Amazon has closed all North Carolina associates accounts effective today. Amazon has taken this action in anticipation of the North Carolina General Assembly's budget bill, which may or may not contain a provision to try to collect sales tax from those who have bought items via click-throughs from Amazon associates in North Carolina, and which may or may not be passed today or at some point closer to September if North Carolina history is to be a guide.
I linked to Amazon prior to signing on as an associate simply because it seemed THE easiest way for readers to obtain the necessary info on a book--from ISBN to publishing date to an array of reader and professional reviews--no matter how they intended to obtain a book I'd mentioned that they wished to read, but I'm going to be rethinking that practice in the coming days.
Thank you to all of you who have purchased items through click-throughs here on the site. In addition to providing me with a bit of extra money to spend on books myself, I have enjoyed getting a glimpse at the other items people have ordered--from oatmeal to exercise bikes--and I was particularly amused when someone bought Montana Gothic for a penny (remember, this was a book I warned people about) and then returned it for a full refund.
Edited to add: Amazon cuts off North Carolina commissions
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Wow, that's unfortunate. Too bad legislators aren't working harder to close the loopholes for corporations and millionaires! Is the closure a matter of Amazon not being technically able to collect the tax or is it a protest? I hope they can work it out and you can get back to free books!
ReplyDeleteAmazon is using North Carolina (and Hawaii) as pawns since there are larger states that are considering the same type of tax law.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, that is crazy. I'm sorry this is affecting you. I am curious if other affiliate programs (IndieBound for example) are also doing the same thing as Amazon?
ReplyDeleteI would think they'd be effected by the laws if they pass, but I haven't heard of any other company preemptively closing down their associates.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this--it totally sucks. I wonder what other states are contemplating doing this--I'll have to look into it now. B&N collects tax due to having stores locally, which they didn't used to do (collect tax that is), but oh well. There's no respite from it all, is there.
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to see this. I wouldn't be surprised if they quit in all states, but I hope they won't.
ReplyDeleteFor a year now I've been linking the ISBNs on my books read list to the book's main entry on LibraryThing. So, that's a possible alternative (which links to Amazon and other retail sites for reviews, etc.). I know you're on LT because you're the one who convinced me to sign up, way back when! ;)
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing well, by the way.
I don't fully understand the Amazon Associate thing, although I am one. I received a confusing email and am now not sure whether the program still exists for Californians.
ReplyDelete