Post by: Raym on May 24, 2018, 02:10:58 PM
GST is coming for low value imports – understand what it means for you when using ShopMate
Hi Ray,
The Australian Government has passed laws which extend the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to low value imports of physical goods.
This change will mean that from 1 July 2018, Australia Post will be required to collect GST from you on items valued at $1,000AUD or less that you ship into Australia using ShopMate, and pay that GST to the Australian Tax Office (ATO). The rate of GST is 10%.
The existing processes to collect GST on imports with values above $1,000AUD will remain the same.
Find out more
GST will be payable on:
1.The value of the item(s) you are shipping into Australia via ShopMate including any shipping fees or local taxes paid to the USA retailer, and
2.The value of the ShopMate shipping and service fee (including Extra Cover if applicable)
From 1 July 2018, each time you check out a ShopMate parcel and declare the value of the goods, you will be asked to provide payment for your ShopMate shipping and the applicable GST all in the same transaction.
What you need to do:
Within 48 hours of providing payment for each ShopMate transaction you will need to email Australia Post the invoice you receive from your USA retailer.*
How to email us your invoice:
1.Simply email a copy of your USA retailer invoice to ShopMateInvoice@auspost.com.au
2.Include your first and last name and ShopMate Suite Number in the email subject line ?Your suite number is the second address line of your ShopMate USA address
?e.g. Subject line: John Smith, Suite SM-2364-5833
Post by: loanrangie on May 24, 2018, 07:51:54 PM
Post by: Fizzie on May 25, 2018, 01:28:39 PM
We don't pay GST on stamps or inside-Oz courier costs (I don't think ???), so why would we have to pay it on international goods ???
Real can of worms someone is opening up here :'(
BiL's two sons are currently living in Germany & Canada - they send Mum & Dad presents for birthday / Chrissie then Mum & Dad are liable for paying GST on delivery costs of their presents ??? :o, & who calculates the value of the item, as their won't be an invoice included ::)
Post by: corndog on May 25, 2018, 02:18:40 PM
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on May 25, 2018, 02:32:36 PM
Not sure on this but I'll throw it in. What happens if you pay sales tax from the country you buy it from, then pay tax when it comes into the country. Your paying tax on tax.That's right, the ATO don't care that much.
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on May 25, 2018, 06:48:36 PM
What happens when you have something that's delivered by Courier.
Doesn't come through the Post Office at all.
Does the Courier have to collect GST before they hand over your goods.
I can't see the Courier Companies hanging on to stuff till you pay.
Not when they're so willing to leave Items on your front Steps in plain sight.
Ready for any one to walk off with, before you get back home.
None of the Courier Companies will want a bar of it.
Post by: duggie on May 25, 2018, 07:06:39 PM
As these goods and the service required ( package and posting ) has been done off shore , how does a GST get added ? The sender has paid the cost for the service component (postage) and in some cases we the buyer have already paid a tax on the goods .
Post by: corndog on May 25, 2018, 07:22:14 PM
Post by: Fizzie on May 26, 2018, 09:30:21 AM
Post by: tryagain on May 26, 2018, 12:49:43 PM
Post by: Bird on May 31, 2018, 12:23:53 PM
Amazon to block its US website for Aussie shoppers over new GST rules
https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/amazon-to-block-its-us-website-for-aussie-shoppers-over-new-gst-rules-20180531-p4zikr.html (https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/amazon-to-block-its-us-website-for-aussie-shoppers-over-new-gst-rules-20180531-p4zikr.html)
Post by: Pete79 on May 31, 2018, 01:12:52 PM
Interesting move by Amazon
Amazon to block its US website for Aussie shoppers over new GST rules
https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/amazon-to-block-its-us-website-for-aussie-shoppers-over-new-gst-rules-20180531-p4zikr.html (https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/amazon-to-block-its-us-website-for-aussie-shoppers-over-new-gst-rules-20180531-p4zikr.html)
Just logged on to post the same news.
Well done Amazon, good job keeping Australia in the dark ages for a little bit longer.....
Apparently we’re not even going to be able to see the US site any more. Just so you can’t see exactly how much you’re getting ripped off with every purchase...
Post by: Bird on May 31, 2018, 01:18:36 PM
Just logged on to post the same news.VPN ;)
Well done Amazon, good job keeping Australia in the dark ages for a little bit longer.....
Apparently we’re not even going to be able to see the US site any more. Just so you can’t see exactly how much you’re getting ripped off with every purchase...
Post by: Pete79 on May 31, 2018, 01:19:39 PM
VPN ;)Data retention laws... :(
Post by: HKB Electronics on May 31, 2018, 01:24:35 PM
"From 1 July 2018, Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to the sale of low value goods (i.e. goods valued at AU $1,000 or less) imported by consumers into Australia.
eBay is considered an Electronic Distribution Platform (EDP) under the relevant legislation and therefore responsible for collecting the GST on low value imports and paying it to the Australian Government. This means that from 1 July 2018, eBay will add GST at checkout on all imports with an order value less than AU $1,000 and remit the GST to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). We will not collect GST on orders over AU $1,000.
If you are a seller with products located outside Australia, you don't have to collect GST nor remit anything to the ATO in regards to your eBay sales. Any GST that applies for low value goods bought on eBay and imported into Australia is added to the order price and collected by eBay from buyers, then remitted directly to the ATO. You still receive payment for your orders as normal However, you acknowledge and agree that 1) your prices may appear 10% higher to buyers than before if their delivery address is in Australia; and 2) we won't report GST collected to you, although we will indicate on the order details page if GST was collected by eBay.
As a seller, you must not misrepresent the location of your items on eBay and you must comply with eBay's Selling practices policy. Sellers found in violation of this policy may be subject to listing removal, warnings and suspension by eBay.
