verystormy

Pollyana

I am still struggling to see how you can bring Belsen into this.

spouse of scouse

So you're saying that the people who've had a chat on this thread about shopping would not only stand happily by while tens of thousands of men, women and children were murdered, but they're self delusional liars as well? Nice

Pollyana

How to make friends and influence people.......

scrubbedexpat020

Here's where I'm different to you because Mum told me to be civil as it costs me nothing. I would have apologised before continuing the diatribe against big business, comrade.

I agree with what you're saying - there's been enough about it in the papers - but it's typical of a country undergoing their industrial revolution and things will get better: we no longer pay for a 5yo to sweep the chimney. If we did, what would happen to the 5yo if we didn't pay for the chimney to be swept? Progress has collateral damage, but as time goes by more and more people benefit.

If you are a true believer I hope you don't have anything made in China in the house. Good luck with taking the electronics away from the kids.

Beoz

Chrome on Android here.

Beoz

How about you try this? Amazon employ half a million. Take Amazon away and there's half a million without the means to buy necessities and most importantly for all ...... pay tax.

BTW. You probably should up your research saying Amazon pays no tax. Tax laws are there to be tested. We all do it every time we file a tax return. Why do you think Amazon should be treated differently to anyone else?

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/08/1...zon-taxes.html

old.sparkles

Didn't edit the post - just fixed the link. (hopefully)

Do you use the 'add link' or just copy and paste? I can add the info to the issues thread to make sure it is on the to-do list

IBJoel

Testing links on Chrome/Android
https://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?node=14981443011&ref=navm_em_0_1_0_8_music
EDIT: OK, pretty interesting. I did a simple copy/paste on mobile and it was regular text. I Clicked "Edit" and "Save" (nothing else) and it changed into a link.
EDIT 2: Looks now like a DOUBLE link. I know Amazon is fussy on vBulletin, but I'll keep testing and report to tech.

staticmelt

Isn't it a good thing that GST will be charged on imports?

Online retailers already have a massive advantage over bricks and mortar shops due to both efficiencies and corporate tax evasion.

Previously allowing online retailers to sell goods without GST seems madness.

Our high streets will be dead in the future if we allow that to continue, and thousands of jobs will be lost.

We have to allow high street retailers (including independents) to be able to operate on a level playing field. Introducing GST on imports is a small step towards that.

GarryP

Nope, basically because it means there will be a 10% margin for the more dodgy providers to exploit, meaning more people getting ripped off. In the end most will get around it to remain competitive. Best idea is to get rid of GST (which is why they will probably try to extend it).

High streets are already dead, but because of extortionate rents and costs, rather than GST.

Trying to extract GST from imports just makes things worse for everyone. Bricks and mortar is already dead, the customer gets extorted even higher costs, and those that avoid the attempt at extraterritorial GST win out.

staticmelt

High streets are clearly not already dead.

The Australian online retail market isn't as advanced as other countries. I can still go to the city centre to buy electronics etc, unlike in many cities in the uk.

Yes, online retailers already have an advantage due to efficiencies, so it would be crazy to allow them another 10% advantage.

Worse for everybody?

How does it make it worse for bricks and mortar shops? It doesn't.

How does it make it worse for the nation, that needs taxes to pay for services? It doesn't.

If there's a problem regarding GST evasion (as you say will happen), then the solution should be to clamp down on this, not to open the floodgates.

Amazulu

There can never be a level playing field - economic reality sees to that. B&M can only compete on offering things that online can't - convenience, specialisation, speed etc

What the feds have done is silly but if they are going to charge GST on personal imports, this is the way to do it - unlike the pathetic system they have in the UK

Consumption taxes are one the best forms of taxation, so GST should be double what it is now with income taxes substantially reduced, but it will never happen as governments use income tax rebates and exemptions to buy votes - and to hell with fiscal drag and inefficiency

scrubbedexpat020

I thought I wasn't allowed to access Amazon US? I've just been on it and asked it to show me stuff that can be shipped to Aus. Anybody being redirected to Aus?

GarryP

Can I also point out that http://camelcamelcamel.com was working on the Amazon AU site a few days ago. Seems to be broken at the moment, but I'm sure it will be back soon.