tater - I happen to use Amazon.com occasionally, but I've found for most books I'm interested in, I can get them cheaper by having Bookworld order them than paying the discounted Amazon price AND the shipping. I kind of use Amazon the reverse of how people use Best Buy. I check out the excerpts and reviews online and then order the book locally.

To be fair to Steve, he's not hurting tax revenues if he does what every Wisconsin resident is supposed to do - track their Internet purchases and pay the state what they would have collected per Wisconsin Income Tax forms (line 13 of my 2011 WI-Z tax form: Sales and use tax due on Internet, mail order, or other out-of-state purchases; with a check box if you are certifying, under penalties of law, that no sales or use tax is due.

(Line 13 of Form WI-Z)
Sales and Use Tax Due on Internet, Mail Order, or Other Out-of-State Purchases

Did you make any taxable purchases from out-of-state firms during 2011 on which sales and use tax was
not charged? If yes, you must report Wisconsin sales and use tax on these purchases on line 26 (line 13 of
Form WI‑Z) if they were stored, used, or consumed in Wisconsin. You must also report sales and use tax on
taxable purchases from a retailer located in another country regardless of whether you were charged any tax
for that country or any duty by the U.S. Customs Service.

Taxable purchases include furniture, carpet, clothing, computers, books, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, video tapes,
certain digital goods (e.g., greeting cards, video games, music, and books, transferred electronically), artwork,
antiques, jewelry, coins purchased for more than face value, etc.

Exactly tater!

Sad to hear, Steve, that you’ve abandoned the support of local stores in favor of the giants that are so instrumental in destroying local economies and changing the look of hometowns across the nation. I must say, that your comments surprised me; it seems that you championed local economy in the past. Amazon hurts everyone twice: they take away sales from the local economy (and take away local re-investment as already has been pointed out), and they are also able to skirt collecting sales tax which kills the state’s coffers. Thanks for your support!

brick and mortar?
Bookworld http://www.gazlo.com/marketplace/janesvi...
Dam Road Gun Shop http://damroadgunshop.net/

Online?
Buffalo Arms http://www.buffaloarms.com/
River Junction http://www.riverjunction.com/
Cheaper Than Dirt http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/
Sportsman's Guide http://www.sportsmansguide.com/

Oh... gifts for others?
The Dollar Store http://www.dollartree.com/

I ordered more from Amazon this year than I ever have. Between the free shipping on some days and lower prices everyday, it was my best bet.

I did, however, get a few things from some local shops in town, even though the prices were a bit higher.

Mr. Community buys from Amazon? Steve, I buy all my gifts locally just like they tell you to do on WCLO. Did you know that 80% of your local purchase dollars go back into the community? Where does your money go when you send it off to Amazon.com? Probably Florida I think.

Mostly online because local stores didn't carry what I wanted and carried limited U.S. made items.

I'll leave it up to Santa .

Local small stores/family owned if possible.

My shopping is done wherever I find the right gift. I only have one rule about gifts....I NEVER ask someone what they want for christmas. I think about the person and buy something I think they will enjoy. Most times, I don't go looking for a particular gift, but instead, stumble across a great gift in my travels.

And online purchases --- 0% of revenue to your local economy.

"A new study by Civic Economics

The study for Louisville found that independent stores recirculate 55.2% of revenues compared to 13.6% for big retailers, and that local restaurants recirculate 67%, while big chains do 30.4%"......source: Fast Company, 11/28/12

Raven's wish has a lot of fun stuff. I did a mix some online most in town.

Just think of the disaster our local economy would have if everyone shopped online.

Steve, if you are looking for a gift from a local Artisan, I hope you are going to stop at the Cottage Garden Gallery at Rotary Botanical Gardens. They have a great selection and you will also be supporting the mission of the gardens.