If you are a buyer, you may see "GST may apply" when viewing items on eBay that are located overseas. You acknowledge and agree that if you buy a low value item on eBay from outside Australia, you will be charged 10% GST on top of the seller's item price (applied in your cart and at checkout). If there is any dispute as to the GST you have paid on an order, you should contact eBay. If you receive a full or partial refund for your purchase, you will also receive a refund for the proportionate amount of GST."
Still we allow those that a chauffer driven to say you can't claim travelling to work expenses as a valid job related tax deduction. If we let them get away with that one no doubt we won't do any thing about this either. Its just another new tax to cover the governments spending. Pity the average worker just can't demand another pay rise when his living costs go up.
Post by: edz on May 31, 2018, 01:43:56 PM
Then the tax man will have to go after all the Postal and big global courier networks to get them to stop shipping into Australia. Good luck with that .
P*ss people off enough and they will fight back one way or another .. Some Government / retailer types might like to remember that ..
Especialy when people are used to having something and someone comes along and takes it from them . .
But then again Australia is full of a lot of " SHEEPLE " these days .
Post by: paceman on May 31, 2018, 02:02:42 PM
from my own experience, the vast majority of stuff i do buy from overseas is small items (for example, the led bulbs i recently got from aliexpress)...
they were a $13 purchase, so based on this law, i would have to pay an extra $1.30...
would that have stopped me from buying said item? nope...
amazon doing what they are doing is understandable, because they have an australian alternative (which at the moment is not as good, i know, but will get better and maybe, this law will actually accelerate the improvement process of the australian amazon store)
ebay and aliexpress will just add the GST onto the item (by the looks of it). depending on the original price (for me anyways), that's not a big deal.
i've never bought something over $300 from overseas, let alone nearly $1000.... obviously others have and do.
just my own experience and input... YMMV... as others have said, legal options are already in place to get stuff from the US (in particular) to australia, when the US store won't post to us... these types of options will just increase, i think...
(edit: added government stupidity at the top)
Post by: Bird on May 31, 2018, 02:20:00 PM
Quote from: edz
P*ss people off enough and they will fight back one way or another ..
..... But then again Australia is full of a lot of " SHEEPLE " these days .
You beat me to it with your own answer
Post by: Pete79 on May 31, 2018, 02:21:54 PM
At the moment Amazon is basically competing against itself.
This is my take on it.
They currently sell a product in the US for $100 and you can ship it to Aus for say $20.
They want to sell the same product in Australia for $130 and charge you $5 local delivery.
The fact that you can currently check the US price and make sure the AU price is fair stops their profiteering from Australian consumers.
As all the other US companies like Adobe have show us over many years, Australian consumers are ripe for the picking.
The government and the consumer watch dog a weak as piss and the companies have nothing to fear by screwing us over.
Amazon has just decided it’s easier for them if we can’t see how badly we are being screwed....
Post by: Spada on May 31, 2018, 02:45:51 PM
I don't have an opinion one way or the other on whether or not GST "should" be applied to offshore purchases, but if the sums still show that it's significantly cheaper to buy off-shore, then that's what I will do. I still like to buy local when I can, but at some point price wins out over convenience.
Post by: paceman on May 31, 2018, 02:46:31 PM
sometimes, amazon US has stuff that you just can't get here in australia...
Post by: Bird on May 31, 2018, 03:18:40 PM
Quote from: Spada
The last big ticket item I bought from overseas was a motorcycle helmet. Cheapest I could find it for in AUS was $1100'ish. I bought the same item from an online retailer in Italy for $685 delivered to my door. Even if GST was applied by either the seller (not likely because they are EU based) or collected by Australia Post (not likely, because the sender pays their countries postal organisation the postage cost), the price would have still been $350 cheaper than buying locally.That's why my old boss closed the doors after 30/40 yrs in the same location - he couldn't buy accessories from the distributors for the price people could get things from overseas. They used to come in, try on things then walk out... wasted most of his day helping people with riding gear for no sales. Just does servicing now - something you cant get online ;)
Post by: HKB Electronics on May 31, 2018, 03:29:55 PM
i think part of the problem is not so much price (because it can be very dependent on the exchange rate at the time), but more so availability.
sometimes, amazon US has stuff that you just can't get here in australia...
I recently purchased an item from Amazon US as it was around $30 cheaper than buying from Amazon here, I would have brought the item from my local Marine supplier but they didn't stock it. I don't mind paying a bit extra for shipping but when the local agent wants $300 to $400 more for the same item then something stinks.
Same with car spares, I can get KIA spare parts fro the US shipped here for around 1/3 - 1/2 the price of purchasing it local, granted some of the parts are made in the US but the rest is probably being shipped form Korea to the US and then back to Australia and its still half the price. Where a captive market as far as their concerned and they can charge what they like.
The Government doesn't care if your bring it in, their not interested in supporting local business, they just want their cut.
Post by: Bird on May 31, 2018, 03:37:31 PM
Quote from: HKB Electronics
granted some of the parts are made in the US but the rest is probably being shipped form Korea to the US and then back to Australia and its still half the price.For years - ARB lockers - made in Kilsyth - 15 mins from here.. nearly 1/2 price from USA... dunno if its still the same.
Wonder how those buying tyres from Tirerack will go :(
https://tires.tirerack.com/tires/Shipping%20Cost
Post by: achjimmy on May 31, 2018, 03:54:36 PM
Post by: Bird on May 31, 2018, 04:23:11 PM
"despite using a VPN and freight forwarders to circumvent the location geoblocking, an Australian issued credit card would most likely be blocked. don't know about paypal though"
Much pitchfork and fist waving action over there at moment.
