Whingeing retail billionaires and the 10% GST

[Trevor Wilson]

Rob wrote:

On 21/12/2010 1:35 PM, kreed wrote:
On Dec 21, 11:56 am, "Trevor Wilson"<tre...@rageaudio.com.au> wrote:
who where wrote:
On Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:36:54 +1100, "Trevor Wilson"
tre...@rageaudio.com.au> wrote:

**Whilst I applaud the sentiment, I doubt that the problem lies
only with retailers. Importers of certain high profile brands are
probably making very large profits.

Then shirley the Gerry Harveys should be street-smart enough to
threaten to bypass them and import direct (like K-Mart et al) if
they don't smarten up their pricing to him.

**Many successful retailers do just that. However, there is a point
where such a thing becomes very difficult to manage. If Hardly was
to import a large number of the brands he sells, he would be doing
several things: * Financially exposing the organisation to massive
overheads
(products are usually purchased on a 30 day account, whereas
importers must pay either when the product leaves port, or when it
arrives in store). * Warranty service (and the attendent stocking
of spares for several years) must be maintained.
* Service and technical people would need to be employed.
* Some importers may be pissed off and remove their products from
Hardly. This particularly applies to big, well advertised brands.
And this is very important. Guys like Sony, Panasonic, LG, Samsung,
et al advertise all over the planet. Local advertising may only
reach a small percentage of the population, whereas international
advertising may reach more people. --
Trevor Wilsonwww.rageaudio.com.au


With used equipment, If you have a registered company here and in
another country, (with better pricing than here)
you can get around the parallel import bullshit, by importing as
"transferring stock within the organisation"
Know someone who did this in the 1990s and made a lot of money out of
it, bypassing the rorts
in place that doubled the prices on the same gear.

Only reason he is not still doing it is that he retired .
Whether it can be done with "new" gear I don't know.


On the other hand It's also quite possible that the major retailers
are already getting excellent deals on
their imported products, and just not passing them on to the
consumer.

Two products I can compare are Asics running shoes, and Genuine Epson
printer inks.

Running Shoes are $260 inc GST here, yet $130 all taxes paid in a
regular store transaction in the US. Printer Inks $360 here inc GST
Same product in the US $220 regular price. Push bike parts are 1/2 to
1/3 less from the UK or US incl freight.

None of these products have been reduced by retailers to reflect the
Australian dollar value.

**Indeed, though blaming retailers (only) may not be apportioning the blame
appropriately. Importers have a slice of the pie too.

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

 

[Mr.T]

"Rob" <mesamine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4d103137@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

None of these products have been reduced by retailers to reflect the
Australian dollar value.

Right, but watch the prices go up if the Australian dollar starts to fall!

MrT.

 

[me here]

atec77 wrote:

On 21/12/2010 11:37 AM, who where wrote:
On Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:13:43 +1100, Clifford Heath


My son just ordered some fairly schmick leathers for his
bike-riding. Was over $1200 here in Oz, he's getting the
absolutely identical product from the USA for a tad over $500
including shipping.
I wonder where the saving is made if a locally made product or is it
an import made in china ?

Same thing with soccer gear.

I worked with a guy and he got all his kids soccer gear from UK.

He reconned it was half the price of the exact same thing here.

--

 

[atec77]

On 21/12/2010 5:40 PM, me here wrote:

atec77 wrote:

On 21/12/2010 11:37 AM, who where wrote:
On Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:13:43 +1100, Clifford Heath


My son just ordered some fairly schmick leathers for his
bike-riding. Was over $1200 here in Oz, he's getting the
absolutely identical product from the USA for a tad over $500
including shipping.
I wonder where the saving is made if a locally made product or is it
an import made in china ?

Same thing with soccer gear.

I worked with a guy and he got all his kids soccer gear from UK.

He reconned it was half the price of the exact same thing here.

Ok so bypassing the local people cuts a huge mark-up off

Couple of days ago the wife said she wanted a cloths steamer
I bought one locally at ebay price but had to drive 10k for it , the
local vacuum shop was 46% more for the same item which is puzzling
maybe the courier charges a lot ?

