Who DIDN'T see this one coming? So why the shock and awe and breathless stories recently in the media around here that Washingtonians are firing up their suburus and heading for the border to buy booze? The question is why more of them aren't doing it!When Washington state voters approved privatizing the booze biz allowing stores to sell it, sponsors gave a spiff to the old state run liquor stores and Mom and Pops that might be priced out by the likes of Costco so they embedded a huge tax in it. Now it's almost as expensive as it was before under the ball and chains of total government control. That fee is $3.00/liter plus .50 per bottle. The upshot? You get to the check stand expecting to pay one price and they stick the extra taxes and fees on---winding up in sticker shock.
With and without the huge tax, Washington prices are too high.
Recently some friends from California came up to visit. We headed to Washington for some R and R and a big party for the 4th of July. One friend was stunned at the ridiculous prices for alcohol to make her favorite drink. Check out my price list to see why.
I sure hope someone is working on a tax roll back on these outrageous taxes and fees.
I used to have to go to Oregon on a monthly (or more) basis. What I saved on booze while I was there, paid for the gas. The I took a road trip to California. Those savings could pay for a lot of gas. I sometimes wonder, is it cheaper to buy in Canada and pay the duty?
ReplyDeleteDo you actually take a moment to think for more than 5 seconds as to why it might be so expensive in Washington? How about the fact that they don't have an income tax? That their sales tax is how they fund the state. Oregon has an income tax, no sales tax. California has income tax, sales tax and high property taxes. So the fact that Booze is cheaper hardly offsets the cost of living there. And if you're going to drive to California to save money on booze I think you've got some serious issues beyond your desire to save money on alcohol.
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