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Topic: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington? (Read 269 times) previous topic - next topic
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Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
We are parked at a COE campground on the Snake in Washington. The is a $24 a night park, which means $12 on the geezer card. BUT, the attendant said because Dorothy is handicapped, it was half off half-price or $6. We have used COE dozens of times in many states, but this is the first time we have encountered this. New policy?  Does she misunderstand the policy?

When we checked out at Costco, I was asked if I was a Washington resident. I said No, then she asked if I was an Oregon resident. I said I was from Alabama. We paid no sales tax. Again, another first.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #1 –
If you bought "groceries" at Costco, no WA sales tax. (Not sure how WA defines "groceries", though.)

Washington Sales Tax Rate - 2017

I think that the COE person may have been confused; AFAIK, to get a 50% discount on camping, one has to hold either a "senior pass" OR an "access pass". (Again, AFAIK, there's no additional discount over 50% off campsite fees.) Good deal, though.  ;)
 
https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/pdfs/discount-chart.pdf
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #2 –
I'm betting the COE person got it wrong. That said you obviously lead a charmed life. Keep an eye out for a financial windfall email from a friend in Nigeria.

Jim
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 

When we checked out at Costco, I was asked if I was a Washington resident. I said No, then she asked if I was an Oregon resident. I said I was from Alabama. We paid no sales tax. Again, another first.

Some folks in Washington misunderstand the no out of state sales tax issue.   The rule is if you, the buyer of taxable item,  plan to use the article or remove said article  out of the State of Washington there is no sales tax.   Its great you got the windfall tax wise.   <smile> I'm sure you'll report it to the Tax folks in  the State of Alabama.
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
 
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #4 –
What does COE stand for?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #6 –
Don M.

Lucky you, there in the State of Washington. If you haven't yet I'd advise you to run, not walk, to the nearest grocery and buy some of those Sweet Walla Walla Onions. The harvest started a week ago so they should be in the stores now. When I'm fortunate enough to lay my hands on them I'll cut a thick slice out of the middle, slather mayo on two slices of bread and enter hog heaven. Sooooo Good!   ;D

Down in Longview, WA there is a burger place that makes their onion rings with Walla Wallas... heaven on a plate.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
(Army) Corp. of Engineers

Larry


Thanks, Larry. I've not stayed at at COE park before so was not familiar with the acronym.  Nice to know there is another option and that the Senior/ Access passes can be used there.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 

I've not stayed at at COE park before so was not familiar with the acronym.  Nice to know there is another option and that the Senior/ Access passes can be used there.

If you turn over your Pass, it'll list all the places that the card can be used.

If you have an old Golden Age Pass, it will list the COE (I assume the Golden Access Passes do the same).  The newer Senior Passes don't list the COE because when the America the Beautiful law was passed, for some reason, the COE was left out.  However, most (all?) COE campgrounds honor the Golden Age/Senior passes.
Linda Hylton
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 

Down in Longview, WA there is a burger place that makes their onion rings with Walla Wallas... heaven on a plate.

If I may do a bit of off topic posting --- Burgerville A local Washington/Oregon fast food place also has Walla Walla Orion Rings on the menu when in season.  Yum X2
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Linda Hylton  - 
If you turn over your Pass, it'll list all the places that the card can be used.

If you have an old Golden Age Pass, it will list the COE (I assume the Golden Access Passes do the same).  The newer Senior Passes don't list the COE because when the America the Beautiful law was passed, for some reason, the COE was left out.  However, most (all?) COE campgrounds honor the Golden Age/Senior passes.


Thanks, Linda.  Who knew?   :)

I have an Access Pass due to military disability so I just checked the back of it. It lists: US Fish and Wildlife Service; Forest Service; BLM; National Park Service; Bureau of Reclamation.  No COE.  Think I can use it there also?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #11 –
Let me add one more thought about the Federal Senior Pass.  May I suggest both folks in a pair buy the pass.   Some National Parks like Wind Caves has tours that cost a few dollars.   The person with the Senior Pass will get a discount for said tours.  
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #12 –
Quote from: colddog  - 
Let me add one more thought about the Federal Senior Pass.  May I suggest both folks in a pair buy the pass.   Some National Parks like Wind Caves has tours that cost a few dollars.   The person with the Senior Pass will get a discount for said tours.  

Good point, only pass holders get discounts on tours.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #13 –
" Burgerville A local Washington/Oregon fast food place "

Yup, that's the one, love those onion rings.

It would be even nicer if they would honor my Geezer Card!   :D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #14 –
"buy some of those Sweet Walla Walla Onions."

The produce in Washington is a prime objective for me, but quite fortuitously, we have a steady supply of Walla Walla onions here in Arizona for the duration of the season - usually at about a buck a pound.  These are followed by the Texas Sweets, so we have several months of these gorgeous lovelies.  I don't care for raw onions, but the onion rings sound fantabulous.


   Virtual hugs,

   Judie
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #15 –
I JUST read the back of my son's Access Pass...USCOE is listed.   As well as the Bureau of Reclamation (among the others).  What type of places fall under the Bureau of Reclamation?
Rebecca in WA
2016 mid-bath
"Ramirez"
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #16 –
The Bureau of Reclamation is associated with the building of dams in the US, mostly in the West, so their camps will probably be pretty close to rivers and lakes.

Recreation | Bureau of Reclamation

If you're really bored, you can read about its history:

https://www.usbr.gov/history/2011NEWBRIEFHISTORY.pdf
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #17 –
HiLola,
     Thanks.   I did look it up before posting and saw dams.  But my thought was that you usually don't have to pay to see a dam.   I wasn't thinking camping.  (Quite a few of the National Parks that we've gotten into with our pass have not been campgrounds).   Thanks again.
Rebecca in WA
2016 mid-bath
"Ramirez"
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #18 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Thanks, Linda.  Who knew?   :)

I have an Access Pass due to military disability so I just checked the back of it. It lists: US Fish and Wildlife Service; Forest Service; BLM; National Park Service; Bureau of Reclamation.  No COE.  Think I can use it there also?

As I stated above, most, if not all, COE parks honor the Senior/Access passes.
Linda Hylton
Re: Half off half-price at COE park and no sales tax in Washington?
Reply #20 –
Quote from: Rebecca Winters  - 
HiLola,
     Thanks.   I did look it up before posting and saw dams.  But my thought was that you usually don't have to pay to see a dam.   I wasn't thinking camping.  (Quite a few of the National Parks that we've gotten into with our pass have not been campgrounds).   Thanks again.

The Senior and Access Passes offer free entry into federal lands that have an entrance fee (such as National Parks) and 1/2 price on some amenities, such as camping.  To read more information on all the passes available, go to America the Beautiful Passes (U.S. National Park Service)

I urge everyone who is eligible for a Senior pass, but who hasn't purchased one, to buy one SOON!  The price is scheduled to go up to $80 (from the current $10) at any time now.

I also agree that both people of a couple to buy one, if eligible, since 1/2 price on some amenities are available only to the card holder (such as cave tours, already mentioned).
Linda Hylton