Consumers buy big before sales tax hike

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Tencati's are remodeling their kitchen and felt this was the perfect time to buy.

"We needed to get all new appliances for it and I new the tax is going up tomorrow so we wanted to get in today while it's still 5 percent," said Jennifer Tencati of Feeding Hills.

Manny's TV and Appliances in West Springfield has seen a wave of customers like the Tencati's, trying to squeeze some savings prior to the state sales tax hike of 25-percent in effect Saturday August 1st.

The tax jumps from 5 to 6 and a quarter percent.

"At this point, I'd say we've probably done a month's worth of business in just this last week and a half," said Store Manager George Rodriguez.

But for some shoppers here, the tax hike makes no difference.

"It doesn't factor in to be honest. It's not enough," said Bob Fyhr of Westfield.

The state though, hopes it's enough to stave off even deeper budget cuts.

This tax increase has become an issue in next year's governor's race with Republican candidate Charles Baker pledging to try to roll it back if elected.