Emparus
It is up to EVGA to define the step up program as promotional, new card purchase, buy back or what ever. You can upgrade and save on an entire new card. Given the price brackets now it safes quite a bit and is a very nice program. You spend $500 instead of $2400 including tax. However, is 5-10% performance increase worth another $500?

AHowes
Basically the house always comes out ahead in the end.

mdhaus
As someone who understands tax law, this is what I'll say: EVGA does NOT need to be collecting full tax on the first sale, then an additional full tax on the Step-Up once the card is sent back in.  When they credit back the amount you paid for the first card, they are essentially allowing a "return" on the product....no different than what happens at any other store. And when that happens, it triggers a sales tax refund back to the customer.  There is absolutely nothing legally preventing EVGA from either refunding the tax paid (if you bought the card from them and they were the collector) and then charging the full amount on the Step-Up purchase...or holding on to the first payment and simply charging the difference needed to meet the tax requirement.  They are NOT dodging taxes by doing this, as when your "old" card later gets sold again, they will indeed be charging taxes on that transaction.
 
This is what other stores do all of the time.  At Best Buy, for example, they have a similar way for people to return items (such as hardware) and use the credit to similarly "step up" into a different model of the item.  When you return the item, you get a full credit - including the sales tax.  Why? Because they ring it up as a returned item and a "no sale." You then pay the full tax on the upgraded item.  And what happens when that item you returned is then sold again?  Best Buy collects the taxes on that purchase and everything is as it needs to be.

Emparus
Just got the step up notification and EVGA doesn't recognize the price I paid at Newegg for the 3090FTW3 ultra which was $1999 and only uses their own MSRP of $1919 in their calculations. Stinks again. Another $80. That brings the upgrade to almost $600 including shipping and insurance and the bogus TAX charge. It is better selling the card and to wait until I am up for a new one.

Emparus
They could just say use MSRP for the old card to calculate instead of all this.CALCULATING STEP-UP COSTSThey could say use MSRP for the old card to calculate instead of all this.
 
Simply put, the cost of EVGA Step-Up is the difference between what you paid for your original product and the new product listed at the EVGA Store. To calculate what you paid, follow these simple steps:

• Add line-item price
  • If you purchase a product as part of a Bundle or DIY from EVGA.com, you must subtract the discount applied to all items. See the above FAQ or example below for an explanation on how to determine the correct cost for a Bundle or DIY item.
• Do not include taxes.
• Do not include shipping.
• Subtract rebates from the line item-price.
  
• Subtract from MSRP as listed on EVGA.

Why did my price paid get changed during the approval process?
-
One of four reasons:

After reviewing the price paid on your invoice, the Step-Up department will adjust pricing based on your invoice.
If there was a rebate for your product, the Step-Up department will adjust pricing to reflect rebates.
*If the purchase price paid on your invoice (less any discounts) exceeds the MSRP of your product when you submit for a Step-Up, then the Price Paid for Product will be adjusted to match the product’s current MSRP.*
*Step-Up eligible products purchased through a Bundle or DIY are discounted based on the percentage off the MSRP to the Bundle or DIY price. Each item within the Bundle or DIY must be calculated using the same fixed percentage off the MSRP for every item.*

daisie345
It's possible that EVGA is collecting sales tax on funds they are not receiving, and this might not be in line with some states’ sales tax regulations. It's important to keep in mind that sales tax laws can be complex and can vary from state to state. If you are concerned about the sales tax calculation, it might be a good idea to reach out to EVGA customer support for clarification or to seek guidance from a tax professional you can check out . They may be able to provide you with more information and help you understand the sales tax calculation.

lastsamurairick
Is simple is not EVGA wanting this Taxes is IRS telling them is what EVGA has to charge by force to costumer is no brainer. Simple IRS regardless of feeling from anyone.

Nereus
 
Step up program no longer exists, so this is kind of moot now.
 
Lock thread imho.