Online GST screws Aussie shoppers

[Black Orchid]

Online retail giant Amazon will block Australian consumers from its global sites to counter new laws to force it to collect the good and services tax on transactions.

From July 1 when the new GST regulations begin, Australian consumers shopping on Amazon international sites will be redirected to the local Australian site.

In a statement issued to the ABC, Amazon said it regretted the move and the inconvenience to customers accustomed to visiting Amazon's global online stores.

"We have had to assess the workability of the legislation as a global business with multiple international sites," a spokeswoman said.

Under the new GST collection laws beginning on July 1, online retailers like Amazon will be forced to apply the 10 per cent GST to goods purchased on international sites and shipped to Australia.

The GST collection requirement came after years of intense lobbying from local retailers in Australia such as Harvey Norman, Myer, JB Hi-Fi and David Jones, who have seen their traditional bricks and mortar sales suffer from online competitors.

Currently GST is applied to items bought overseas for more than $1,000.

It is understood that Amazon baulked at the massive administrative burden of tracking Australian GST from all overseas transactions.

Amazon is launching a global store accessible to Australian customers, where products from its retail site will be available.

In an email to customers today, the company said from July 1 it would redirect Australian shoppers from its international sites to amazon.com.au where products sold by Amazon US will be available on the new global store.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-31/a ... ia/9820224

Oh joy and I imagine Aussie Amazon's prices will be way way higher than Amazon proper. Why is it we are always being ripped off? Our idiot governments on both sides expect us to pay some of the highest prices in the world for utilities and goods and services yet they keep expanding our population with people who only want welfare.

It just doesn't make sense.

[Neferti]

I don't buy much online these days but I do recall years ago checking out Amazon for computer games and they didn't ship to Australia back then. I don't play computer games any longer, you download them these days anyway, and don't get the "box" to put on your bookcase.

I still buy some things from Myer online and with them closing stores, that is probably the only way you will be able to buy from Myer in the future.

[Black Orchid]

I buy my Nikes/Reeboks from Amazon because I like them and they are a third of the price there AND they post here.

[Neferti]

It probably sounds silly but I have never, ever bought or worn a pair of sneakers!

[Black Orchid]

Well I can't go to the gym in heels lol

[BigP]

Thats interesting, as the Labour government here is planning the same stratergy to force foreign retailers to collect GST from NZ purchasers

[Nom De Plume]

I'll be heading off to Hong Kong more often!

[Black Orchid]

Less choice and higher prices on Amazon from July but also from next year we have to pay more if we book hotel rooms on any non Australian site. What a rip off.

It really is ridiculous the high prices we are forced to suffer here.

[Gordon]

It probably sounds silly but I have never, ever bought or worn a pair of sneakers!

I buy runners from Gumtree all the time. Daughter and I burn thru about 4 or 5 pairs a year each and wife about 2.
There are loads which have been tried on, used once and sold as they don't fit properly. Usually get them for $50 instead of $200

[Gordon]

The drop shipping companies will do well. Gerry Harvey can continue to suck my fatone