Comments on: Study finds Mexican shoppers outspend Americans at outlet malls

By: Brete

Brete — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:57:48 +0000

If you don’t like tax refunds to international customers, talk to your congressman. It’s the federal government that has for years prophibited charging sales tax for sales that end up out of the US.

By: Intrepid

Intrepid — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:53:01 +0000

The State did everything possible to make Texas citizens pay sales taxes for online Amazon.com purchases but they are perfectly OK with refunding sales tax to Mexican citizens who buy products at a brick and mortar store in Texas.

Makes no sense to me.

By: Tarl

Tarl — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 01:37:15 +0000

Everywhere I’ve traveled in the world, merchants, hotels, car rental businesses and restaurants have always been happy to charge me a full slate of local and value added taxes. I expect it, and so should visitors to the US.

Those taxes should be collected in full and not refunded. Period.

By: Dano

Dano — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:39:01 +0000

The study addresses holiday shopping and only on a per capita basis, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Mexican Nationals outspend US shoppers at the outlets in aggregate as well.

I know on the rare occasion that I venture into the hell that is the outlet mall, I’m always shocked to see the ratio of Mexican license plates to US ones. There are ALWAYS a ton of Mexican Nationals at the outlet mall. I’ve seen vans stuffed to the gills with clothing, presumably to be taken back to Mexico and resold. I’ve stood behind people in stores with $5,000 purchases (talk about a LONG receipt). And I’ve seen families of eight, each one loaded down with so many bags they can barely carry them.

I’m all for them coming up here and leaving their money behind. Hopefully some of them stay a day or two and boost our hotel business as well.

I don’t agree with the policy of refunding their sales tax to them before they leave, though. In my limited understanding, I think they do that under federal rules, with the premise being that the USA has no right to tax non-citizens?

By: Ted Marchut

Ted Marchut — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:38:50 +0000

Not sure they’re shopping for the savings. Maybe they are. Our Outlet Malls have been named one of the “top shopping destinations” in the world in at least a couple of stories. They may just be shopping for the variety. I’ve seen a Maserati out there, with tags from Mexico. I am guessing the owner isn’t a big discount shopper.

By: Tarl

Tarl — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 22:55:45 +0000

Wow. These folks are spending a ton of money. You’d think the expense of gas, lodging and meals would erode much if not erase the savings realized by shopping at outlets, but hey, that’s not our problem.

By: jmo

jmo — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 22:30:28 +0000

Dont give them their tax money back ! They use our roads just like we do ! And make sure they go back !

By: Joe De La Cerda

Joe De La Cerda — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:17:46 +0000

Excellent! Exports are good and adding more outside money to the local economy is a positive thing. I see nothing but good news here.

By: Zach Narvaez

Zach Narvaez — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:08:37 +0000

SECURE THE BORDER!