Post by: Pete79 on May 31, 2018, 04:32:41 PM
For years - ARB lockers - made in Kilsyth - 15 mins from here.. nearly 1/2 price from USA... dunno if its still the same.
Nah the yanks just get free shipping these days.
Gave my local rip-off-shop, sorry, gave ARB a Call and got a quote for an air locker and bullbar.
My US supplier has them both items listed for exactly the same AU price I was quoted from my local store (converting their listed US price to AU$ at today’s exchange rate of 0.76).
But I guess when the dollar was at parity, yes it would have been considerably cheaper to buy Australian made products from the US and ship them back here.
Post by: Spada on May 31, 2018, 04:55:51 PM
For years - ARB lockers - made in Kilsyth - 15 mins from here.. nearly 1/2 price from USA... dunno if its still the same.
and HEL braided brake lines made in Australia are cheaper to buy from TygaPerformance in Malaysia than what they cost in Aus ?
I occasionally buy bike bits from Jaws Motorcyles (UK) or Tyga Performance (Malaysia). Both post direct to Aus, so I dont know how the grubbymint will get their cut from this. Usually what I buy from them simply is not available from Australian retailers.
Post by: Fizzie on June 01, 2018, 07:30:14 AM
As a seller, you must not misrepresent the location of your items on eBay and you must comply with eBay's Selling practices policy. Sellers found in violation of this policy may be subject to listing removal, warnings and suspension by eBay.
Is that a new rule, or are they saying they're actually going to try & enforce their existing rule ???
So many things, I buy "Australian" stock, & it arrives in a parcel covered in Chinese chook-scratches, with a Custom's dec attached :'( I know for an absolute fact that one very popular seller (or group of them ???) located in "Darwin, NT", actually posts from New Territories, Hong Kong :'(
Post by: tryagain on June 01, 2018, 08:52:24 AM
Is that a new rule, or are they saying they're actually going to try & enforce their existing rule ???
So many things, I buy "Australian" stock, & it arrives in a parcel covered in Chinese chook-scratches, with a Custom's dec attached :'( I know for an absolute fact that one very popular seller (or group of them ???) located in "Darwin, NT", actually posts from New Territories, Hong Kong :'(
Yep, "Darwin NT" on eBay equates to China now days
Post by: Bird on June 01, 2018, 09:15:13 AM
Quote from: Spada
Usually what I buy from them simply is not available from Australian retailers.and this is going to be the killer in the end for consumers, not that they matter.
FWIW - I do agree companies should all pay tax in AU... Otherwise we will end up with no retail jobs in this country which will snowball to nothing here if everyone shops everything overseas, things just wont be viable to stay open.
I don't know what the solution is, but its a ****in mess
The other way that Gov co might look at is Taxing people at this end somehow.. You buy $1000 helmet from USA, they tax you at the bank end this end...
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on June 01, 2018, 09:23:19 AM
Post by: Bird on June 01, 2018, 10:07:07 AM
Your giving 'em ideas Bird. They have spys everywhere, you know that.if I can get on the payroll and junkets, Im in
Post by: Bird on June 01, 2018, 10:26:03 AM
'When I read that Amazon were offering the same very fast delivery guarantee for ALL of Australia, it rang alarm bells with me.
It said to me that they didn't understand our geography, distances, infrastructure or population distribution.
So I think this is a convenient excuse to pull back because they they set themselves up for a fail by not fully understanding this market.'
Post by: HKB Electronics on June 01, 2018, 11:41:49 AM
and this is going to be the killer in the end for consumers, not that they matter.
FWIW - I do agree companies should all pay tax in AU... Otherwise we will end up with no retail jobs in this country which will snowball to nothing here if everyone shops everything overseas, things just wont be viable to stay open.
I don't know what the solution is, but its a ****in mess
The other way that Gov co might look at is Taxing people at this end somehow.. You buy $1000 helmet from USA, they tax you at the bank end this end...
Lets get this right, its not other companies paying their fare share of taxes here, they could be already paying their fare share of taxes in their own country, if they aren't then that's their Governments issue. What where talking about here is the government getting what they believe is the fare share of what you spend your money on. If the Government wishes to claim a cut from you for direct overseas purchases then it should be done as an import duty as they have always done, but they won't do it in this case as that might lead to a trade war or breech some of their new trade agreements. Easier to just hit the consumer instead who can't fight back and pass the onus onto Ebay to collect it for them. Win win for the government.
In a greater majority of cases of the things I purchase from overseas it is because they aren't made here in fact very little of what we buy is made here these days. The Government has done nothing to protect what manufacturing industry we had nor do they do anything to actively help new industry to develop, the recent ATO issues are a prime example of that, they will change rulings and then put a company out of business to obtain what they now say their due.
Reality is the Government let manufacturing disappear, it introduced and is still introducing trade agreements which end up in our farmers for instance pulling out their fruit trees. They allow our raw resources to disappear overseas etc. They allowed overseas companies to come in and compete on so called level playing fields that were always biased towards the foreign company with the reasoning it will make things more competitive and cheaper, yep that worked for Telecos, Super markets, Gas, Petrol and just about everything else. When their taxation revenue starts dropping they then look at ways to tax overseas countries to try and get a share.
It is the consumer that is making the choice, things are cheaper to buy overseas where they are made and have them shipped here. Most things if you buy them here are being imported by someone, their cut is added on then the products are sold here. If the Government is happy to let traditional manufacturing disappear, keep pushing their line "we'll create new high tech industries" etc then they should be prepared to live off he revenue generated by these new high tech industries.
Reality is, if all was well here we would be manufacturing and exporting products all over the world, we aren't. Hence why the trade is mostly one way and why the government is now trying to find new ways to raise revenue.
