Overseas clubs just got more expensive!

[Ferrins]

Less than $1000 GST free on orders is no more.

[Grunt]

So how will the retailers whinge and whine now? 10% is nothing when the prices are 25-50% cheaper.

[Daves]

Less than $1000 GST free on orders is no more.

Not for another 2 years is what I read, July 2017 introduction. Watch the back peddling when they try to implement it I reckon.

[backintheswing]

Won't affect buying off golfwrx or putter talk so I am sweet

[Ron Burgundy]

Doesn't start until 2017 though and God only knows how they'll ever enforce it.

[Ferrins]

My bag is set so doesn't bother me.

[Grunt]

Wonder if retailers will offer staff penalty rates back now they have got what they wanted. Just heard some guys from the Retailers Association on the radio saying how this is not enough. What are they going to ban imports and only they can import and mark up stupidly.

[Daves]

We shall name it the Gerry buys another stable tax.

[timah!]

Who's up for buying 100 $1 items and watching them enforce it?

[timah!]

Anyway, we have 1.5 years to stockpile now! Haha.

[coalesce]

That's about 4 cycles of Callaway gear

[Pencil]

"Treasury has confirmed it has done no modelling on the economic impact of applying the GST to overseas online purchases under $1000."

Doesn't this defeat the purpose, yes you keep retailers a little happier but run the risk that administration costs outweigh any income made. Geniuses

[BenM]

I'm sure that that's always been the argument against the threshold. Ridiculous.

Oh well; I am going to try and take comfort in two things, one - it sounds like they're going to expect overseas retailers to charge it and I can't see how they'll compel a 3Balls or a ProClubs to do it. Two, with the exchange rate how it is it is less attractive to buy from overseas anyway.

What a shit week for competition, first the ACCC aren't opposing the TPG buyout of iiNet and now this. Australian consumers really do get a raw deal.

[3Puttpete]

Who's up for buying 100 $1 items and watching them enforce it?

Me

[timah!]

Me

Group buy?

[Jarro]

I'm sweet as long as Perci keeps the bargains coming.

[3Puttpete]

Group buy?

Definitely not

[Chapzzzz]

I would think it only applies to New items...

[solarbear]

That's about 4 cycles of Callaway gear

And about 36 cycles of TM.

None of this solves the problem of how retailers are supposed to exist in Australia where they have to pay huge rents and wages. Instead of having an intelligent discussion and plan to support retailing into the future we get band aid patches that solve nothing.

Oddly, our on course shops are much healthier than in the USA where big chains and ebay have wiped them out. None of the 3 clubs I played at had golf sticks in their pro shop, just clothing and shoes.