Ebays latest agreement update

[outback_blends]

Wont affect me because I dont buy outside Australia but I cant wait to read the inevitable messages from buyers and sellers about the new GST collection announcement .

The bit that really made me laugh was this bit about location mis representation....

We take item location misrepresentation seriously on eBay. As part of eBay’s Selling practices policy, we have deployed technology to prevent and detect violations across listings and transactions. Sellers found in violation of this policy are may be subject to listing removal, warnings, suspensions by eBay, and may be at risk of compliance action by the Australian Tax Office.  

[lyndal1838]

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@digital*ghost wrote:

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PS - Anyone had a gander at eBay Prime Plus? $49 a year and buyers get free post plus free returns (eBay pays for the postage costs on their behalf if the seller has a P&H charge, interestingly). According to the listed criteria, I could potentially qualify for this. Though probably won't with a 2 day handling time. 

Digi, as a buyer I doubt that it would be of much use to me.  In all my years on ebay I doubt if I have had to return 6 items.  And ebay is only offering standard postage.....no tracked and SOD as needed for ebay and paypal.

Postage is not a big concern of mine.....the majority of my local purchases are free postage and the scheme does not cover overseas postage.

I am more worried by the terms whereby ebay can change the goal posts as they see fit.....and it is up to them what items will qualify for the scheme.

I smell a rat.....just another way for ebay to milk it's members but this time they are targetting buyers, not sellers.
I will definitely wait and see before parting with my hard earned $$$$.

[6508.froggy]

Just a thought and maybe I am totally wrong but GST at this present time in Australia is not applicable to second hand goods ie. Collectables etc. 

Any purchases made at auctions houses etc. do not attract GST. Just the buyers or sellers premium. 

So my question is ebay has advised they will be collecting the GST for all items of any value being imported  but if this is for a second hand item classiifed as a collectable item will they still apply the GST. 

Muddy waters in my opinion but as I mentioned I could be wrong. 

[porcelain_dolls_by_me]

The GST is not being added on behalf of the seller - it is being done at the behest of the Australian Government in order to catch as much GST on imported goods as possible.

And not "EVERY" B & M store adds GST, it is feasible it may be a very small store that has a turnover of less than $75.000 and are not registered for GST

[the_2nd_zoo]

So if ebayPlus members pay no postage on qualifying items then should we all ditch Free shipping and go back to calculated shipping  as the buyer will pay only the item cost (obviously the ebay Plus program has a cost but if you buy 50 items a year that is $1 each) and it wil be cheaper than the so called free shipping price.

With the big items I sell my free shipping price is at least 10% more than a pickup price would be.

In the case of an item that is 500g to 1kg that is $15 full AP price.

I suppose if an item does not have free shipping will it be visable when ebay Plus tab is switched on and ebay has to eat the shipping.

Like Best match ebay does not care about a lower cost for the customer but what is in it for ebay.

I can see ebay allowing items in Plus category only if seller offers free shipping and free returns or some other hoop that will force those by stealth.

[swamp-stalker]

The collection of GST would actually be a good thing for Aus sellers, if ebay were able to apply it to all the Chinese Sellers that flood Aus ebay.  Unfortunately having the items location as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, although the item is actually shipped from China, will no doubt not incure the GST.

Call me cynical, but I dont think Ebay like rocking the boat with Chinese sellers, as it is their biggest income stream.

[davewil1964]

If the ATO starts billing eBay for Chinese imports, eBay will soon take notice. This was mentioned at about post #4.

[padi*0409]

There's something I don't understand with eBay collecting the GST from buyers of OS items.

When the parcel arrives at customs or the post office (if they are going to be the ones collecting GST), HOW will they know that it's an eBay item that's already had the tax paid on it ??

I can see multiple emails or trips to the relavant collection agent for proof that the GST payment has already been made.

A can of worms is about to be opened methinks...........................

Spoiler

.............as if the queues at the post offices ain't long enough already with frustated customers...............

[lyndal1838]

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@porcelain_dolls_by_me wrote:

The GST is not being added on behalf of the seller - it is being done at the behest of the Australian Government in order to catch as much GST on imported goods as possible.

And not "EVERY" B & M store adds GST, it is feasible it may be a very small store that has a turnover of less than $75.000 and are not registered for GST

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The GST is being collected here because the ATO cannot force overseas sellers to do it.

It would have to be a very small B & M store not to turn over $1450 per week.   It would barely make a living wage for the owner, let alone pay rent and other running expenses.

[lyndal1838]

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@6508.froggy wrote:

Just a thought and maybe I am totally wrong but GST at this present time in Australia is not applicable to second hand goods ie. Collectables etc. 

Any purchases made at auctions houses etc. do not attract GST. Just the buyers or sellers premium. 

So my question is ebay has advised they will be collecting the GST for all items of any value being imported  but if this is for a second hand item classiifed as a collectable item will they still apply the GST. 

Muddy waters in my opinion but as I mentioned I could be wrong. 

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I'm afraid you are wrong.....GST is most certainly payable on second hand goods.

Ebay will apply the GST to every item under $1000 coming into Australia from overseas.

[porcelain_dolls_by_me]

It comes down to a contest between  "Ebay like rocking the boat with Chinese sellers", and the Australian Government my money in on the latter!!