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Not all parents wait for sales tax holiday to do their school shopping
7/19/2008 10:42 PM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend



By ROB NOVIT

Senior writer

The annual school sales tax holiday arrives in South Carolina on Aug. 1, but Charlotte Hill probably won't be found in Aiken County stores, at least not shopping for school stuff.

"I'm done with school shopping," she said firmly. "We finished last week. It was like, 'Let's get it done,' and it's worth it with three kids."

Other moms had a variety of opinions about the sales tax holiday, which exempts a large list of school supplies from the ever-growing sales tax. The holiday will come earlier this year, starting Friday, Aug. 1 just after midnight and running through Sunday, Aug. 3 at midnight.

"We've been extremely busy with back-to-school sales, such as clothes and regular school supplies," said Target's Terrill Fuller, an executive team leader. "The sales have exceeded those of last year. That's encouraging, but the tax-free holiday will still be major for us."

Susan Clune typically goes shopping the first week in August. With the holiday arriving earlier than usual, she'll probably take daughter Chelsea and son Matthew to stores within the next week.

"Usually we try to avoid the holiday because of the crowds," said Clune. "It's just not worth the hassle."

Business at Belks has been good, but the store does expect most shoppers to come in during the holiday, a spokesperson said. Belks plans to extend its hours that weekend.

Lakin Godwin, a Midland Valley High School sophomore, said she hopes to get some serious shopping done soon before the holiday. Some considerations make the timing essential.

"Everything has to match," she said, with a smile. "The clothes, even the school supplies."

Jance Moment was shopping Saturday, but not for school supplies for her two older sons. Waiting for the sales tax event "is worth it," she said. "It helps out a lot."

Staples sales manager Beverly Smith said the store has been running advertisements for its school items sales. The response has been good from families, as well as from teachers getting their classrooms ready.

"We anticipate that sales will escalate each week until school starts," Smith said. "After the holiday, there are still a lot of people who have been out of town and will get their supplies then."

Teresa and Bobby Gillespie of North Augusta were shopping with older sons John and Robert and their toddler, Thatcher, on Saturday. A teacher at Merriwether Elementary School, Teresa picked up a few items for herself.

"But the sales tax holiday is the best time for shopping for everything (the boys) need for school," she said. "As far as the crowds, we do it at Christmas and other times. Why not now?"

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.





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