I watched Harveynorman jumping up and down they other day saying Amazon isn't paying taxes etc, I assume he means here. Looking at him, he is a smart man, he set up a retail chain that doesn't manufacture anything, he either obtains locally or imports from overseas, he then adds his cut and sells it to you, basically making money by just importing it and selling it to you. He makes his money from you, gives the goverment their cut of what he made from you. If he was exporting overseas I'm sure he would be arguing he has paid his taxes here why should he be paying overseas too. The consumer is making the choice, they are cutting out the middle man, unfortunately it may put some local distributors and their staff out of work which means down the track the workers will be paying more in taxes.
In the case of amazon, they effectively do the same, they operate a platform that sells things to you, instead of importing into the country they ship it to you. One imagines they pay taxes in their country or somewhere?
Amazon, their sellers and their suppliers and the countries concerned made their money from you, the item you purchased was probably not made in Australia so therefore why should our goverment get a cut out of it. The goverment may feel they should get a cut out of your spending but why, you paid your income tax, why should the goverment now demand another cut when you spend your money to buy something from overseas, if you were overseas and purchase it they wouldn't get a cut?
Reality is sometime down the track nothing will be made here, nor will resources be able to fund the goverment, look at Nauru. The only revenue streams for the goverment will be income tax and sales tax, if where not going to spend our money in Australia the government has now moved to apply sales tax to everthing you purchase from overseas where they can, your effectively paying twice, the sales tax of the country the business is based in where you purchased the item from and lets call it a new spending tax here as that what it is.
This change isn't about foreign companies paying tax here why should they, the item was manufactured overseas and effectively brought from there, its about the government taxing your spending. In the Ebay change, there is no difference to the seller, he lists his item at his price, Ebay adds the GST to the sales price and that is what's shown in the sale. When you pay the seller Ebay set aside the new GST and pass it onto the government, this is just another tax on the Australian consumer, not the seller overseas nor should it be.
Post by: corndog on June 01, 2018, 01:54:39 PM
Post by: macca on June 01, 2018, 03:33:01 PM
Well said HKB
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on June 01, 2018, 04:38:02 PM
There's more than enough of us to make a difference to the Status Quo at Election time, but it never seems to happen.
As far as getting around the Amazon Problem, here's some words of wisdom from our wonderful own ABC.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-31/amazon-blocks-australia-shopping-deal-how-it-affects-you/9820312 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-31/amazon-blocks-australia-shopping-deal-how-it-affects-you/9820312)
Post by: corndog on June 01, 2018, 05:08:22 PM
Post by: Troopy_03 on June 01, 2018, 06:59:07 PM
Well you could argue that we should be manufacturing more stuff here anyway. But how likely is that with the wages we pay in Australia, and the consumers constant demand for lower and lower prices? If an Aussie company charged a realistic price for an item, they manufactured in Australia, there's no way in the world they could compete with an overseas company that pays AU$1.50 per hour and doesn't have to worry about sick leave, holiday pay, super.. etc.. etc.. etc.
You can blame whichever flavour of government you like, but at the end of the day, it's the purchaser's shortsighted quest for the best bargain possible, that does more harm to our economy and manufacturing industry than anything else.
Post by: edz on June 01, 2018, 07:05:42 PM
Post by: rockrat on June 01, 2018, 07:45:19 PM
Which is otherwise known as the GST and applies to most goods and services sold in Australia.
its about the government taxing your spending.
Why should purchases from overseas be exempt?
Surely including GST on overseas purchases makes our local businesses just that little bit more competitive and that is a good thing?
Post by: Paddler Ed on June 01, 2018, 08:45:48 PM
If I was buying in the UK from within the EU, I wouldn't get a VAT free sale, but at the same time I wouldn't pay anything on arrival - the expectation being that the free trade between them was enough to balance out the VAT books as such.
In the UK, if you buy from outside the EU the courier or the Royal Snail will drop you a card saying please pay Duties and a handling fee, and then we'll deliver the parcel to you...
Post by: rags on June 01, 2018, 08:54:54 PM
Bloody hell HKB please run for prime minister, for the first time in my life i am going to just chuck my voting slips in the bin as i just cant see any good in any of these politicians. From the outside it must look like their being paid to stuff our countryd
Well said HKB
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Well may I say if we are installing HKB as PM then I'm giving the deputy job and Treasurer to Troopy-03. We need someone who understands the problem and I think Troopy has a handle on the problem like a good treasurer. The PM often doesn't have a handle on the detail of the issue.
If a company like Amazon makes a decision to block Australians from purchasing from their O/S operation and blames it on a complicated tax collection initiative of the Australia Govt, then don't be fooled by that decision. They didn't become a global giant without being smart in what they do. This is a perfect opportunity to strengthen their Australian base whilst as aglobal company still collect the GST and all while now capturing the Australian customers onto an exclusive site and in turn charging prices they think they can get away with.
With regards the comments re the traders like Harvey Norman, yes he may import some product, he may put a commercial markup on the product. But what Gerry Harvey does is employs Australians to first build his trading centres, most likely with those trades buying the bulk of the gear from Australian suppliers, suppliers who employ people to distribute the gear, delivered on trucks to the site. Now that we have the site built we then have the cleaners to keep it in good presentation, the gardener to maintain the landscaping, there is the plumber and electrician tasked with carring out on going maintenance.
Did I mention that HN will employ sales assistance to serve customers, provide jobs for the truck drivers to deliver the fridge, sell the tiles, carpet, kitchen, bathroom stuff that needs installing by trades.
