Where to Buy It.
(last updated 4/03)
The following businesses are our usual suppliers around town. Feel free to locate
other places if you think you can get a better deal. The directions below indicate their
current policies on tax-exempt purchases which, we warn you, change with mindnumbing frequency. Be prepared for aggravation.
Copies: Kinko’s
Where: Tennessee St. one block east of church.
It is best to charge the copies with your own credit card. Make sure to show them
the tax exempt form. If you submit the receipt and a requisition form to Pat, you should
be reimbursed in a week. Note that during the summer, there are periods when she is
away and checks will not be issued. Confirm that you can be reimbursed first. Pat’s email is
mailto:mpablud@juno
If you’re in a pinch, you can charge the copies to St. Thomas More account (make
sure they have the right church -- there’s a St. Thomas More in Sarasota that also has a
Kinko’s account.) Tax exemption is automatic with this account.
When they ask you for the “memo” note for the bill, be ready with budget
number. On the receipt write your name, what the purchase was for, and also write: “This
is not a bill.” File the receipt in Pat’s mailbox at the church along with a note of
explanation (ie. a really convincing excuse).
Office Supplies: Office Depot,
Where: Apalachee Parkway on the left before the Governor Square Mall (look
for Best Buy sign).
Check with front desk. Our customer I.D. # is 10767139. Make sure you can
make a tax exempt purchase. Ask their policy -- do you have to return to the front desk or
can you just go to a regular check out line? They may ask you for the church’s phone
number:
(850) 222-9630
They may also have you put down your name and title on a clipboard purchase record.
Under title, put for example: “CSU Secretary.”
Hardware: Lowe’s,
Where: Take Tennessee St. way out west past TCC to Capital Circle. Take a right
(north) on Capital Circle, and go to your third light. The entrance to Lowe’s is on your
left. If you go under I-10, you’ve gone too far.
In order to use tax-exempt, go to service desk and have them check to make sure
the St. Thomas More account for tax exemption is current and still valid. (Note: It is
valid, and make them look for it if they can’t find it. Under “St.” or under “Saint”. Oy,
the many hours I’ve spent at that desk convincing them that we are indeed registered.)
Get your stuff. Return to service desk to check out. You’ll still need to show them your
tax-exempt form.
General Items: WalMart,
Where: Tennessee St. west before Capital Circle
OR Thomasville Highway north past I-10, past Capital Circle
flyover ramp, left at light.
OR Super WalMart, Apalachee Parkway way out past Capital
Circle on your right.
You’ll need to obtain a WalMart tax exempt card the first time you make a
purchase for CSU. After that, you can use it at a regular check-out. Go to the customer
service desk (9 am to 5 pm only). Fill out a form using the info on your tax exempt card.
If the store manager is on-site, they can issue you the card on the spot. Don’t lose that
card. You’ll need it for all future purchases. I believe it is only effective at the one store.
Groceries, large quantities: Sam’s Club
Where: North Monroe past I-10 second light on your right.
If you don’t have a membership, foggettabouddit. Find a student who does and
bring them along. Sam’s only takes Discover cards and they are very picky about who
writes checks. They also don’t always have the best deals (despite appearances) so check
the unit prices before you buy that 200 box shrink wrapped Captain Crunch party pak. It
doesn’t hurt to call them ahead of time and make sure you’re purchasing plans will work.
Groceries, small quantities: Publix
Where: Any location is fine. If you’re only buying food there’s no tax on it. Go
ahead and make the purchase. If there’s an item you’re buying that’s likely to be taxed
(papergoods, charcoal, flowers, etc.), go to the customer service desk first and show them
your tax exempt card. They’ll tell you what to do from there. Note, Winn Dixie may be
cheaper, but their tax exemption process is excruciating. Don’t bother with them.
Photos: Eckerd’s Express
Where: High Rd. and Tennessee St.
Check for newspaper inserts by the front door which always have photo
discounts. Never do one-hour photo unless it’s an honest-to-gosh emergency. If you drop
the film off before 11 am, you’ll get it back after 3 pm the next day. Check the doublecopy box on the envelope. We use one set for posting and one set for publicity.
When you return, present the tax-exempt form before they ring it up.
For more information on making purchases, click on the Forms button