--
X-No-Archive: Yes

 

[Noodnik]

"nah" <not@home.com> wrote in message news:4d0ec43e$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

Hi all,
I've read Don's post and the replies upto this post and have the following
thoughts.

I understand where the retailers are coming from, they're saying that
their prices are going to be at least 10% higher as compared to personal
imports below $1k being gst free.

I understand also that local prices will be higher for the following
reasons: A retailer is just that, more often than not they are not the
manufacturer or importer so there may be 2 to 3 steps in the chain each
adding their costs and profit margin, and, part of those costs associated
with the requirements of state and federal law (ie the trade practices act
etc) ie warranty.

Now I would sympathise more with the retailers if they supported local
manufacturing even if their prices for doing that were higher. It's a two
way street, they want to maximise profits for shareholders but seems to
relogate their commitment to community and code of conduct or ethics to
the background. Just look at the amcor / qantas etc cartels - certainly no
ethics or commitment to community there.

You'd get a D- for offering this as a business management assignment. Don't

you think that proprietors have been round this loop many times in working
out a business model that will work? Some businesses bust a gut to support
local industry, other ones don't give a rats. Every one of them could
provide reasons why they operate the way they do.

<snip>

Greg

"Don McKenzie" <5V@2.5A> wrote in message
news:8n7g3kFi9bU1@mid.individual.net...
Whingeing retail billionaires and the 10% GST

I must have taken an extra dose of grumpy old man pills this morning, as
I just read:
http://www.smh.com.au/business/fury-at-online-gst-loophole-20101219-191zt.html

Fury at online GST loophole
Mathew Murphy
December 20, 2010

SNIP

 

[Rob]

On 21/12/2010 4:22 PM, Trevor Wilson wrote:

Rob wrote:
On 21/12/2010 1:35 PM, kreed wrote:
On Dec 21, 11:56 am, "Trevor Wilson"<tre...@rageaudio.com.au> wrote:
who where wrote:
On Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:36:54 +1100, "Trevor Wilson"
tre...@rageaudio.com.au> wrote:


Whether it can be done with "new" gear I don't know.


On the other hand It's also quite possible that the major retailers
are already getting excellent deals on
their imported products, and just not passing them on to the
consumer.

Two products I can compare are Asics running shoes, and Genuine Epson
printer inks.

Running Shoes are $260 inc GST here, yet $130 all taxes paid in a
regular store transaction in the US. Printer Inks $360 here inc GST
Same product in the US $220 regular price. Push bike parts are 1/2 to
1/3 less from the UK or US incl freight.

None of these products have been reduced by retailers to reflect the
Australian dollar value.

**Indeed, though blaming retailers (only) may not be apportioning the blame
appropriately. Importers have a slice of the pie too.

We have a retailer, who imports, increase his prices about 3 years ago
when the dollar was low, never seen him reduce the stuff since. I have
kept the catalogues over a few years so I'm able to compare them.

When the GST was introduced companies had a price increase to cover
there "losses" prior to it being introduced.

We had a price increase in electricity at the end of last year, prior
to, what was thought, the introduction of a carbon tax so it would not
show up as an added tax.

 

[Mr.T]

"Noodnik" <Noodnik@NotHere.com> wrote in message
news:3qadnY6WTsgeA43QnZ2dnUVZ7rOdnZ2d@westnet.com.au...

Some businesses bust a gut to support
local industry, other ones don't give a rats. Every one of them could
provide reasons why they operate the way they do.

The ones that don't give a rats seem to outnumber the others by far IME. And
if THEY don't support local industry, then it's simply hypocritical to
whinge about consumers not doing so. Of course that's nothing new!

Frankly I'm happy to buy imported goods since they buy our minerals and
primary produce. And I'm happier to buy from a local shop than import from
overseas, IF their greed is not TOO excessive. Paying double what you can
import it for though is excessive IMO, and far too common.