Another feature of HN is that they will sell products with Australian approvals, including gas approvals for gas appliances, WaterMark for plumbing products, electrical approvals for electrical appliances etc, leaving the customer a form of surety. They also honour warranties.And the customer is protected by Aust trading laws. Not sure if O/S suppliers do that
Don't forget that in the HN complex there will be other supporting retailers offering a similar buying and employment cycle. There will be a cafe or Macca's employing people and on it goes.
An while all this happens a GST is being paid to support our country to provide services to all including NDIS funding and a pension to my brother for which I'm grateful for and feel lucky that I'm in the lucky country.
I ask those that are crying in their weetbix does Amazon or other OS companies go any where near the community participation like Aust retailers?
I'm sure you all can afford the 10% extra on that LED light or whatever it is you buy O/S.
Stop whinging.
Post by: Pottsy on June 01, 2018, 09:05:35 PM
dX2 bloody well put. :cup:
Well may I say if we are installing HKB as PM then I'm giving the deputy job and Treasurer to Troopy-03. We need someone who understands the problem and I think Troopy has a handle on the problem like a good treasurer. The PM often doesn't have a handle on the detail of the issue.
If a company like Amazon makes a decision to block Australians from purchasing from their O/S operation and blames it on a complicated tax collection initiative of the Australia Govt, then don't be fooled by that decision. They didn't become a global giant without being smart in what they do. This is a perfect opportunity to strengthen their Australian base whilst as aglobal company still collect the GST and all while now capturing the Australian customers onto an exclusive site and in turn charging prices they think they can get away with.
With regards the comments re the traders like Harvey Norman, yes he may import some product, he may put a commercial markup on the product. But what Gerry Harvey does is employs Australians to first build his trading centres, most likely with those trades buying the bulk of the gear from Australian suppliers, suppliers who employ people to distribute the gear, delivered on trucks to the site. Now that we have the site built we then have the cleaners to keep it in good presentation, the gardener to maintain the landscaping, there is the plumber and electrician tasked with carring out on going maintenance.
Did I mention that HN will employ sales assistance to serve customers, provide jobs for the truck drivers to deliver the fridge, sell the tiles, carpet, kitchen, bathroom stuff that needs installing by trades.
Another feature of HN is that they will sell products with Australian approvals, including gas approvals for gas appliances, WaterMark for plumbing products, electrical approvals for electrical appliances etc, leaving the customer a form of surety. They also honour warranties.And the customer is protected by Aust trading laws. Not sure if O/S suppliers do that
Don't forget that in the HN complex there will be other supporting retailers offering a similar buying and employment cycle. There will be a cafe or Macca's employing people and on it goes.
An while all this happens a GST is being paid to support our country to provide services to all including NDIS funding and a pension to my brother for which I'm grateful for and feel lucky that I'm in the lucky country.
I ask those that are crying in their weetbix does Amazon or other OS companies go any where near the community participation like Aust retailers?
I'm sure you all can afford the 10% extra on that LED light or whatever it is you buy O/S.
Stop whinging.
Post by: macca on June 01, 2018, 10:14:14 PM
dIt amuses me when someone has a whinge and then puts stops whinging at the bottom of his post. I can't help it if I dont like Weetbix
Well may I say if we are installing HKB as PM then I'm giving the deputy job and Treasurer to Troopy-03. We need someone who understands the problem and I think Troopy has a handle on the problem like a good treasurer. The PM often doesn't have a handle on the detail of the issue.
If a company like Amazon makes a decision to block Australians from purchasing from their O/S operation and blames it on a complicated tax collection initiative of the Australia Govt, then don't be fooled by that decision. They didn't become a global giant without being smart in what they do. This is a perfect opportunity to strengthen their Australian base whilst as aglobal company still collect the GST and all while now capturing the Australian customers onto an exclusive site and in turn charging prices they think they can get away with.
With regards the comments re the traders like Harvey Norman, yes he may import some product, he may put a commercial markup on the product. But what Gerry Harvey does is employs Australians to first build his trading centres, most likely with those trades buying the bulk of the gear from Australian suppliers, suppliers who employ people to distribute the gear, delivered on trucks to the site. Now that we have the site built we then have the cleaners to keep it in good presentation, the gardener to maintain the landscaping, there is the plumber and electrician tasked with carring out on going maintenance.
Did I mention that HN will employ sales assistance to serve customers, provide jobs for the truck drivers to deliver the fridge, sell the tiles, carpet, kitchen, bathroom stuff that needs installing by trades.
Another feature of HN is that they will sell products with Australian approvals, including gas approvals for gas appliances, WaterMark for plumbing products, electrical approvals for electrical appliances etc, leaving the customer a form of surety. They also honour warranties.And the customer is protected by Aust trading laws. Not sure if O/S suppliers do that
Don't forget that in the HN complex there will be other supporting retailers offering a similar buying and employment cycle. There will be a cafe or Macca's employing people and on it goes.
An while all this happens a GST is being paid to support our country to provide services to all including NDIS funding and a pension to my brother for which I'm grateful for and feel lucky that I'm in the lucky country.
I ask those that are crying in their weetbix does Amazon or other OS companies go any where near the community participation like Aust retailers?
I'm sure you all can afford the 10% extra on that LED light or whatever it is you buy O/S.
Stop whinging.
Sent from my SM-T815Y using Tapatalk
Post by: D4D on June 02, 2018, 06:33:45 AM
Other Mobs will rise to the occasion and offer a way to sell to Australia ... When you talk money you talk greed and lets face it theres a hell of a lot of Money Hungry types out there .
calling Mr Kogan...
Post by: Pete79 on June 02, 2018, 07:40:01 AM
“As just one example, the same 128 gigabyte SD memory card that Amazon.com sells for $US61 ($83) and ships to Australia is available only from a third-party seller on Amazon’s Australian website for $98, while JB Hi-Fi sells the same product for $199.”
