Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
Nov 23rd 2010, 11:49 pm
#31
Tribu dei Chihuahua
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
not me...
Nov 23rd 2010, 11:50 pm
#32
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
I found out yesterday that SA has the largest number of German immigrants in the whole country, for historical reasons. There are actually rather a lot of Germans in the state.
No wonder the public transport is as good as you say it is - it's probably organised by Germans.
No wonder the public transport is as good as you say it is - it's probably organised by Germans.
Nov 23rd 2010, 11:58 pm
#33
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
I looked for a bus for my brother today, couldn't make head nor tail of the west yorkshire bus routes. In SA I type in where I want to start and where I want to be and it tells me what buses to get...not so in the UK 
I ended up giving him 6 pound to get home in a taxi (only 3k away!) as there didn't seem to be a bus that went past the place he needed to be.
And yes, I know that's nothing to do with globilisation, but the UK isn't all that as I have fonud out this week. In fact, it's a dump and it's so not cheap! I've spent over 1,500 so far and I've been here a week! and that's not dollars, that's pounds!
I ended up giving him 6 pound to get home in a taxi (only 3k away!) as there didn't seem to be a bus that went past the place he needed to be.And yes, I know that's nothing to do with globilisation, but the UK isn't all that as I have fonud out this week. In fact, it's a dump and it's so not cheap! I've spent over 1,500 so far and I've been here a week! and that's not dollars, that's pounds!
Nov 24th 2010, 12:03 am
#34
Fighting my corner
Joined: Aug 2005
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
Gerry Harvey of Harvey Horman is whining because his $1.4 billion fortune is being adversely affected by Australians who go online to find a better deal. People go online because much of the stuff in Australia is quite expensive, especially books which are totally unaffordable. The reason for this is the massive house price inflation.
Currently you can buy up to $1000 worth of goods without paying import duty, but if a tax were to be introduced that raised the price of online goods to those of the local market how would it affect you? Should this guy shut up or is he justified?
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/busi...-1225959734340
Currently you can buy up to $1000 worth of goods without paying import duty, but if a tax were to be introduced that raised the price of online goods to those of the local market how would it affect you? Should this guy shut up or is he justified?
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/busi...-1225959734340
Memo to Mr Norman: if you can't maintain a profitable enterprise under typical market conditions, perhaps you shouldn't be in business.
Nov 24th 2010, 12:03 am
#35
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
I can't help agreeing with you here Renth. Perhaps if he were to make his business a little more competitive, then he may find it less of a shock.
And of course, this doesn't just go for Harvey Norman - My perception is that many traders charge over the odds for goods and services - well certainly for the things that I am buying - and being able to purchase overseas is a valid avenue for obtaining goods at a cheaper rate. I suspect that for many things, an additional 10% will still mean it's cheaper overseas.
Interesting how the Labour government seems very unwilling to regulate interest rate rises by the banks, yet, where consumers are getting a win by purchasing overseas, it's suddenly of paramount importance that we restrict free trade with additional duties. Interesting double faced approach...
S
And of course, this doesn't just go for Harvey Norman - My perception is that many traders charge over the odds for goods and services - well certainly for the things that I am buying - and being able to purchase overseas is a valid avenue for obtaining goods at a cheaper rate. I suspect that for many things, an additional 10% will still mean it's cheaper overseas.
Interesting how the Labour government seems very unwilling to regulate interest rate rises by the banks, yet, where consumers are getting a win by purchasing overseas, it's suddenly of paramount importance that we restrict free trade with additional duties. Interesting double faced approach...
S
Nov 24th 2010, 12:06 am
#36
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
Nov 24th 2010, 12:08 am
#37
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
Typical private sector. Bashing the government one day; begging for taxpayer handouts and anti-competitive legislation the next.
Memo to Mr Norman: if you can't maintain a profitable enterprise under typical market conditions, perhaps you shouldn't be in business.
Memo to Mr Norman: if you can't maintain a profitable enterprise under typical market conditions, perhaps you shouldn't be in business.
I presumed this was just a rant, but what if he gets what he wishes for and they slap a nice 15% on online goods and services?
Nov 24th 2010, 12:10 am
#38
has lost The Game
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
Shorten considers taxing web shoppers
Imported goods worth less than $1000 are exempt from the GST. The government asked the independent Board of Taxation to examine the threshold early this year, but the board said reducing the threshold was not ''administratively feasible''.
However the Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten, told the Herald that the government would still consider doing something.
The ''government understands the concerns of retailers and other stakeholders about this issue, particularly in light of the high Australian dollar,'' Mr Shorten said. ''It deserves serious examination and, while the threshold is good for consumers, we need to balance that against the interests of retailers and the administrative burden on businesses.''
However the Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten, told the Herald that the government would still consider doing something.
The ''government understands the concerns of retailers and other stakeholders about this issue, particularly in light of the high Australian dollar,'' Mr Shorten said. ''It deserves serious examination and, while the threshold is good for consumers, we need to balance that against the interests of retailers and the administrative burden on businesses.''
S
Nov 24th 2010, 12:10 am
#39
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
Well, they can have it. I am so over this place already I'm seriously considering seeing if my flight back can be changed. It's only my family that's really stopping me, cos I feel guilty even thinking of leaving early.
Nov 24th 2010, 12:14 am
#40
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
Today's SMH - Bill Shorten (assistant Treasurer) says that the government will still consider doing something, and that "This deserves serious examination"
Shorten considers taxing web shoppers
Perhaps paramount importance was going a bit far though
S
Shorten considers taxing web shoppers
Perhaps paramount importance was going a bit far though
S
Nov 24th 2010, 12:17 am
#41
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Location: Ilukapool. WA
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
To be honest if they put this on books then I will have to resort having my family buy them all and send them over as gifts, etc. In fact if they put this on anything I will be pretty angry. How much influence does this Harvey guy have over the Labor Party? Does he have photographs of cabinet members in compromising positions or something? His suggestion is ridiculous and shouldn't be considered by anyone.
Nov 24th 2010, 12:19 am
#42
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
http://www.metrojourneyplanner.info/...JourneyPlan.do
Seems the same?
I guess its just what you are used to...I tried the Adelaide one the other week and thought it was rubbish!
Nov 24th 2010, 12:20 am
#43
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
Today's SMH - Bill Shorten (assistant Treasurer) says that the government will still consider doing something, and that "This deserves serious examination"
Shorten considers taxing web shoppers
Perhaps paramount importance was going a bit far though
S
Shorten considers taxing web shoppers
Perhaps paramount importance was going a bit far though
S
It's a pain that Europe has already introduced this. Sometimes I would like to buy stuff using my UK credit card (as I still have some pounds) but that means paying an extra 15% compared to using my Aussie credit card.
Nov 24th 2010, 12:21 am
#44
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
I suspect you're right. Making Australia even less competitive doesn't seem very bright to me, but the right of one billionaire funder to get richer outweighs the rights of millions of people to a fair price in the market.
Nov 24th 2010, 12:22 am
#45
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Re: Billionaire Gerry Harvey whines about internet and wants a tax on online shopping
He makes me laugh when he says that internet sales have little affect on his sales - small electronics, phones, laptops, cameras make up a lot of HN's retail space - the very stuff that people are buying on the internet. So he is talking out of his arse.
I know Australian retail is pretty backward but I am really surprised that a major Aussie retailer like Woolworths, Westfarmers etc have not started an Amazon/Tesco/Walmart type internet site - I reckon they would make a killing.