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I don't support this idea, but a percentage-based tax may actually cause the opposite effect (from what you describe as your goal). A flat tax (fixed number of

by nickff 3y ago

I don't support this idea, but a percentage-based tax may actually cause the opposite effect (from what you describe as your goal). A flat tax (fixed number of dollars) is more likely to achieve your aims, and has actually been implemented with that result in the past. The example that comes to mind for me is the United Kingdom's flat tax on French wine (a long time ago).

lotsofpulp 3y ago
Why would a percentage based tax cause the opposite effect? A flat tax does not make sense to me. It would have the least effect on the most expensive items, which is what you want to be most repairable. The more expensive the product, the more repairable it should be.
- nickff 3y ago
  Flat taxes drive out the cheaper, lower quality items. Percentage taxes make the more expensive items even less affordable, and often drives people to lower quality items. https://thisdayinwinehistory.com/the-effects-of-british-tariffs-on-the-french-wine-industry-1700-1860/#_ftn3 https://thisdayinwinehistory.com/the-effects-of-british-tari...
  - lotsofpulp 3y ago
    Wine is not a relevant comparison in this situation, since it cannot be more repairable or have longevity compared to other wine. For a product you can use over and over and/or repair, a percentage tax would make it so buying the low quality version 5 times is more expensive than buying the high quality version 1 time. For example, right now I buy a pair of shoes every 6 months or so from Costco for $25/$30. With a 100% excise tax, these shoes would cost me $100 or more, and a higher quality pair of $100 shoes that lasts 2 years would interest me instead.
    - nickff 3y ago
      If you have any actual data to share, please do. That said, I am not inclined to discuss this on the basis of anecdotes and personal insights, especially because I think your aims are misguided. I write all of this while wearing ten-year-old boots which have been re-soled twice.

by nickff 3y ago

lotsofpulp 3y ago

Why would a percentage based tax cause the opposite effect? A flat tax does not make sense to me. It would have the least effect on the most expensive items, which is what you want to be most repairable. The more expensive the product, the more repairable it should be.

nickff 3y ago
Flat taxes drive out the cheaper, lower quality items. Percentage taxes make the more expensive items even less affordable, and often drives people to lower quality items. https://thisdayinwinehistory.com/the-effects-of-british-tariffs-on-the-french-wine-industry-1700-1860/#_ftn3 https://thisdayinwinehistory.com/the-effects-of-british-tari...
- lotsofpulp 3y ago
  Wine is not a relevant comparison in this situation, since it cannot be more repairable or have longevity compared to other wine. For a product you can use over and over and/or repair, a percentage tax would make it so buying the low quality version 5 times is more expensive than buying the high quality version 1 time. For example, right now I buy a pair of shoes every 6 months or so from Costco for $25/$30. With a 100% excise tax, these shoes would cost me $100 or more, and a higher quality pair of $100 shoes that lasts 2 years would interest me instead.
  - nickff 3y ago
    If you have any actual data to share, please do. That said, I am not inclined to discuss this on the basis of anecdotes and personal insights, especially because I think your aims are misguided. I write all of this while wearing ten-year-old boots which have been re-soled twice.