Changes to Amazon US/UK Shipping Due to GST Changes in Australia

[PsyTrix]

This is HUGE

I buy almost all my Blu's from overseas. The backlash to this is going to be massive. Stupid f!*$ing Australian government.

Hopefully all the commotion this causes will make them backtrack on this whole pathetic Gerry Harvey idea.

[Alister_M]

I guess we'll find out on July 1, assuming that's when they're launching the "global store"... the browser on my laptop seems to have a proxy already because when I go to WowHD it always says "you appear to be accessing WowHD.co.nz from the United States" so I might still be able to fool it

[Adster81]

Originally Posted by PsyTrix

This is HUGE

I buy almost all my Blu's from overseas. The backlash to this is going to be massive. Stupid f!*$ing Australian government.

Hopefully all the commotion this causes will make them backtrack on this whole pathetic Gerry Harvey idea.

Never gonna happen never will backtrack out of this and once it is in it is in, just like when GST first came in 18 years ago. something the liberals lied about too with Johnny that he wouldn't bring it in.

[Mobe1969]

UK as well? XXXX the government. And stuff Amazon. Their damn system is setup to collect tax based on a destination, from day one. It is something they have to deal with internally. Australia is just another destination. Not to mention your checkout screen shows the fields for extra tax to be collected.

[jay166]

Got my $20 voucher as well... cannot believe this is happening in 2018.

Originally Posted by dylserx

Who does this even leave for us to get US / Uk releases from... only one I can think of that I use other than those is Zavvi, but even then its super occasional

Zavvi may well do the same thing.

[dylserx]

Originally Posted by jay166

Got my $20 voucher as well... cannot believe this is happening in 2018.



Zavvi may well do the same thing.

I've asked them directly on twitter, maybe they will answer aha

[jay166]

Assuming the "Global Store" will function similarly to the way it does in the UK as well...

If you look at this listing for The Insider on Blu, you'll see the Global Store logo on a listing where the title is shipped directly from the US to the UK address. Obviously does not work from Australia in this example, but would be similar functionality when its active here...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?url=searc...ds=the+insider

[dylserx]

Ohhhh no I just realised how expensive criterion will be now noooooooo!

[jay166]

Originally Posted by dylserx

I've asked them directly on twitter, maybe they will answer aha

I'd be curious to know what there plan is... I have purchased a couple of steels from them in the past, and they sell Region B titles which would be handy if I can't get them from amazon.co.uk

[fuzzymctiger]

I'm hoping this doesn't make the labels stop shipping direct as well. 10% tax sucks, but I would much rather pay an extra 10% than completely lose access

[Futurhythm]

Originally Posted by Alister_M

I guess we'll find out on July 1, assuming that's when they're launching the "global store"... the browser on my laptop seems to have a proxy already because when I go to WowHD it always says "you appear to be accessing WowHD.co.nz from the United States" so I might still be able to fool it

Originally Posted by jay166

Assuming the "Global Store" will function similarly to the way it does in the UK as well...

If you look at this listing for The Insider on Blu, you'll see the Global Store logo on a listing where the title is shipped directly from the US to the UK address. Obviously does not work from Australia in this example, but would be similar functionality when its active here...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?url=searc...ds=the+insider

The Global Store is already active on local Amazon, but there's hardly anything (I would buy) on it. It's a relief to see US imports on the UK version, but don't we have some bullshit laws prohibiting local retailers from selling imported movies here? I can only assume the Amazon Global Store will be treated as an Australian retailer and won't be able to sell imported movies.

[jay166]

Originally Posted by Futurhythm

The Global Store is already active on local Amazon, but there's hardly anything (I would buy) on it. It's a relief to see US imports on the UK version, but don't we have some bullshit laws prohibiting local retailers from selling imported movies here? I can only assume the Amazon Global Store will be treated as an Australian retailer and won't be able to sell imported movies.

I didn't even realise it was active already - the list of products must be small.

I don't think there is a law prohibiting selling imported movies. Amazon AUS actually does sell overseas releases already, but only through third parties and not Amazon Fulfillment itself - see Killing of a Sacred Deer listing below, with no Blu release of this locally.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Killing-Sa...7&sr=8-1-spell

[jay166]

The other issue with Global Store purchasing is that it seems to only feature listings from US products... not the Amazon UK.

