or a widget online, instead of at the neighborhood store. This is the third wave of competitive body slams against traditional brick and mortar retail - first came the malls, then big boxes, now — the Internet. But perhaps not for long. Here's the story on the California State Legislators review of the tax losses incurred by the cash strapped state - it's picking up steam and becoming known as the Amazon Tax. I was encouraged to read that our leaders are finally waking up to this issue. It's nice for consumers to save money, don't get me wrong. But for years Chamber Members have been advising me that they are turning into "showrooms" while the Internet gets the sale. Downtown lovers, beware! We need to equalize the rules imposed by the Board of Equalization - the tax man. Your neighborhood store no longer has "convenience" as a unique benefit, don't handicap it with an unfair price hike of 9.75% when compared to online shopping carts loaded with identical items.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Atta Boy for Attebery

The new show at SoPas Gallery was a big hit - hands down! Craig Attebery is the artist, and the show is "People Places and Things." The paintings are technically brilliant and the titles fitting for a recession - "$1,000, half off" hangs opposite two larger works, yes, you guessed it - an arm and a leg. The show stays at the Gallery throughout March for more info, visit www.southpaschamber.com

Friday, February 19, 2010

Shopping Local Online 1.3 - New Orleans

This one's for Odom. Here's a terrific list of the natural consequences of supporting a local economy, all of 'em good for the soul . . . Stay Local! New Orleans.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

How to Contact State Legislators (South Pasadena)

Here's the link to the South Pasadena Chamber page that has legislative contact info. In the case of the Independent Contractor Withholdings issue, you will want to contact Senator Gil Cedillo, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. http://www.southpaschamber.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=71

Independent Contractor Bad Tax Alert!

The State of California needs money, now. And they're thinki' of takin' it from YOU, dear independent contractor, self-employed entrepreneur, lone ranger! Yes, you may get whacked with a 3% withholding tax and all the burden that comes with compliance, if you don't speak up now and tell your legislators enough! Here's a link to the CalChamber page that gives you the scoop, and ways that you can be heard up in Sacramento. http://www.calchamber.com/headlines/pages/fastgrowingcoalitionopposingindependentcontractorwithholding.aspx

While We Were Waiting

As South Pasadena planned and unplanned and outreached and soul-searched, other nearby villages went forward with downtown revitalization plans. Some seem well done, others a bit over the top. The advantage we now have over these smarties who beat the recession and went live with their plans is that we can observe and learn and perhaps add the best of what we like into our, ahem . . . ongoing downtown revitalization plans. Here's one example in nearby Claremont. It's old. It's new. What's it look like to you?

Second Acts for Theatres

Not that there's any reason for me to share this, but, well, here are two old theatres whose second acts came by way of morphing into indie bookstores. Enjoy!

Midtown Scholar in Harrisburg PA

Tattered Cover, Denver CO

Monday, February 15, 2010

Healthcare Hike for Home-based Honchos

Health insurance is getting to be prohibitive for small employers to offer as a fringe - even to themselves! The recent rate hike announced by Anthem Blue Shield of as much as 39% has some people on individual policies reeling - yours truly included. The Chamber is so small we don't qualify for a group plan (need two full-timers). I gotta figure that many of you sole proprietors and indie contractors are in the same boat. Here's a good column by David Lazarus of the LA Times about it. Let me know if you have an answer!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Shopping Local Online 1.2 - Ugly Dolls

Buying commodities online is cheap and easy. Price comparisons abound. Customer reviews are at hand. Who wouldn't love the convenience? So, in my quest to see if shopping local online is indeed possible, I will move to more interesting and unique merchandise. Let's see if I can find a store within ZIP 91030 that can sell me an Ugly Doll today, say, for an emergency birthday gift. (I happen to know the answer to this: Yes; The Dinosaur Farm, 1510 Mission Street, So. Pasadena; http://www.dinofarm.com/).

So here we go: Google Local Search results for Uglydoll: 3,977 results; 4 nearby stores - all Barnes & Noble, none in ZIP 91030. Nope. If I didn't already know what I knew, I'd be in the car now driving up to Colorado Boulevard and helping the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce boost their city sales tax base instead of my own. Hmmph.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Free Coffee at Mission West Kitchen & Bath February 18th at 8am

The next free cup 'o joe will be at Mission West Kitchen & Bath on Thursday, February 18th at 8am. Just drive on over to 905 Mission St. and step inside to meet Thano Adamson and his team. This is the sister store to the famed Mission West Tile - one of the superstars of the local retail scene. Join us for the Chamber's regular Network Koffee. It's free!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Branding on the Marks!

Suzanne Marks, that is! Come hear retail branding strategy demystified by the President and CEO of Pasadena Advertising. Marks is past-president of Old Pasadena Business Improvement District and her team created the Metro campaign to launch the Gold Line. ShopTalk is Tuesday, March 2nd at Mike & Anne's on Mission Street. $10 Members/$15 guests. Full breakfast included. ShopTalk is sponsored by Athens Services, a Chamber Trustee.

Join the Chamber Champs in Relay for Life!

Chamber Champs will walk to find a cure for cancer in this year's South Pasadena Relay for Life. Led by Team Captain David Melford of Sotheby's International Realty, the Chamber Champs will assist in fundraising and festivities. It's a great way to get more involved with the Chamber. Join us! Call 626-441-2339 for details.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Eclectic Music Festival & Art Walk May 1st

The date has been set - prepare to participate! The Eclectic Music Festival & Art Walk will return to South Pasadena on Saturday, May 1, 2010. The Events Committee is lining up the participants and attractions now. If you'd like to assist - call the Chamber! 626-441-2339.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Shopping Local Online 1.1 - AA Batteries Please!

Will Google Local truly connect me to a local retailer with a great price on AA Batteries in stock? This is how the Google Local Center lured me -- that I could do that. So I clicked and searched. Results: 192 options near ZIP 91030. Wow! Cheapest, six bucks. 69 sellers. 30 pinpointed as "nearby stores." Of those, among the top ten on screen, five were nearby in that they were online and delivered overnight, and five had bricks and mortar or equivalent. But those five were - you guessed it, chain stores! And they were nearby, but not local (read: sales tax from that sale won't get to my ZIP.)

Now, I happen to know I can buy AA Batteries at a dozen spots within walking distance of my Mac. But I managed to establish a clear answer to my first concern over Google Local: "Local" is a relative term. In fact, I think they mean "within reach of your keyboard and a one-day wait", not right in your own back yard. But one test alone is not a market study. So check back later after I test drive a little further.