Post by: HKB Electronics on June 02, 2018, 10:20:40 AM
d
Well may I say if we are installing HKB as PM then I'm giving the deputy job and Treasurer to Troopy-03. We need someone who understands the problem and I think Troopy has a handle on the problem like a good treasurer. The PM often doesn't have a handle on the detail of the issue.
If a company like Amazon makes a decision to block Australians from purchasing from their O/S operation and blames it on a complicated tax collection initiative of the Australia Govt, then don't be fooled by that decision. They didn't become a global giant without being smart in what they do. This is a perfect opportunity to strengthen their Australian base whilst as aglobal company still collect the GST and all while now capturing the Australian customers onto an exclusive site and in turn charging prices they think they can get away with.
With regards the comments re the traders like Harvey Norman, yes he may import some product, he may put a commercial markup on the product. But what Gerry Harvey does is employs Australians to first build his trading centres, most likely with those trades buying the bulk of the gear from Australian suppliers, suppliers who employ people to distribute the gear, delivered on trucks to the site. Now that we have the site built we then have the cleaners to keep it in good presentation, the gardener to maintain the landscaping, there is the plumber and electrician tasked with carring out on going maintenance.
Did I mention that HN will employ sales assistance to serve customers, provide jobs for the truck drivers to deliver the fridge, sell the tiles, carpet, kitchen, bathroom stuff that needs installing by trades.
Another feature of HN is that they will sell products with Australian approvals, including gas approvals for gas appliances, WaterMark for plumbing products, electrical approvals for electrical appliances etc, leaving the customer a form of surety. They also honour warranties.And the customer is protected by Aust trading laws. Not sure if O/S suppliers do that
Don't forget that in the HN complex there will be other supporting retailers offering a similar buying and employment cycle. There will be a cafe or Macca's employing people and on it goes.
An while all this happens a GST is being paid to support our country to provide services to all including NDIS funding and a pension to my brother for which I'm grateful for and feel lucky that I'm in the lucky country.
I ask those that are crying in their weetbix does Amazon or other OS companies go any where near the community participation like Aust retailers?
I'm sure you all can afford the 10% extra on that LED light or whatever it is you buy O/S.
Stop whinging.
I have nothing against Harvey Norman, if he can resell you an item and make a profit good on him, I recenlty purchased a new TV, I purchased it from a large retail chain, why because I wanted to be able to see the unit and compare it to other makes and models, the chain concerned made money out of me by having a display, being able to purchase in bulk and offering a competitive price.
Other items I don't need to see it and can possibly purchase cheaper from overseas so I will. If I now have to pay GST on it so be it, but don't try and say it is a way of getting overseas companies to pay their fare share of the tax, its not, I'm paying it so in affect the government has just introduced a new sales tax on the purchase of overseas goods.
You are joking with your this will lead to only approved items being brought into Australia, there are many companies in Australia selling unapproved items including large hardware stores.
As for Amazon, I don't see anything wrong in what their doing. They have decided to setup a local business, the Goverment decides it is loosing to much sales tax to overseas sales so decides to change the rules and now charge tax on these sales. They then find out it is going to be a nightmare trying to get the new tax so decide they will dump it on Ebay and Amazon etc to collect it for them as they couldn't work out how to do it themselves. No doubt down the track I will again pay for this as increases in Ebay fees. Amazon deicides it doesn't want to spend the money on software development and hardware, why should they anyway, their Amazon US and UK aren't in Australia, their not selling anything here they only provide the platform for sellers, why should they have do the government dirty work? They already have a presence in Australia (and employee Australians by the way) so they decide it is a better business case to just ban Australian customers and force them to abide by the new Australain goverment rules. Now it is their fault that the local site is more expensive and has fewer options, no Amazon is a platform for sellers, they aren't selling you anything, it is the Australian companies and others on the platform that set the prices and the product ranges of things they sell.
Yes the Australian public aren't happy but they can blame the government for demanding that Amazon do their dirty work for them. Ebay didn't have any choice it seems they have no local presence like Amazon so they had to roll over and will no doubt pass the costs on to the Ebay members.
So we have to pay 10% GST on overseas purchase no big deal as far as I'm concerned, will it help Australian business no it won't it will just put more money in the governments coffers. It will be interesting to see down the track should they decide to increase the general GST to cover shortfalls how happily you accept that.
The bottom line to this is everyone wants a bargain, companies want to make money, Governments want to make money out of both. To their end companies want to operate as cheaply as possible. Most of the population want and need a job to survive, companies on the other hand see employees as a drain on their profits, Silicon valley is pressing ahead with AI and things like driverless cars. It is only a matter of time before their aren't any truck drivers, delivery drivers, taxi drivers train drivers etc. Silicon valley will pressed ahead with IT systems that don't need support, factories will have robotics with AI etc and companies won't need employees. The question then is who buys the goods the companies make without the need of employees? They already have software using AI that can diagnose certain illnesses more accuratley than the lead professionals can, their goes another occupation. They have robots that can perform surgery better than surgeons, another one down. What does society want, do we pay more and keep people in jobs even if they can be replaced with a machine? Silicon valley isn't worried about what's going to happen they are intent on pushing it to the limits to make a few very, very weathly at the expense of the whole. A show I was watching they other day suggested that maybe in the future the very very wealthy will pay the unemployed an allowance to live on, yep I can see that happening, society should be sitting down and talking about these issues now rather than just letting Silicon valley lead the way to their visoin of utophia.