[dylserx]

Yeh i noticed there is no Amazon Global listings in the movie category.

Well just used my $20 voucher for the last day of the B1G1F sale,

[Blueherring]

Originally Posted by fuzzymctiger

I'm hoping this doesn't make the labels stop shipping direct as well. 10% tax sucks, but I would much rather pay an extra 10% than completely lose access

This is my concern, i buy from Eureka and Arrow in UK regularly and directly.
Will they have to stop shipping here? I'm guessing either they will or they will have to charge GST, which i am fine with, however if Amazon don't even want to do it, how are these small guys going to charge and collect GST for the Gov with their smaller setups...

I am starting to worry how will we access boutique labels that don't have outlets or retailers here in Aus... that is my main reason for buying online in the first place due to the lack of products available here not because of price.

[BIGRED1977]

This is my concern dude

[SGB]

*Bangs head on desk repeatedly in anger and frustration*

What a freakin' mess. There needs to be huge backlash against the government and Labor over this.

*Bangs head on desk again*

Doesn't look like eBay will be following suit though:

https://www.news.com.au/finance/busi...cee7046f63b894

An eBay spokesman confirmed the site would not block Australian users.

“eBay customers love the fact that we have a huge selection of over one billion listings across eBay’s global marketplaces so we are working on a solution that enables Aussie buyers to continue to shop from all eBay sites, while also capturing the required GST,” he said.

“This requires major changes to eBay’s global systems and we are working to have these ready by 1 July. eBay’s GST solution will allow us to collect GST in any currency, from any seller, from any eBay site. It also allows imports to Australia to continue without any structural barriers, redirects or blocks to the buyer experience.”

[fuzzymctiger]

Originally Posted by SGB

*Bangs head on desk repeatedly in anger and frustration*

What a freakin' mess. There needs to be huge backlash against the government and Labor over this.

*Bangs head on desk again*

Doesn't look like eBay will be following suit though:

https://www.news.com.au/finance/busi...cee7046f63b894

I thought this was Liberal's doing? Or are you saying backlash against both major parties.

Very relieving to hear eBay aren't following suit, worst case scenario I'll still be able to get releases through them then.

I'll say it again, I have no issue paying a bit more if it's an alternative to not being able to buy these at all anymore. As Blueherring says, I'm also concerned about buying direct from labels now that Amazon and BASE won't offer international shipping.

[SGB]

Originally Posted by fuzzymctiger

I thought this was Liberal's doing? Or are you saying backlash against both major parties.

I'm saying backlash against both major parties because it's my understanding Labor supported and voted for the legislation that allowed for the implementation of the online tax.

And speaking of Labor, just saw this in the Guardian's Politics Live stream:

https://www.theguardian.com/australi...b069235b5ceeba

Amazon announced a little earlier today that it will no longer ship to Australia, because of the change coming in, this July, which will see the GST apply to international purchases.

Labor has responded in a statement:

Today’s announcement from Amazon that it will no longer allow Australians to access its international sites is an utter embarrassment for the Treasurer and shows how the Government’s stuff up of these changes will reduce consumer choice.

Amazon has announced that due to implementation difficulties associated with the government’s legislated model of GST collection on product purchases under $1000, Australians shoppers will from 1 July this year no longer be able to purchase goods on Amazon overseas sites such as amazon.com and amazon.co.uk.

Online platforms like Amazon have previously warned these sorts of changes would occur if the Government pressed ahead with its preferred model of GST collection on small parcels.

This is a direct response to how the Government has sought to implement this reform.

This is a slap in the face for Australian consumers already struggling with the cost of living who will now not be able to seek out potentially cheaper products on overseas Amazon sites.

Hypocrisy much?

[jay166]

A work colleague just asked an interesting question; Amazon are saying they will re-direct access from their sites to Australian site, but what about if you want to purchase goods here in Australia and on amazon.com but want to delivery to an address to be in the US? Or UK equivalent.

The example cited from said work colleague is she purchases gifts for her family and friends in the UK from amazon.co.uk and they are delivered to UK address even though she lives here in Australia.