Model Train Stuff under Factory Direct Hobbies

Sounds to me like a smoke and mirrors show given all the Harrod's bs.

Gunny

I got an email from Model Train Stuff/Factory Direct Hobbies that appears to have gone out to the MTS customers mailing list.  It was signed by Joe Grubba and, among other  things, said that they were welcoming back John Weigel as MTS's Customer Service Manager and that they were looking to bring back other previous team members.

I wish them well and I hope they succeed.  I have had many memorable and good experiences with M. B. Klein and Model Train Stuff starting with when I visited the M. B. Klein store in downtown Baltimore during the pre-Christmas rush way back when.

@gunny posted:

Sounds to me like a smoke and mirrors show given all the Harrod's bs.

Gunny

What does this even mean? Smoke and mirrors indicates deception. What's the deception? A company headquartered outside the country made a rash and apparently stupid acquisition, and now another US-based company is picking up the pieces.

@gunny posted:

Sounds to me like a smoke and mirrors show given all the Harrod's bs.

Gunny

It's Hatton's, which was a long standing and respected British company.  After deaths and retirements, the family chose to wind down in an orderly fashion, unlike a certain major US train maker.  What is BS about it?

I hope the new company is not headquartered in the state of Maryland, then I won’t have to pay the 6% Maryland sales tax.

I am a Maryland resident.

@Craignor posted:

I hope the new company is not headquartered in the state of Maryland, then I won’t have to pay the 6% Maryland sales tax.

I am a Maryland resident.

I hear you, Craig, but as a fellow Maryland resident, I'd gladly pay the tax if I can get free curbside, same-day pickup and avoid shipping!

On the reopening notice, I noted they have hired or are courting several M.B. Klein/Model Train Stuff former employees, which gives me some hope that they will also reopen the Maryland warehouse (or an alternate local site) since they seem to be prioritizing recruiting their Maryland former staff (a smart move, IMHO!).

@Craignor posted:

I hope the new company is not headquartered in the state of Maryland, then I won’t have to pay the 6% Maryland sales tax.

I am a Maryland resident.

You'd still have to pay it, just as you have to with Mr. Muffin and any number of retailers. If the retailer isn't collecting it, you're theoretically supposed to pay it yourself. I know that's typically a long-shot, but I got a sales tax bill late last year from the Comptroller's office for a set of headlights for an Audi I bought from Latvia in 2021. Apparently they found out about the purchase from customs reports. Point is, just because it wasn't collected at time of sale doesn't mean it won't be later, and most sellers of a particular volume are collecting it now, anyway.

@Andrew B. posted:

You'd still have to pay it, just as you have to with Mr. Muffin and any number of retailers. If the retailer isn't collecting it, you're theoretically supposed to pay it yourself. I know that's typically a long-shot, but I got a sales tax bill late last year from the Comptroller's office for a set of headlights for an Audi I bought from Latvia in 2021. Apparently they found out about the purchase from customs reports. Point is, just because it wasn't collected at time of sale doesn't mean it won't be later, and most sellers of a particular volume are collecting it now, anyway.

Yep -- Maryland, like most if not all states, has a "use tax" provision that imposes a tax at the same rate as sales tax on out-of-state purchases, and further requires the filing of a use tax form with your annual income taxes for such out-of-state purchases. IRL, most ignore it, unless/until something is brought to the state taxing authorities' attention. like it was via your customs report. You are right, though -- almost all on-line vendors now routinely collect sales (use) tax at the local rate on *all* purchases.

Death and taxes . . . am I right, or what?