For this country to survive we need to bring money into the country, how many people do you know who work in an industry or for a business that actually brings money into the country? The only one in my family and group of friends that does is myself as I sell internationally, the rest all work for local service industries that obtain their basic supplies either locally or import them and then sell their services to the local community. The country can't survive like this, how many coffee shops, Harvey Normans, Supermarkets, delivery drivers etc can the country support when the money just keeps circulating in the local community or being used to purchase items from overseas be it either via individuals or companies, Harvey Norman does nothing to support Australia apart from paying taxes on his profits, everything he sells he purchases in. The income tax his employees pay are just other Australians money circulating in Australia, if where not selling products to other countries then where going to go down the gurgler. How long do you think this country would survive if we stopped exporting products? I dread to think of what is going to happen here once the mining and other natural resources runout. The goverments solution seems to be bring more people into the country, this creates more jobs, yep it probably does in the local service which solves nothing, the money is again just circulating in the local economy and it leads to more imports which adds to the national debt. It is already amazing when you look around and see just how many local services industries are supported by the few comapanies left in Australia that actually earn revenue for the country.
If the govermnet/s want to do something then they should have done it years ago and raised the GST then and put the money into some sort of futures scheme to support the country when the good times area over rather then just spend it.
Post by: corndog on June 02, 2018, 11:29:59 AM
Now don't quote me on the figures as it has been a while since I saw this interview.
Someone who looks into the way jobs/technology is going said that in the next 20 years, (and I think it was less) there will be 800 million jobs world wide lost to technology. Mind you the population will also have another 1 billion or so. How do you tax a robot for it's work ??? Less workers tax would have to mean more from other sources. GST = 20% maybe ???
Also I looked into buying a new sewing machine for the wife. Think it was around $2400 purchased here in Australia. Compared it to buying in America which was around $1100 AU. Sure there is postage to get it here, they work on a different voltage and probably no warranty here. The thing is why over twice the price from a retail outlet in both countries. They are made in the same place, shipped from the same place, not that much difference in a transformer for the different voltage, for all I know it could be the same transformer just a different tap. Made me wonder who is getting the extra difference in the money. The government would be taking a slice for their import tax for sure.
Post by: Pottsy on June 02, 2018, 12:22:29 PM
Maybe a little off track.Having worked for an American company which manufactured and distributed product worldwide one of the reasons for the price discrepency between US pricing and Aus pricing can be attributed to the way the parent company prices/sells its own product to its subsidiaries overseas. Many US companies do not sell to their overseas subsidiaries at manufactured costs they actually make a profit on that cost, sometimes numerous margins dependent on dept, ie manufacturer, distribution, freight forwarding etc. Companies may also set a currency exchange for extended periods, six or twelve months regardless of what the actual currency is at on any given day, head office will also dictate a return on their investments that must be factored in to prices. I do not profess to know all the intricasies of the pricing structures but it is not as simple as a currency calculation US to Aus dollars. Are we paying over the odds, probably but we will never by US product at the same price in Australia if it is coming thru a bricks and mortar business via a US subsidiary.
Now don't quote me on the figures as it has been a while since I saw this interview.
Someone who looks into the way jobs/technology is going said that in the next 20 years, (and I think it was less) there will be 800 million jobs world wide lost to technology. Mind you the population will also have another 1 billion or so. How do you tax a robot for it's work ??? Less workers tax would have to mean more from other sources. GST = 20% maybe ???
Also I looked into buying a new sewing machine for the wife. Think it was around $2400 purchased here in Australia. Compared it to buying in America which was around $1100 AU. Sure there is postage to get it here, they work on a different voltage and probably no warranty here. The thing is why over twice the price from a retail outlet in both countries. They are made in the same place, shipped from the same place, not that much difference in a transformer for the different voltage, for all I know it could be the same transformer just a different tap. Made me wonder who is getting the extra difference in the money. The government would be taking a slice for their import tax for sure.
Take an items manufactured cost add packaging, marketing, warehousing, freight, taxes and duties, LTIs, rebates, settlement discounts, R&D, advertising and sponsorships, staff etc, soon adds up.
Post by: corndog on June 02, 2018, 12:40:17 PM
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on June 02, 2018, 12:44:13 PM
I can't see Jeepers being happy with that idea though.
Post by: HKB Electronics on June 02, 2018, 01:46:55 PM
Just thought of this one. What if I was to buy a used second hand item from overseas. Would I be paying the GST on that ???
You should be but they don't have the structure in place to do it if its under $1000, hence why they forced Ebay to do it.The
taxation department has already ruled that all sales on Ebay should incur the GST, that includes mums and dads selling things,
they just haven't enforced it for the time being.
Post by: Troopy_03 on June 02, 2018, 01:59:40 PM
calling Mr Kogan...
He's ok if you don't mind buying EU model phones, instead of AU model phones. LOL Oh yeah, and providing they actually work, like mine didn't....
Post by: HKB Electronics on June 02, 2018, 02:24:40 PM
Having worked for an American company which manufactured and distributed product worldwide one of the reasons for the price discrepency between US pricing and Aus pricing can be attributed to the way the parent company prices/sells its own product to its subsidiaries overseas. Many US companies do not sell to their overseas subsidiaries at manufactured costs they actually make a profit on that cost, sometimes numerous margins dependent on dept, ie manufacturer, distribution, freight forwarding etc. Companies may also set a currency exchange for extended periods, six or twelve months regardless of what the actual currency is at on any given day, head office will also dictate a return on their investments that must be factored in to prices. I do not profess to know all the intricasies of the pricing structures but it is not as simple as a currency calculation US to Aus dollars. Are we paying over the odds, probably but we will never by US product at the same price in Australia if it is coming thru a bricks and mortar business via a US subsidiary.
Take an items manufactured cost add packaging, marketing, warehousing, freight, taxes and duties, LTIs, rebates, settlement discounts, R&D, advertising and sponsorships, staff etc, soon adds up.
