Thanks for the update Pete. I guess Apple felt the benefits in having a local internet store outweigh having to charge 10% tax. Very interesting to know.
Ruben > G'day all. > > The Apple store in Australia does pay GST. > > From their terms and conditions: > > "8. GST > > Apple Store purchases will include GST. If you phone in your order, the Apple > Specialist will provide the final dollar total of your order including GST > and any applicable shipping charges at the time you place your order. The > invoice Apple emails or posts to you will include GST." > > > Having read a bit about the big stores in Australia and Gerry Harvey and > their complaints about non-GST-paying internet stores, my understanding of > the situation as a whole is that their complaint is the overseas internet > stores don't pay or charge the GST for goods under $1,000. > > However, if a store sets up an internet store in Australia and sells to > people within Australia, then GST applies across the board as per a physical > walk-in store. > > The Australian Apple store has an Australia address in Sydney and also an > Australian 13.... phone no. Which also, I assume, means staff (at a different > pay to staff in the American store I would think). > > I assume that Apple sets up its internet stores in various countries, > including Australia, as it must make it easier to display local prices and, > considering they include free shipping, take shipping costs into account when > setting the local country price structures up. However, local taxes apply and > in our case, it's 10% GST. The Australian store also has to comply with the > "Trade Practices Act 1974 and other applicable Australian consumer protection > laws and regulations" and any associated costs. > > I don't think it matters where the actual download comes from, it's where it > is sold from. > > Regards > > Pete Smith > > iMac 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo > 4GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM > 750GB Hdrive OS X 10.6.5 > > On 07/01/2011, at 16:25 PM, Ronda Brown wrote: > >> Hi Alex, >> >> I understand where you are coming from and your concern. My reply was in >> reference to the link you supplied which referred to "iTunes users fight >> back against inflated music prices" & how to get around this by creating a >> US iTunes Account. >> >> Hugh Griffiths reply touched on 'market economics'. >> There is a markup for the cost of business in each country. >> >> I agree, Aperture is an Apple Software product. None of the prices on the US >> App Store include sales tax. The US does not have a uniform federal VAT. The >> sales taxes is different in every state and sometimes city jurisdiction. >> >> AFAIK Hardware, Software is all subject to GST, so all the prices on the AU >> App Store include Australia Government 10% GST (& possibly importation fees). >> Correct me if I'm wrong, but that is how I understand it works. I'm >> certainly no expert on GST & our Government's import duties & Customs Laws. >> >> Regards, >> Ronni >> >> >> On 07/01/2011, at 3:13 PM, Alexander Hartner wrote: >> >>> While I don't condone stealing especially from software developers and >>> musicians, I do feel it is not reasonable for Apple to set different >>> prices. Your comments regarding record companies is only partially right, >>> as this thread started with Aperture, which is an Apple product. I fail to >>> see why they should charge Aussies more then our cousins from the other >>> side of the pacific. >>> >>> I used to life in the UK and had my account there. Since moving down under >>> I changed my account, but wish I hadn't. >>> >>> Just an observation, but generally things seem more expensive here in Oz. >>> Guess you can't have it all. Sunshine, beach, cheap prices .... :-) >>> >>> Alex >>> >>> On 7 Jan 2011, at 13:37, Ronda Brown wrote: >>> >>>> The comments: >>>> /Quote: >>>> "Stealing is stealing no matter how easy it is to do or however you >>>> rationalise it." >>>> and: >>>> "the biggest issue is that Apple when they do catch onto you, your credit >>>> is gone" >>>> /End Quote >>>> >>>> Says it all. >>>> >>>> It might 'seem' unfair to people that don't understand (or research) all >>>> the factors which cause the price difference. >>>> The exchange rate is only one factor in the pricing equation. >>>> >>>> Also, Apple doesn't set the prices, the record companies do, the Record >>>> Companies and Rights Holders in Australia charge iTunes. >>>> If you want to blame someone blame EMI Australia who sets the prices, not >>>> Apple. While your at it, ask the Australian book publishers why electronic >>>> books are so much more expensive in Australia than they are overseas and >>>> why all titles available on overseas stores aren't available here. >>>> >>>> I'm not about to start a 'Flaming War' as this issue has been discussed >>>> before on WAMUG. >>>> I apologise if my little "Rant" upsets anyone. >>>> >>>> Cheers, >>>> Ronni >>>> >>>> On 07/01/2011, at 12:28 PM, Alexander Hartner wrote: >>>> >>>>> There are ways and means : >>>>> >>>>> http://www.news.com.au/technology/itunes-users-fight-back-against-inflated-music-prices/story-e6frfro0-1225982198878 >>>>> >>>>> apparently. >>>>> >>>>> On 7 Jan 2011, at 01:06, Dark1 wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Aperture is a great deal but I can't help but feel a bit disappointed >>>>>> that Aussies are being screwed over a bit. US on the new store is $79. >>>>>> The price differences from the original Apple store could be justified >>>>>> since there were additional costs associated with shipping and taxes in >>>>>> Australia. I could be wrong but I think buying from an online store >>>>>> would bypass the Australian taxes and there certainly isn't any shipping >>>>>> involved yet we pay $20 more. I wonder if it's possible to trick the >>>>>> store into giving you US prices by using proxy servers. Probably not >>>>>> but it would be interesting to see Apple's response if someone found a >>>>>> way to do it. >>>>>> >>>>>> Ruben >>>>>> >>>>>> In a word ... AWESOME >>>>>> >>>>>> There are some great bargains available to. For all you budding >>>>>> photographers Aperture less than half price ($99.99) normally $249 >>>>>> >>>>>> cheers >>>>>> >>>>>> Pedro >> >> >> >> >> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >> Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]> > > > > > -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- > Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> > Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> > Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Unsubscribe - <mailto:[email protected]>
