Tax Internet Sales to Save the Local Shop?

The current economic situation is dismal at best, and the recent debt ceiling increase isn’t going to help. It’s one of those ‘don’t get me started topics’ so, how does your business survive?

A recent CNN Money Q&A asked small business owners what they would tell the current administration about how to help. (I have my own thoughts on that, but will reserve that for another day.)

Tax Internet Sales?

One of the suggestions (from a local store owner) was to tax internet sales with the intent that people will start shopping at local brick and mortar stores again.

Sorry, that’s just not going to work and here’s why:

Taxing internet sales to get people to shop at local, independent stores is like taxing cigarettes to get people to quit smoking.

and we all know how well that worked. How many people quit smoking because cigarettes are now $6+ a pack? Yea, my point exactly!

Change People’s Buying Habits?

We’re headed toward our second decade of the world wide web as we know it. Smart phones, iPads, QR codes and online shopping are here to stay.

Granted, nothing replaces an in-store experience. However, with technology, convenience and unlimited options of the web, taxing internet sales is not going to change people’s buying habits.

* 62% of consumers with web-connected mobile devices are buying goods via mobile

Higher taxes didn’t work to get people to quit smoking, it’s not going to work for saving ‘mom & pop.’

My Bookstore Experience

I recently tried to buy the book, Personality Not Included, in a local book store and they didn’t have it and didn’t know when it was coming in.

So, what did I do? I logged on to Amazon.com, ordered the book and got it in less than 4 days.

If The Mountain Won’t Come to You….

I’m not going to sugar-coat it. In today’s world, you are going to have to go to where your potential customers are if won’t come to you and they are on the web. That’s the bottom line.

The internet is THE most cost-effective way to leverage your sales efforts, grow your business and help you survive. With increased revenue from a strong internet presence that works, you’ll then be able to hire more employees, increase your product line and contribute more to your local community.

You need to be BOTH a local AND internet business if you want to survive. That’s simply the reality if you don’t want to wind up another small business (out of business) statistic or boarded up store front.

What do YOU think? Do you think taxing internet sales will save the ‘mom & pop’ or not? Let’s talk about it. Leave a comment below.

To Your Success,

p.s. If you’re just starting out or struggling on the web, we need to talk. Our company can help you get there. Click on the purple ‘Contact Us’ button to send me a message.

* Source – Internet Retailer