MrT.

 

[Mr.T]

"Rob" <mesamine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4d111bbf$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

We had a price increase in electricity at the end of last year, prior
to, what was thought, the introduction of a carbon tax so it would not
show up as an added tax.

Nope, we have price increases on electricity EVERY year, and it has nothing
to do with a carbon tax. The price WILL increase again (and show up as an
added tax) whenever a carbon tax is introduced. Shame we couldn't spend
$43Billion on a national alternative energy scheme rather than an NBN
though.
I won't be paying $60 a month connection fee as is proposed, and I'm sure
others will just switch to wireless phone and broadband as well.
Another white elephant at taxpayer expense. Why the hell do we privatise
everything AND still expect the taxpayer to foot the infrastructure costs?

MrT.

 

[Rob]

On 22/12/2010 3:48 PM, Mr.T wrote:

"Rob"<mesamine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4d111bbf$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
We had a price increase in electricity at the end of last year, prior
to, what was thought, the introduction of a carbon tax so it would not
show up as an added tax.

Nope, we have price increases on electricity EVERY year, and it has nothing
to do with a carbon tax. The price WILL increase again (and show up as an
added tax) whenever a carbon tax is introduced. Shame we couldn't spend
$43Billion on a national alternative energy scheme rather than an NBN
though.

We had a 25% increase end of last year

I won't be paying $60 a month connection fee as is proposed, and I'm sure
others will just switch to wireless phone and broadband as well.
Another white elephant at taxpayer expense. Why the hell do we privatise
everything AND still expect the taxpayer to foot the infrastructure costs?

MrT.

 

[Rob]

How many Australian Manufactured Items does Harvey Norman stores stock
in support Australian Industry?

 

[Gillard = Rudd in a frock]

On Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:38:20 +1100, Rob <mesamine@gmail.com> wrote:

How many Australian Manufactured Items does Harvey Norman stores stock
in support Australian Industry?

In the type of retail he is in, how many such articles are made in
Australia?
>

 

[kreed]

On Dec 22, 2:48 pm, "Mr.T" <MrT@home> wrote:

"Rob" <mesam...@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:4d111bbf$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

We had a price increase in electricity at the end of last year,  prior
to, what was thought, the introduction of a carbon tax so it would not
show up as an added tax.

Nope, we have price increases on electricity EVERY year, and it has nothing
to do with a carbon tax. The price WILL increase again (and show up as an
added tax) whenever a carbon tax is introduced. Shame we couldn't spend
$43Billion on a national alternative energy scheme rather than an NBN
though.

Why bother ? Our energy systems work fine as they are right now.
Got enough coal to last for centuries, one of the cheapest ways to
make electricity
If there isn't enough capacity, then build more power stations.


The NBN will no doubt be "censorship ready", and probably able to
track everything people do online
much more efficiently than what we have now (which works fine for the
majority of people).
Find the troublemakers, send the stazi around to deal with them


As for the electricity bills going up again, already happening in QLD

http://www.couriermail.com.au/money/queenslanders-set-to-be-slugged-with-an-extra-60-charge-each-year-on-power-bills/comments-e6freqoo-1225974709236?pg=2

I won't be paying $60 a month connection fee as is proposed, and I'm sure
others will just switch to wireless phone and broadband as well.
Another white elephant at taxpayer expense. Why the hell do we privatise
everything AND still expect the taxpayer to foot the infrastructure costs?

MrT.

I dont know about capital cities, but wireless is too expensive if you
want to download files, or download any significant amount of data (if
you are in Australia that is).

You really need fixed connection if you want to do that.


We are made to pay for this stuff that because these interests that
end up with these assets on the cheap when its 'privatised"
own and control both major parties via donations, media and other
influence., which is why most decisions are made for these people,
not for the average person.
The individual is just there to foot the bill for all these grubs.

 

[kreed]

On Dec 22, 2:39 pm, "Mr.T" <MrT@home> wrote:

"Noodnik" <Nood...@NotHere.com> wrote in message

news:3qadnY6WTsgeA43QnZ2dnUVZ7rOdnZ2d@westnet.com.au...

