Californians spend freely on Amazon.com before sales tax deadline

With Amazon set to begin collecting sales taxes on California purchases Sept. 15, many tech-savvy consumers are trying to cram in some last-minute tax-free shopping.

Depending on where they live, Californians pay 7.25% to 9.75% in sales taxes, so the savings are substantial — especially on big-ticket items such as electronics. But bargain hunters are also stocking up on inexpensive goods such as food, DVDs and carpet cleaner. Amazon won't say whether sales to California customers have spiked in recent weeks. But judging from comments on social media sites and reportedly increased buying activity in other states before similar sales tax laws went into effect, many shoppers see these final days as an excuse to shop freely. That could grow in the coming days as word spreads about the looming deadline, said Kerry Rice, an analyst at Needham & Co.