I'm comparing apples to apples, you're not....Pricing isn't the only reason people choose to shop online or at a brick-and-mortar store...I have recent first-hand experience.Since when did taxation become about fairness?
Seems to me you're reframing "when you spread the wealth around...."
You're making the argument.
The argument that is isn't fair to small online retailers because the big online retailers can absorb the costs of accounting...
I am expanding that exact same argument, but contrasting it against the comparison of the small online business versus the small brick and mortar business.
I had to replace the foot controller for the trolling motor on my boat...The retailer for that item is in Minneapolis, 2 1/2 hours away....However I was going into town the next day and compared the time and effort it would've taken to go to the store and pick it up + sales tax, versus the shipping charge that was clearly more than what I'd have paid in tax...Having the item shipped made more sense to me, as I would have had to drive 20 miles out of my way to pick it up in person, even though I could've saved a few bucks.
The question is, is you had to pay shipping AND sales tax, would it been worth your while?
Or, let's take it one step further.
Hypothetically, let's reverse the advantage...let's imagine that at the brick and mortar store you didn't have to pay sales tax.
Would it then have been worthwhile?