Amazon to block its US website for Aussie shoppers over new GST rules

[zanadoo_56]

https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/company-news/amazon-to-block-its-us-website-for-aussie-shoppers-over...

[myoclon1cjerk]

Just use Shipping Forwarders. https://shopmate.auspost.com.au/


And a VPN if they geoblock.

[not_for_sale2025]

I haven't visited Amazon.com since the Australian site opened it's doors. And I have purchased quite a few things recently from the Aussie site. All were good quality, well priced and with free shipping. Plus, there were heaps of options to choose from.

I don't think Australian buyers will be all that disadvantaged.

[kopenhagen5]

I don't think Australian buyers will be all that disadvantaged.

I agree and I think Amazon just wants to revert Aus buyers to their Aus site.

Plus there will probably be an increase in available products on Amazon Aus.

[lyndal1838]

---

@myoclon1cjerk wrote:
Just use Shipping Forwarders. https://shopmate.auspost.com.au/


And a VPN if they geoblock.

---

I have never used a shipping forwarder and it is unlikely that I ever will as I have rellies in the USA but when Australia Post announced this service several members said it was very much more expensive than other similar services.

If anyone is thinking of using such a servce it may pay you to shop around.

[myoclon1cjerk]

I only buy music from the likes of ebay amazon etc and I can tell with some certainty that amazon won't have the music that interests me in stock locally 90% of the time,which means not only having to pay more but having to wait longer before I receive my purchase.
In the end it won't affect me because I'll simply purchase elsewhere. There's importcds,cd universe,ebay, discogs as well as the many music shops overseas that have mail order service. In a lot of cases I can order direct from the record labels as they have their own outlets.

[zanadoo_56]

---

@not_for_sale2025 wrote:

I haven't visited Amazon.com since the Australian site opened it's doors. And I have purchased quite a few things recently from the Aussie site. All were good quality, well priced and with free shipping. Plus, there were heaps of options to choose from.

I don't think Australian buyers will be all that disadvantaged.

---

I haven't bought anything from Amazon US for a while after it seemed like shopping costs were bing pulled out of a hat, but I did see things I'd like to have bought.

When I looked on the AU site it seems they sell lots of stuff that is already available in Oz.  I couldn't find what I wanted.  When I look for items from overseas it's because they are NOT available in Oz.

I posted the info because it now makes me wonder about other overseas sites that I do buy from.

[ambercat16]

I'm wondering how it is going to affect my purchase of kindle books.  Several years ago when they first brought in the AU Kindle version, I switched to it but found that all my purchasing history and my wish lists all disappeared.  Luckily I was able to opt back to US.

[bright.ton42]

I'm delighted  that amazon are now i n  Oz..  i recently searched for  new high end athletic shoes that are not listed elsewhere for  such reduced  prices. .  I ordered a pair and they arrived 3 days later. .  They seem to work in with Catch.com.au who also sell new good products. 

[myoclon1cjerk]

I just looked up a cd I'm thinking of buying on both sites. U.S site charges $14.99. Australian site charges $22.99. Australian site also states dispatch in 4-5 weeks. Pathetic. I might add that the stated price of $22.99 might end up being $25.99 from July 1 with the imposition of the GST. Free trade my a*se.