On Thu, 22 Apr 2004, Kenneth Wilford wrote:

> 4. You got such a good deal.  $521 for this set of hoses.  If you lied
> to the dealer and told them they were for resale and gave them a tax id
> number then you didn't pay sales tax.  However most people would have to
> pay sales tax.

> There is no sales tax since I am in NJ and you are in SC.

FWIW, I don't know about SC, but Michigan charges "use tax" on out of
state purchases from vendors that don't charge Michigan sales tax.  The
use tax is equal to the in-state sales tax.  So if you're *really* honest,
you end up paying the sales tax in April if you don't pay it at the time
of purchase.  This is the most commonly evaded tax in existance, though.
Almost no one pays it, enforcement is about nil.  I don't know if other
states have this tax.

I agree with your other points, however.

> 5.  Getting Vanagon parts from your local VW dealer in 2 days is not the
> norm.

Tell me about it!  It took me over a week to get a lousy headlight
adjuster screw!

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon
'82 VW Vanagon Westfalia Diesel