Some businesses bust a gut to support
local industry, other ones don't give a rats. Every one of them could
provide reasons why they operate the way they do.

The ones that don't give a rats seem to outnumber the others by far IME. And
if THEY don't support local industry, then it's simply hypocritical to
whinge about consumers not doing so. Of course that's nothing new!

most people are hypocrites.

Frankly I'm happy to buy imported goods since they buy our minerals and
primary produce. And I'm happier to buy from a local shop than import from
overseas, IF their greed is not TOO excessive. Paying double what you can
import it for though is excessive IMO, and far too common.

MrT.

Agree

 

[Mr.T]

"Rob" <mesamine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4d11a957@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

We had a 25% increase end of last year

And you'll get another one next year.

MrT.

 

[Mr.T]

"kreed" <kenreed1999@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2124dc38-4e0d-4e61-9442-747af4b9a616@u9g2000pra.googlegroups.com...

Why bother ? Our energy systems work fine as they are right now.
Got enough coal to last for centuries, one of the cheapest ways to
make electricity
If there isn't enough capacity, then build more power stations.

Exactly, they don't "work fine as they are" because they have not increased
generating capacity to meet demand. With global emmission targets,
continuing to build coal fired power stations is not gonna happen. Carbon
capture and seqestration is only a pipe dream, and it would probably be
cheaper to invest in solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, or even nuclear.
Let's face it, it's a lot easier to live without high speed internet than
electricity!

As for the electricity bills going up again, already happening in QLD

As everywhere, and will continue to outpace inflation (in fact will help
drive inflation) by a considerable margin, for a long time to come.

I dont know about capital cities, but wireless is too expensive if you
want to download files, or download any significant amount of data (if
you are in Australia that is).

Stop downloading movies and you are fine. I just borrow DVD's from the
council library instead, since I can't avoid council rates.

We are made to pay for this stuff that because these interests that
end up with these assets on the cheap when its 'privatised"
own and control both major parties via donations, media and other
influence., which is why most decisions are made for these people,
not for the average person.
The individual is just there to foot the bill for all these grubs.

Exactly my point.

MrT.

 

[Mr.T]

"Rob" <mesamine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4d11b8ff$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

How many Australian Manufactured Items does Harvey Norman stores stock
in support Australian Industry?

Pretty close to zero I would think from my visits.

MrT.

 

[Mr.T]

"Gillard = Rudd in a frock" <flatulantdingo@deadspam.com> wrote in message
news:h8f3h65g38sltjma2at3s8grkibmefo0q7@4ax.com...

On Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:38:20 +1100, Rob <mesamine@gmail.com> wrote:

How many Australian Manufactured Items does Harvey Norman stores stock
in support Australian Industry?

In the type of retail he is in, how many such articles are made in
Australia?

Not many, but that's partly because of shops like his stocking the cheaper
imports for decades. Not that I'd want to pay 3 or 4 times as much for
electrical items like was the case in the 60's when we did have a
manufacturing industry.
In any case you can't have it both ways unless you are a rich hypocritical
asshole like Gerry Harvey!

MrT.

 

[Gillard = Rudd in a frock]

On Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:39:29 +1100, "Mr.T" <MrT@home> wrote:

"Rob" <mesamine@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4d11b8ff$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
How many Australian Manufactured Items does Harvey Norman stores stock
in support Australian Industry?

Pretty close to zero I would think from my visits.

A fair bit of the furniture seems still to be made in Oz.

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2010-12-21, me here <gloaming_agnet@hotmail.com> wrote:

Being 12 volt and low amperage it's unlikely you would feel a tingle.

It depends mostly how damp your hands are.

--
⚂⚃ 100% natural

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---

 

[T.T.]

"SNIP

In any case you can't have it both ways unless you are a rich hypocritical
asshole like Gerry Harvey!
Why are you using an imported pejorative?