seems that the greedy retail giants have had a backfire from their media campaign to force the govt to increase control on internet purchases. They want the 10% GST imposed on all purchases.

http://www.news.com.au/business/business-smarts/online-shopping-gst-loophole-...

Federal govt is playing it very cool on this topic and people like Nick Xenophon have gone into bat against the big retail giants.

Its funny but a 5% swing in the aussie dollar has put so much focus on overseas spending. No one cared when we were buying overseas when the $Aus was at 95 cents US.

For people like me in remote areas the first choice for shopping... for anything... is to check it out on the internet. Doesnt make much difference whether it is in Australia or overseas, it all takes the same amount of time to get to my door.

it's like Goliath trying to be David..

About time too! The poor hardly done by retail groups are crying foul because their profits aren't as big as last year.

Even if the retailers were to get their way with the 10% GST, I know I would still be a lot better off as some of the prices are up to 50%-60% cheaper than here, inclusive of postage.

Until there is REAL competition in the retail sector here, I know where I'll be buying my stuff.

If only my pay would go up as quick as things do, I'd be happy with that. I can't make any more money, so I have to look at ways of saving, and if buying off the internet from overseas is the way to do it, then I will continue to do so.

Keep going up AUD!

Agreed, 10% isn't going to make it a "level playing field" as the retailer are saying it will.
If the retailers prices were only 10% dearer, then I would buy the stuff here in Australia. The fact is, you can buy stuff 50%+ cheaper from legitimate business over seas.

Either the retailers here have crappy buying power, or they aren't happy making less than 100% on items.

I'm with you guys, I live in the regions and the only way to buy anything is online, local just doesn't cut. No one asked the Hardly Normals of this world to build huge luxury warehouses and then become billionaires by charging 100% profit, they want a level field? rreduce ya prices then!

Thing is I can buy say a Cannon DSLR in trhe states for $250 USD
Same camera here is $500AUD and they are screaming that the 10% is the issue?
Dont think so its us being screwed thats the issue.
Mitchell

I just bought a camera online, a camera is not something I know all that much about so I shoped around at actual shops till I found out all I could about my intended purchase then checked the web to see what I could get it for, saved about 25%, the bloke in the store didn't get the sale but did give me a lot of unpaid assistance. I feel a bit guilty about buying it online, the online shop gave me no assistance except a better price, the bloke in the store could have handed it over when I paid my $, I'm still waiting for delivery of the camera I bought online, hoping like bloody hell I'm not going to get ripped off.
I realy think the shops are on the rough end. Like I said, I feel a bit guilty about buying on line and rightfully so.

i want to know how they will tell the difference between second hand goods and new stuff, i buy ALOT of second hand car parts, will they charge me GST on those? if so thats not fair! some of the stuff i buy is expensive, (hard to find stuff) also will they charge GST on shipping and handling?
there are some sellers who sell watches for 99c but shipping is $20, what do i pay GST on there?

I think you pay GST on parts from local wreckers, may be wrong though, happend once before.

I am a bit with Donn about feeling guilty buying online after getting free advice from the local shop.

As a builder, the other thing that I am sure of - the local shopkeeper or his staff are far more likely to get me to do building work for them than the online store (unless it is a very local one - not usually the case), if they still have a business or a job.

I guess what comes around goes around.

Well I think most of us support local, I do when I can as it's good if you get it straight away, but VW bits are a different thing, for me anyway as nearly all come from the east or overseas, there is no big vw suppliers here in W.A. I would prefer to buy on-line from an Aussie on-line store and even pay a bit more too if only for warranty reasons BUT I have yet to find a good site(anyone know one!)
Mind you I think there is a difference between the local shop with a local person you know running it than the National and International franchises: Hardly Normals etc, I never feel guilty with buying cheaper on-line than from the franchises

I buy 95% of my stuff online.

Don't be surprised if they get their way yet.

Yep, sure haven't heard any fat lady singing.

As the jingle goes.

Go Harvey Go. Go take a leap!

I don't buy washing machines or computers or refridgerators
on line....

just about everything else is bought on line...

save heaps on clothes.. shoes.. dog vet supplies..
dog beds etc.. phones.. dvd players- set top boxes...

car tyres cheaper if bought off line.... bob jane..

car parts...

Lee

I do get my photos printed out at hardly normal or big w..
Lee

HaHaHa....Just heard that Gerry has bowed out of the campaign........I think he just realized how damaging it is to the wealth he is currently amassing.

I just received a package bought online, invoice shows GST @ 10%, so in this case I did pay GST though it is an Australian based online seller.

news.com website article today - Gerry Harvey surrenders - 3300 comments .....

3300. Surely thats some sort of record... Australians have really got their backs up about this issue. And no-one seems to have any sympathy for the retail giants.

Now to get my Viagra!

HI
I bought a washing machine from harvdly normal last year but I got a price off the BIG BROWN BOX on the net first...
delivered...

then went back to hardly normal and they matched the price..
and took the old washing machine away...

[now I know what was faulty in it]??

Lee

I work for a small retail buisness which orders a lot of our stock from the US and we are suffering because of online ordering.We get people coming in to the store and we spend time to work out and advise the customer what they require,they try out the product and then go and buy the product on line.Problem is that if we close down who is going to repair the product if it breaks (are they going to send it back to the US).You might think "big deal"about big buisness but it is a "big deal" to small buisness.

i HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS A FEW EBAY SHOPS WHO PAID GST AS THEY WERE REGISTERED
AND THE GST WAS ADDED AFTER YOU WON IT...
and they told you all this...


I can't remember seeing any of those lately... on ebay..




The gst was included in the buy now price though I didn't see it mentioned on the ebay advert, not that it would have made any difference as it was a buy now. Is the big problem with the shop front stores the fact that there is no GST on on line purchases or just OS on line purchases, if on line purchases in Australia don't have GST then I reckon they have a legit complaint, praps I'll do some reserch.

poor OLD Billionaire Gerry Harvey.
fark they give you the shits , because every farkin week they are having a sale .