The weekend marks the state’s eighth sales tax holiday in the past nine years.
As Deb Penzias look through hand-woven rugs, Sarah Penzias and Cindy Roberts, all of Northampton, look through a book of sample rugs at American Rug. They were shopping during the tax-free weekend.
HOLYOKE – Arthur T. Lichtenberger had been thinking about replacing a bedroom rug for years, but the sales tax holiday was what convinced him to finally make the purchase.
“That’s why we bought it. No question about it,” said Lichtenberger, of Westfield, after he completed his transaction at American Rug on Dwight Street on Saturday.
Lichtenberger picked out a new off-white carpet for the bedroom and new flooring for the basement, a total cost of $950, resulting in a savings of $60.
Saturday was the first day of the sales tax-free weekend, meaning that the state will not collect its 6.25 percent sales tax on most items. State sales tax will continue to be collected on restaurant meals, tobacco and single items that cost more than $2,500. The weekend marks the state’s eighth sales tax holiday in the past nine years.
President and owner William M. Radner, whose family started American Rug in 1905, said people were waiting for the store to open its doors at 9 a.m. Radner said he hopes the boost in business means that the rest of summer and fall will be busy.
“This is probably the best thing we’ve had for business in a little while,” Radner said. “People were excited about it.”
He said several customers “pre-shopped” making their decisions on what to buy earlier in the week and sealing the deal on Saturday to get the discount. He said he could tell that the discount was a factor in their decision because when he went into some homes to measure rooms for new carpeting, he encountered rugs that should have been replaced 10 years ago.
The only problem with the sales tax-free weekend, Radner said, is that the days following it “will be totally dead.”
Last year, Radner said he took advantage of the sales tax-free weekend by picking up a $600 iPad at the Apple store at Holyoke Mall at Ingleside, saving $37.
On Saturday, the Apple store was busy, with a long, but relatively quick-moving line. Darlene Fucci brought her daughter Mary Fucci to the store to buy a new $1,200 MacBook Pro, so she can use it during her freshman year at Holyoke Community College. They estimated they saved approximately $300, counting in the absence of sales tax and an educational discount that was offered.
“We were waiting for this weekend,” said Darlene Fucci, of Westfield.
Waiting in line with a friend was Thomas J. Nault, of Suffield, Conn. Nault said his friend was going to buy a new computer, and he said he was thinking about picking up a new television later at Costco.
“I’ll take any tax-free any day,” Nault said.
At Lorilil Jewelers at Tower Square in Springfield, Sonia Vivenzio, of Longmeadow, was picking out silver bracelets to give to her baby son’s godparents at his upcoming baptism. She said she expected to save a significant amount by not paying sales tax.
Victor Oundjian, Lorilil’s manager, said business had been steady all day.
“It was definitely a lot busier this year than in year’s past,” Oundjian said.