But It's Cash

 One thing that I've learned going to like the Gem fairs and such is that it's nice to carry cash around. 

Because if you have cash, most of the stalls don't charge you a tax for what you're purchasing. 

If it says $15 you can hand them $15 in cash and be done with it.

Of course there's always those stalls that calculate the tax even if you have cash. But they're more rare. Like one or two in the entire event. 

So for the most part when I go to the Gem Fairs I try to pull out enough cash beforehand for my purchases and unless I go crazy buying rocks (which I have before) avoid using my cards to pay for things.

Today was slightly different. 

In that I actually had a Saturday off. 

And so I decided to go check out a Farmer's Market that my sibling was participating in. You know. Go support and such. 

Ended up being a much larger market than I expected...mostly because it was "Shop Days"? This weekend apparently. So there was thrice as many vendors and a bunch of other activities and programs going on at the same time.

Regardless after visiting my sibling I went to venture about and check out to see what the local vendors were selling. As I had pulled out some cash with the intent to maybe spend some today if I found anything unique. And avoid using my cards once more. 

Mostly to keep myself to a budget as the gem fair itself is coming again in a couple of weeks. Because I'd much rather spend money on my rocks lol. 

In any case.

While wandering about I found a shop that had some cool pictures. Where the artist had layered cut out pieces of paper on top of each other to create designs. And also stated that a portion of their proceeds goes to help the bees.

Which yay helping the bees!

Problem was that I had 3 pictures I wanted to get....but not enough cash to get all of them. I was about $20 short. 

But I was like "Hey, would you be willing to sell me these three frames for $$$?" because it doesn't hurt to ask and oftentimes people will give a slight discount if you're bundling multiple things together. 

Which the artist was like sure!

And I'm like "Cool! Because that's all I have in cash." 

And they were like "Really? What about the sales tax?" 

...

....

.....

???

I'm sorry. What?

Sales tax?

I'm paying in CASH.

That means it's just the flat fee! No tax!

*exhales*

Not to this seller. 

Like seriously I was like "Usually if people pay in cash they don't charge tax." 

And they were like "Well, they shouldn't be doing it that way!" 

Like literally EVERY SINGLE PLACE I BOUGHT OTHER THINGS FROM DID NOT CHARGE ME TAX when I paid WITH CASH there at the farmer's market..

Because how is the government gonna know if you charged tax or not? How are they gonna know if you sold anything or not when it comes to cash? They can't TRACK that. Not when it comes to a tiny farmer's market. Who knows what's exchanged where?

*shakes head*

But this artist insisted that I pay the sales tax. 

*exhales*

LUCKILY I had a little bit of extra change on me. 

Because it ended up being another $8 for the sales tax. *rolls eyes* 

But hey. Still ended up getting all 3 pictures for less than the original price. So I can't complain too much.

But still. 

It was slightly irksome.

I mean I have encountered it a couple of times at the gem fair while paying with cash.

But I do have to wonder if it's was a difference in .... generations? Like the artist was more my grandparent aged. So it may be just a boomer mentality.

I didn't buy from any other shops with older people so I don't have other data to compare it to.

But yah.

Was rather random that the artist insisted on the tax.

But you do you artist.

Until you next find these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi