Originally Posted by
W2B Globetrotter
In addition to the Japanese (constant) and Australian (recent) shoppers, a good number of mainland shoppers will also desire purchasing designer/luxury items in Hawaii due to the lower sales tax (4.5% Honolulu, 4.0% elsewhere I believe).
For instance, a vacationing Californian who really wants a certain pair of Prada shoes or LV purse, would pay less in Waikiki (4.5%) rather than in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach or San Francisco (7.25% to 8.75% - ave 8.25%). Maybe not much, but you know how some shoppers will try to rationalize purchases
And I've never noticed any discernible difference in luxury good pricing between designer stores in Waikiki/Ala Moana vs Beverly Hills/San Fran. It's the exact same price for the exact same item.
Yes, but perhaps one can still get away with ordering LV from eluxury.com and "pay no sales tax" while they are offering free shipping. Of course, this doesn't really help those in California.
Just adding.... I noticed it too at Ala Moana mall... very very high end (though we really enjoyed the Apple store... we live in a small town and things like that are exciting to us...
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