Like Dryheat says,varies from state to state.In my case i live in Oregon and we dont pay sales tax here and had no dealer.Had to buy from cali dealer.He trailered to Oregon and i took delivery no tax had to do paper work at notary in Oregon to cover there butt.They did sneek in a cali tire tax wasnt much didnt argue. Out of state delivery is pretty common Feel sorry for you Dryheat that you had to pay cali sales tax,that must have been a bundle.Lamonster thats a real strange one you got going on.Ask owner or manager to cover that ticket as stated before.