Businesses getting ready for Massachusetts tax-free weekend

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - It’s the weekend many in the state have been waiting for. There will be tax-free shopping Saturday and Sunday and many local businesses are preparing for a rush of customers to take advantage of the savings.

No sales tax will be charged on most items under $2,500 this weekend, so you could save hundreds on big-ticket items, like a couch or a Macbook.

“Furniture is a process, so we kind of don’t like to rush people,” said Sam Stauder with Fly by Night Furniture in Northampton.

Stauder told Western Mass News that people have been coming in all week looking for new furniture to get in on the savings by picking out what they want ahead of the tax-free holiday in Massachusetts this weekend.

“People come in, kind of look through what they’re thinking about, talk to us ‘cause the weekend gets too busy for us to properly give the service we like to give people,” Stauder explained.

This way, their orders are ready for payment and pickup, sales tax free, this weekend. Stauder told Western Mass News that the amount of business they get in those two days will be about two months’ worth, but the supply and demand could have people waiting.

“It’s not a grab and go. It’s an order and wait sort of thing, usually. We have to deliver furniture. We have to bring in furniture from manufacturers to deliver, so we end up dealing with it for the next eight to nine months,” Stauder added.

Over at Yes Computers in Northampton, they’re also getting ready for a big weekend.

“A lot more than our usual traffic. A lot of people want to take advantage of the tax-free,” said Kyle Elliott with Yes Computers.

The sales staff has been busy.

“We’re doing preorders right now. It starts tomorrow, Saturday. We’re just getting people some Macbooks,” Elliott added.

Elliott had some advice for anyone wanting to take advantage of paying no sales tax on a Macbook or an iPad, but want to avoid the lines.

“Actually, the best way is to call us directly And we can take an order over the phone and it will be ready for you whenever you come pick it up,” Elliott noted.

Some things, however, will remain taxable including meals, cars, boats, gas, electricty, alcoholic beverages, and marijuana or marijuana products.

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