Sears replaces tax-free weekend with discounts
5:55 PM Wed, Aug 12, 2009 | Permalink
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Consumers forlorn over the loss this year of the annual sales tax holiday in Massachusetts can head over to any Sears store in the Bay State this weekend to catch a break on prices. The state of Massachusetts did away with the popular two-day tax break in 2009 -- a victim of the poor economy. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said the tax holiday, which took place Aug. 16 and 17 in 2008, "would be a very difficult thing" to repeat in a budget year that has already seen sharp program cuts, layoffs and an increase in the sales tax to 6.25 percent. The annual tax break was a boon to retailers, producing revenues that rivaled Christmas season sales at most stores, Sears included. So the Illinois-based department store chain decided to run its own discounts this weekend, said Ed Downey, manager at the Sears in Emerald Square Mall in North Attleboro, Mass. "The tax-free holidays were very popular," Downey said. He understands why Massachusetts politicians ignored pleas from the state's retailers to offer the tax break in 2009. "There is no hiding from the current economic woes," Downey said. "It's not the state that is the bad guy; the bad guy in this is the economy." So, Sears is offering 10-percent discounts Aug. 15 and Aug. 16 on all goods in its 22 stores in Massachusetts -- on top of any other price breaks offered on individual items. The discount is actually greater than the 6.25-percent tax rate now imposed on many goods in Massachusetts. 
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It funny how I always seem to find out about these discounts after they have passed. I hope Sears starts another one soon... need to save all the money I can.
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