They're stating that "jobs will be at risk" if the Australian Government does not impose a GST on overseas internet purchases. It seems that as Aussie shoppers take their purchases overseas they are creating an "uneven playing field".
It seems that the Internet has caused "problems" for retailers. It seems to me that it's given us more options & loosened the hold that our retail stores have on us.
I'm not a financial expert by any means but if Aussies can get the same product from overseas for a better price why wouldn't we?
I'm a girl who loves to buy local, & support my local economy, but if I can get the exact same product for $50 rather than paying $90 - INCLUDING postage - I'm going to buy overseas!
One of the big arguments I've heard is that, for example, some of the products we're looking at buying online are imported by the USA, UK & Australia - from Asia - however the prices are sometimes double or more in Australia. Why is this? The goods have further to go? Aren't we closer to Asia than the USA? (The word Australasia comes to mind).
PERFECT EXAMPLE - COSMETICS
The perfect example for overpricing that we all know too well is Cosmetics & Fragrances.
Let's put two leading Australian & American makeup boutiques head to head:
meccacosmetica.com.au Too Faced Liquif-Eye Eye Transformer = $32.95 AU
sephora.com Too Faced Liquif-Eye Eye Transformer = $18 USmeccacosmetica.com.au Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer = $52.95 AUsephora.com Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer = $36.95 USmeccacosmetica.com.au NARS Firming Foundation = $115 AUsephora.com NARS Firming Foundation = $50 USSephora is not known as the cheapest cosmetics store in the USA so I'm sure you could find these products even cheaper in the if you searched, but this alone shows how ramped up our prices are.
Okay maybe there are other costs that I as a consumer do not know about, but until Retailers lay all their cards on the table & tell us how they come to their prices (we all know that's not going to happen) what on earth we are meant to think? Either way I don't think the cost of importing the same product would be that much higher.
COME ON AUSSIE RETAILERS!
Wake up & smell the coffee. Times have changed. Not only are shoppers getting smarter.... Overseas retailers are cleverly AIMING their promotions toward us & enticing us to buy from them. Instead of winging about it, how about doing something about it & become competitive. Entice us back!
Give us a reason NOT to purchase overseas, because I'm sure you will find that we'd go directly to your store if the prices were not so obviously created out of greed & profit.
- YOU'RE the ones who need to create the "even playing field" & adapt to the retail climate.
- YOU'VE been on easy street for years now, how about rising to the challenge??????
Last but not least DON'T THREATEN US ABOUT AUSTRALIANS LOSING JOBS. YOUR profits are enormous & that's all you are concerned about. NOT JOBS.
That's my rant. :-)
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3 comments:
Yep, so sick of it, we get ripped off big time, and hell the customer service in a lot of places leaves much to be desired!!!
I love how everyone is coming out and talking about this. Gerry & Co no doubt thought the Australian public was stupid enough to be scared into submission with the threat of job losses, but almost no one has sided with them. It's fantastic!
@Jadegrrrl, you're right! Customer service should be the 1st priority but for a lot of retailers it's the last.
@Dee, it's great isn't it?????? :D
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