So, I just placed an online order at Restoration Hardware Baby and Child for baby clothes (really cute!) and found that I had been charged sales tax. Even though Massachusetts just raised its tax to 6.25%, it hasn't (yet) started taxing apparel. For now, clothing under $175 is exempt.
I called Restoration Hardware to ask about the tax, and the courteous but clearly skeptical phone rep told me that yes, indeed, I did have to pay the tax - out-of-state sales weren't exempt. It's not the "out of state" issue I'm protesting, I told her - it's the fact that Massachusetts doesn't tax clothes. She said she would check. But she didn't sound happy about it.
After a long time on hold, the rep came back on the line and told me that in fact the tax was in error. But RHB&C couldn't credit my order right away; they'd have to wait until it shipped. Really?
Anyway, the moral of this story is that even though Massachusetts needs every tax dollar it can scrape up, retailers don't get to charge extra tax. So buyer: Beware!
