Will PS2 use station cash?

[FIREk]

Originally Posted by Tasorin

I am wondering if our European brethren would be able to avoid the Value Added Tax by purchasing a Sony Station Cash card in the EU verses using the Station Portal and purchasing them digitally? If so I am sure the peoples of the EU would greatly appreciate not having to pay an additional tax to buy PS2 items.

I know that is one of the ways I get around paying local sales tax. I pick up items like this when I travel to states with no sales tax in order to avoid the additional 7-10% Washington Sales tax. Yes I am that petty, don't even get me started about any major purchases...

I don't know what the "Washington Sales tax" is or what you mean by "local sales tax" but I'm pretty sure you must pay you country's VAT (unless it's 0%) when making an online purchase, regardless of where the merchant is from.

[Tasorin]

Originally Posted by FIREk

I don't know what the "Washington Sales tax" is or what you mean by "local sales tax" but I'm pretty sure you must pay you country's VAT (unless it's 0%) when making an online purchase, regardless of where the merchant is from.

I am going to surmise you don't live in the US, and don't understand how State Sales tax and a VAT work in conjunction with the difference in Online vs. Brick and Mortal sales.

With physical Sony Cash Store cards available in the EU, those individuals in the EU wouldn't be limited to purchasing said Sony Cash via online transactions. Thereby being able to avoid the VAT by purchasing physical Sony Cash Store cards in there country in a brick and mortal physical store.

As for avoiding US State Sales Tax, it is quite the same issue. Washington has a State sales tax, Oregon the neighboring state does not. Like I pointed out in the original comment, when I travel to that State I purposely buy items I don't want to pay a 7-10% sales tax on if I were to purchase them in Washington.

We all level set now?

[FIREk]

Originally Posted by Tasorin

We all level set now?

Not quite - if I buy a physical Station Cash card in the EU, I will still pay the appropriate VAT. In my case (Poland) it's 23%. I wouldn't be "avoiding" any American taxes either, since they don't apply to me*. Bottom line, I would likely pay as much as you would have in WalMart or whatever other vendor, as SOE would likely fix the final price (with VAT), regardless of country.

Even if, hypothetically, I didn't have to pay VAT in local stores my country, which VAT would I "avoid" by buying in a local store, rather than online?

By the way, I see how you were shooting for a knowledgeable vibe in your post, but it's "brick and mortar". "Brick and Mortal" seems like a nice title for a teen slasher movie, or a gory beat-em-up game, though! :P

* - not directly, anyway. American taxes could make an impact on the final price of the Station Cash card, depending on the production and shipping costs by SOE, but they might as well find a European company that will print and distribute the cards for them.