Internet Commerce

A continuing problem for booksellers, especially those with an online presence, is the receipt of fraudulent orders. A number of booksellers have reported receiving bogus orders from overseas -- via either their retail Web sites or e-mail -- for large numbers of hardcover books, often Bibles or medical texts. These orders usually originate in Nigeria, Ghana, Singapore, or Egypt and are usually in excess of $150. The books being ordered are most often Bibles, other religious titles, medical texts, or other reference books.

Independent booksellers, including Kepler's, protest state's tax system By David Boyce Almanac Staff Writer

In an effort to keep members up-to-date on the latest news and changes as BookSense.com evolves, BTW is introducing a new monthly feature from BookSense.com Director Len Vlahos, "BookSense.com On the Move…"

ABA President Ann Christophersen today called upon Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Borders to follow the lead of national retailers that recently have begun to collect sales tax on their online sales. The news of the retailers' decision comes just days after more than 560 independent booksellers nationwide joined as co-signers on letters to their state governors calling for the states to enforce state tax laws fairly and uniformly.

This week over 560 independent booksellers nationwide joined ABA President Ann Christophersen in signing letters urging their state governors and other elected officials to immediately take steps to enforce state tax laws fairly and uniformly. Specifically, the letters call for states to require retailers with a physical presence in their respective states to collect sales taxes on online sales. (To read the full text of the letter, click here.)

This is the last opportunity for booksellers to add their names to an important ABA letter calling for sales tax fairness. The letter will soon be sent to the U.S. governors in the 45 states that collect sales tax and will call on them to enforce existing tax regulations by making sure that retailers with a physical presence in their states collect sales tax on online sales. While hundreds of booksellers have signed on to the letter, ABA is hoping that even more booksellers will join their colleagues before the letter is mailed.

There is still time for booksellers to add their names to an ABA letter calling on U.S. governors in the 45 states that collect sales tax to enforce existing tax regulations by making sure that retailers with a physical presence in their states collect sales tax on online sales. Hundreds of booksellers have already added their names to the letter, but ABA is looking to include the signatures of as many ABA member stores in these states as possible.

The troubling effects of falling tax revenues continue to multiply for elected officials facing rapidly growing deficits. Forty-one states collected less revenue in fiscal 2002 than they had planned for in their budgets. Nationwide, sales tax collections were 3.2 percent lower than originally budgeted, personal income tax collections missed states' targets by 12.8 percent, and corporate income taxes were 21.5 percent lower than projected.

The American Booksellers Association has once again called on the U.S. governors in the 45 states that collect sales tax to fully enforce existing regulations by ensuring that retailers with a physical presence in their state collect sales tax on online sales.

Over the past few days, a number of booksellers have contacted ABA to say that they have received fraudulent orders from overseas -- via either their retail Web sites or e-mail -- for large numbers of hardcover books, often Bibles or medical texts. Here's a reminder of important e-commerce advice that BookSense.com sent to participating stores earlier in the year.