I know companies here that do the same thing, thy manufacture parts in one plant for use in a product and sell it to another branch of the business who use
it in said product. I expect they do that for various tax reduction purposes.
Post by: Pottsy on June 02, 2018, 02:54:45 PM
I know companies here that do the same thing, thy manufacture parts in one plant for use in a product and sell it to another branch of the business who useCommon in many companies with each functioning division required to meet KPIs.
it in said product. I expect they do that for various tax reduction purposes.
Post by: Pete79 on January 11, 2019, 02:26:23 PM
What you’ll see happen with Amazon is all prices will creep up over time until the Australian consumer gets shafted at an acceptable level.
At the moment Amazon is basically competing against itself.
This is my take on it.
They currently sell a product in the US for $100 and you can ship it to Aus for say $20.
They want to sell the same product in Australia for $130 and charge you $5 local delivery.
The fact that you can currently check the US price and make sure the AU price is fair stops their profiteering from Australian consumers.
As all the other US companies like Adobe have show us over many years, Australian consumers are ripe for the picking.
The government and the consumer watch dog a weak as piss and the companies have nothing to fear by screwing us over.
Amazon has just decided it’s easier for them if we can’t see how badly we are being screwed....
Exhibit A;
One of our favorite camping chairs lost a fight with the campfire a little while ago, sadly no local camping stores import this specifc model anymore.
You can buy them in the Uk and the US, just not in AUS.
Amazon US; https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-205474-Sling-Chair/dp/B0047T69NC?keywords=coleman+sling+folding+chair&qid=1547179879&sr=8-10&ref=sr_1_10 (https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-205474-Sling-Chair/dp/B0047T69NC?keywords=coleman+sling+folding+chair&qid=1547179879&sr=8-10&ref=sr_1_10)
Coleman Sling Chair
by Coleman
Be the first to review this item
Available from these sellers.
Camping seat-Type: folding chair
Size-Maximum capacity: 113kg
Equipment-with arm balustrade ?
New (1) from $46.19
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Pjp6R9FCL.jpg)
Amazon AU; https://www.amazon.com.au/Green-Coleman-Sling-Chair/dp/B0047T69NC (https://www.amazon.com.au/Green-Coleman-Sling-Chair/dp/B0047T69NC)
(Green) - Coleman Sling Chair Green
Be the first to review this item
Price: $412.00
In stock.
Get it as soon as Monday, January 28 - Tuesday, February 5 when you choose Standard Delivery at checkout.
Ships from and sold by BuyGlobal.
1 new from $412.00
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Pjp6R9FCL.jpg)
Yes you read correctly; US$46.19 or AU$412.00
I thought it was a typo so checked similar listings on the AU site.
You can get exactly the same chair in Khaki for AU$241.00 (https://www.amazon.com.au/COLEMAN-Sling-Folding-Chair-Khaki/dp/B000YEOMSS (https://www.amazon.com.au/COLEMAN-Sling-Folding-Chair-Khaki/dp/B000YEOMSS))
Or the same chair with a mesh fabric for AU$233.00 (https://www.amazon.com.au/Coleman-2000020294-Patio-Sling-Chair/dp/B00363X00U (https://www.amazon.com.au/Coleman-2000020294-Patio-Sling-Chair/dp/B00363X00U))
Both of those other versions retail on the US Amazon site for under $50 as well..... >:(
Post by: Bird on January 11, 2019, 02:31:44 PM
Exhibit A;wasnt there some website that people could report this Shit to?
One of our favorite camping chairs lost a fight with the campfire a little while ago, sadly no local camping stores import this specifc model anymore.
You can buy them in the Uk and the US, just not in AUS.
Amazon US; https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-205474-Sling-Chair/dp/B0047T69NC?keywords=coleman+sling+folding+chair&qid=1547179879&sr=8-10&ref=sr_1_10 (https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-205474-Sling-Chair/dp/B0047T69NC?keywords=coleman+sling+folding+chair&qid=1547179879&sr=8-10&ref=sr_1_10)
Coleman Sling Chair
by Coleman
Be the first to review this item
Available from these sellers.
Camping seat-Type: folding chair
Size-Maximum capacity: 113kg
Equipment-with arm balustrade ?
New (1) from $46.19
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Pjp6R9FCL.jpg)
Amazon AU; https://www.amazon.com.au/Green-Coleman-Sling-Chair/dp/B0047T69NC (https://www.amazon.com.au/Green-Coleman-Sling-Chair/dp/B0047T69NC)
(Green) - Coleman Sling Chair Green
Be the first to review this item
Price: $412.00
In stock.
Get it as soon as Monday, January 28 - Tuesday, February 5 when you choose Standard Delivery at checkout.
Ships from and sold by BuyGlobal.
1 new from $412.00
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Pjp6R9FCL.jpg)
Yes you read correctly; US$46.19 or AU$412.00
I thought it was a typo so checked similar listings on the AU site.
You can get exactly the same chair in Khaki for AU$241.00 (https://www.amazon.com.au/COLEMAN-Sling-Folding-Chair-Khaki/dp/B000YEOMSS (https://www.amazon.com.au/COLEMAN-Sling-Folding-Chair-Khaki/dp/B000YEOMSS))
Or the same chair with a mesh fabric for AU$233.00 (https://www.amazon.com.au/Coleman-2000020294-Patio-Sling-Chair/dp/B00363X00U (https://www.amazon.com.au/Coleman-2000020294-Patio-Sling-Chair/dp/B00363X00U))
Both of those other versions retail on the US Amazon site for under $50 as well..... >:(
I'd love to hear Mr Amazon AU explain this one... LOLOL someone should post it on their stalkerbook..