Snowed-in JAVA & Co. Online Sale!

EXPO-that-we-are-unable-to-attend-due-to-an-approaching-winter-storm-and-travel-so-we're-maintaining-a-positive-attitude-and-having-an-online-SALE-instead #soontobeburiedinsnow

Due to another anticipated winter storm (they are now saying TWO winter storms this weekend) scheduled from Friday through Sunday (expo weekend), JAVA & Co. has made the difficult decision NOT to attend this weekend's Illinois Products Expo 2014 in Springfield, Illinois. We are very disappointed and look forward to this event every year.

Brian and I wanted to offer a website promotion - especially for all of our wonderful customers that come out and see us this weekend - each and every year. We will miss you seeing you again. If you must drive this weekend, please be safe!

From today through Sunday, March 2nd - Use Promo Code EXPO14 to save online at www.javaandco.com.

For a limited time save 20% off of your qualifying retail purchase made online at www.javaandco.com. Use promo code EXPO14 at checkout. Share the promo code and pray for spring!

Brian and Jamie Knoll
Owners & Founders

Offer Details: No Cash Value. Not Valid on Prior Purchases. Valid on In-stock Items Only. May Not be Combined with Other Discounts.

Customers and Micro Businesses - Walking Hand in Hand

JAVA & Co. attended our annual Thanksgiving Market in Bloomington, Illinois this past weekend.  Since Brian and I began going to the outdoor market in Bloomington, the Thanksgiving Market has become an annual event.  We wouldn't miss it. 

 

Sitting here, in my home office, writing this blog entry, I'm overflowing with thankfulness (if that's a word, if not, I like it) for our customers, our colleagues and fellow small businesses.  We may have launched JAVA & Co. with a dream, a passion and a recipe, but we know we wouldn't still be 'cooking' and 'baking' if it weren't for the wonderful supportive people along the way - sharing ideas, tips, feedback and humor!

 

I'm reminded that the majority of BIG business did not go from zero to sixty in 7 seconds, but built from the ground up and were once, not just small businesses but rather, micro businesses like JAVA & Co. is today.  And today, for 2013, for JAVA & Co., for Brian and I, it's hard to consider trading the closeness of our micro business for something bigger.  We've been in corporate.  We've managed teams.  Nothing compares with the rewarding relationships that we have developed with our supportive customers.  Brian and I have something that many CEO's and Presidents miss out on - a direct line with our guests. 

 

It makes us want to work harder; and month after month - provide an even better product; and something new for them to try. 

 

They make us more creative.

They make us better.

They make JAVA & Co. better.

We are SO thankful.

 

Thank you!

 

Wishing you blessings this holiday season!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Brian & Jamie Knoll

JAVA & Co.'s Website is on the Move...

Today we began the process of moving our website.  The domain URL will be the same - www.javaandco.com, but our website design and options will be completely different.  

Do not be alarmed if the website is down for  up to 48 hours - this is completely normal and expected with a website redirect.  You may wonder why we chose the busiest time of year for the move.  It is quite simple - the additional customer and checkout options were too good not to do this in time for the upcoming busy holiday season.  Rest assured, we tested all in the new website before finalizing the move and the functionality was 'spot on'.

During this time, if you have any questions or order requests, please email us at javaandco@live.com!

Thank you for your patience during this transition.  It will be worth the wait, we promise!

Owners & Founders,
Brian & Jamie Knoll

The Marketplace Fairness Act 2013 - We Can & Should Do Better!

JAVA & Co. is a small business - owned and operated by a husband and wife team.  The Marketplace Fairness Act before congress, if passed, would create quite the accounting and sales tax research burden for online small businesses.  And the truth is, if businesses' costs go up, then eventually the prices go up.  The consumer pays more and nobody wins.  At the same time, we completely understand the notion of leveling the playing field.  At the end of the day, online sales tax for all transactions is inevitable.  As a small business, we propose the following simple, fair and just proposal:
 
PROPOSAL:  "Each online store collects the sales tax percentage for the online store's physical location for ALL online transactions." Period.

RECAP: This WOULD even the playing field for brick and mortar and online stores.  Brick and mortar store customers may vacation from outlying states, but the customers pay the appropriate local sales tax of their purchases.  No one is exempt.  Online should be treated the same way.  If you are in Texas and make a purchase online from an Illinois online store, Texans pay the applicable Illinois sales tax rate.  If you are a Texan and physically visit Illinois, you pay the applicable Illinois sales tax rate.  Fair.  Simple.  The idea / reality that 'tourists' are helping to increase state revenues through sales tax.  These 'tourists' just happen to be purchasing online vs. purchasing in person at a gift shop in Chicago (for example).

BENEFITS:

Simple Accounting: Sales tax is collected by online businesses for their local jurisdiction and reported like any other sales transaction - local or out of state - the online business only pays their sales tax rate due on all transactions.  (No need to figure and research every state, county and local sales tax for the 50 states - Let's be honest, THAT would be a nightmare).

State Tax Revenue:  Sales tax revenue collected by online businesses within the states would increase due to sales tax now collected on purchases from those customers residing out of state.

States:  State governments would be encouraged (due to the financial tax potential) to create a thriving business environment to foster online and small business.  Everyone wins!

Business:  Simplified accounting equals less financial burden.  Every customer pays the businesses' local sales tax.  

State Residents:  No longer have to 'track' online purchases and pay their state USE TAX each year.  Their online purchases would already reflect and include the sales tax from the state from which they are purchasing.  PLUS, state residents will benefit from the additional tax revenues generated for their OWN state through their local online businesses now collecting revenue from out of state purchasers. 

WHY can't online stores be treated like brick and mortar stores.  Brick and mortar stores are right.  Online stores should collect and pay their fair share.  It's the definition of fair in the current Act before congress that needs adjusting.  A brick and mortar store isn't required to ask each visiting customer where they are from and charge and collect sales tax according to their customer's home state.  That would be cumbersome.  Online stores should be held to the same standard, but no more than that.  You buy from our businesses in Illinois.  You pay Illinois sales tax.  Fair.  Just.  Simple accounting.

And there you go... my two cents...

Jamie Knoll

Concerned Small Business Owner - Illinois USA

JAVA & Co.
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