Gerry Harvey’s calls for a GST on imported goods bought online has caught the attention of Australian IT retailer eStore, with eStore.com.au offering customers GST-free goods this weekend, 15 and 16 January 2011.
According to Lorenzo Coppa, Chief Executive Officer of eStore.com.au, the issue isn’t about the GST, it’s about consumers being savvier when it comes to finding the best deal and that deal is often online.
“Trading for nearly 20 years, we have continued to invest in our processes, improve our service, streamline our operations and kept our costs low whilst responding to the needs of our customers,” said Coppa. “It’s a tough market, but retailers have to adapt to survive. We’ve decided to offer Australians the opportunity to get a better deal on technology products this weekend, by offering a discount to the equivalent of the GST on every product sold.”
“We believe the future is online and that there is a strong trend of transactions moving from retail shops to online as it saves customers time and money,” added Coppa.
“Online retailers can definitely offer customers better deals especially since they have fewer overheads and can pass on significant savings to consumers. Online shopping also saves consumers time and gives them the added flexibility and convenience of shopping from the comfort of their home or office,” said Coppa.
However, Coppa adds that Australian consumers need to be wary when shopping online from overseas websites. “Consumers need to be aware the when buying certain types of products such as technology goods from overseas retailers, issues such as warranties, compliance with Australian standards and damage to the products while in transit which may not be honoured by overseas online stores may occur,” said Coppa.
To claim this discount GST-free this weekend, on 15 and 16 January, customers must enter ‘GSTFREE’ in the ‘coupon code’ box at the checkout on eStore.com.au.
To remain compliant with the Australian Taxation Office, eStore.com.au will pay the GST on customers’ behalf by discounting the invoice by the GST amount. For businesses purchasing products on eStore.com.au, GST is still paid so that businesses can claim the GST amount on the invoice.
