Buying online GST free

[Dirko]

A small but quick example of the mark ups, that these shops and others make.

The reusable shopping bags we now have to use, are made in China. They are invoiced in their 100's of 1000's, at a cost of less then a cent per bag.

They then sell them to us at $1 per bag.

They roughly make 90-95 cents per bag on every sale (take out duties and other costs).

So who's ripping us off ?

[Drop Bear]

A small but quick example of the mark ups, that these shops and others make.

The reusable shopping bags we now have to use, are made in China. They are invoiced in their 100's of 1000's, at a cost of less then a cent per bag.

They then sell them to us at $1 per bag.

They roughly make 90-95 cents per bag on every sale (take out duties and other costs).

So who's ripping us off ?

I've always said it's not about the environment that's for damn sure.
Corporate Greed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Psyber]

That's true too.
Biodegradable bags were already available to replace the ones they were giving out,, and if purchased in bulk they were as affordable - not "too expensive" as claimed.
So the chains chose to pretend to go "Green" and instead sell us - at a huge mark up - "re-usable" [and even less biodegradable] bags, which we all now have so many of we are going to have to start throwing them away.

And of course governments pretending to be "Green" too were happy to back them by banning the plastic ones without pushing for the adoption of the biodegradable ones.
[Does anyone smell contributions to party funds here?]

[tipper]

I notice that Mr Harvey is now claiming that we should all pay the higher prices as the extra taxes are for "the good of the nation" so how much extra tax does Mr Harvey pay that he doesnt have to? i never realised that all the millions of dollars he makes he gives straight back to those less fortunate than himself.........

[Zelezny Chucks]

Why does anyone pay any attention to him? He is clearly acting in his own interests just ignore the old coot.

[wycbloods]

post of the year

It is only early

[Dirko]

Here's another example and both are from Apple....

U.S only $499 & Australia only $629

[Psyber]

I've been finding a similar issues between Adelaide and Melbourne.
In the last 12 months I've found tyres, business cards, and recently a computer, were far less expensive in Melbourne than Adelaide.
I'll need to look up my records to check, but my car rego and third party here looks steep compared with what I recall it being there too.

[Mickyj]

I look at it this way .If I want a product and its cheaper I'll buy it where I want .

[Psyber]

I look at it this way .If I want a product and its cheaper I'll buy it where I want .

Me too.
In fairness I think the GST should apply to all goods and services, but I can't see that it can be effectively enforced.
Since it is only 10% it wouldn't move people back to Harvey Norman etc. anyway - it wouldn't make enough difference.
This is just a peg on which the retailers group want to hang a claim for protective tariffs that they didn't care about while Australian manufacturing was dying.

[Gingernuts]

I reckon Gerry Harvey better be very careful here. I can foresee quite a consumer backlash against him if he doesn't shut his trap soon.

The funniest thing is he's probably promoted online purchasing to a whole new market through this campaign. I'm sure there's heaps of people out there going "What?? I can get stuff cheaper online than at Harvey Norman?? I'd better check this out!"

[GWW]

Yes, sounds like he's regretting it:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/brea ... 5983360633

[Gingernuts]

Yes, sounds like he's regretting it:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/brea ... 5983360633

Still planning to fight according to this one:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/gerry-harvey-retreats-from-war-on-online-shopper/story-e6frea6u-1225983522956

[White Line Fever]

I reckon Gerry Harvey better be very careful here. I can foresee quite a consumer backlash against him if he doesn't shut his trap soon.

The funniest thing is he's probably promoted online purchasing to a whole new market through this campaign. I'm sure there's heaps of people out there going "What?? I can get stuff cheaper online than at Harvey Norman?? I'd better check this out!"

Precisely.
All my workmates have been talking about all the things we buy on the net and comparing and even myself the last few days have been price checking.

[Magpiespower]

Page one from the SMH today...

http://www.smh.com.au/business/harvey-hurt-by-buyer-backlash-20110106-19hjx.html

"You might have got a nasty phone call or a letter back in the old days..."

Gerry, we're not in Kansas anymore!

[southee]

I went to Myer today and was asked by a shop assistant "Can I help you?"....I nearly fell over and died!!!

Maybe the big guys have listened??

[Gozu]

Gerry Harvey in late 2008, "Why online retailing is a dead-end: Gerry Harvey":

Harvey Norman is being walloped by the downturn. But billionaire founder Gerry Harvey still refuses to consider online retailing, dismissing it as a dead-end for businesses. He predicts it will not make any money for entrepreneurs and says he will not be putting any more money into it.

Harvey told SmartCompany this morning that he will not be making any radical changes to strategy and that his retail chain Harvey Norman will continue to perform well despite the downturn.

Despite a growing number of Australians purchasing goods over the internet, he says online retailing is “a complete waste of time”.

“I’ve got an online part of my business, but I definitely would not put more into it. That’d be a recipe for a disaster.”

“Online people do not make any money,” Harvey also told SmartCompany. “The whole world was conned with online retailing. People say I’m a dinosaur, and I’ve had people coming to me with sites and saying, ‘Oh, look at this, they have 10,000 or 20,000 hits!’ – but it’s a con, a complete con.”

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/w ... arvey.html

[fish]

I can't recall seeing any Australian made stuff the last time I was in Harvey Norman.

[mighty_tiger_79]

http://video.adelaidenow.com.au/1724867 ... -go-policy

[The Apostle]

A couple of examples:

You can get a "Made In China" Led Lenser X21 LED torch here in Adelaide for $599.95 or $499.95 if on special. You can purchase the same torch on the Net direct from the States for $280 + $20 postage...

I'm a shooter and you should see the prices for some brands over here. One rifle i've always wanted retails for $1900 here. In the States the RRP is $950... I've been told by people on the Net in the States that they can get that rifle for sub $850...