I agree that the radical conservation groups certainly don’t help but do you really think that if the oil companies wanted to build a new refinery they couldn’t? Don’t you think it is a good excuse for them not to so they they can
raise prices…? JC, I think it would be wonderful if companies did as they should as your first post puts it so well…But I’m afraid they don’t or at least the majority of them don’t. But to get back to the excise tax. Dropping the amount of excise tax is not the same as say for instance giving a company a 5 year tax break to move into an area and establish themselves creating new jobs in that locality. The excise tax, regardless of at what stage it is exacted is eventually truly paid by the consumer. If that tax is lowered or removed the final price of each item mfg’d after that tax removal was instituted should be passed on. If it is not then that company should have to prove how that money was used beyond and above what they normaly would be allocating for research , expansion, and rhe creation of new jobs. We will never have a perfect world and I guess that we have all gotten so use to having it put to us that we just accept it as business as usual.
I keep saying that none of this type of stuff should affect me because I have everything I need.
Everyone who knows me predicts that I will out live my money, which in one aspect is a pleasant thought… “How long before that happens?” I ask these seers," thinking how nice it would be to have a guaranteed stretch of living ahead. When the heck is enough stuff enough stuff?
A correction. My first example was incorrect, the tax is based on the wholesale value so the rod price should come down around $20-$25 depending on what kind a deal the retailer has with the company.
I agree with JC that some custom builders don’t pay the tax, many don’t know the tax exists. How many of you folks who sell an old rod charge and pay sales tax?.. When I sell a custom rod I make sure the buyer knows an excise tax as well as state sales tax is added to the invoice. One thing I learned from my (real job) business is to be up front about state and fed. taxes and keep a paper trail to cover my butt.
I think barring competion most companies will not lower the price, if people are willing to pay the listed retail price they won’t mess with a good thing at least in the high end rods.
Because of high fuel prices and the preceived high cost of heating this winter I have seen a 70% drop in sales in my business. I think non essentials like fishing rods will be hurting with or without a price drop in the coming months… FB.