Category Archives: Shopping Online

Still Christmas shopping?

There is still time to order things online and have them delivered. Just remember to check delivery times listed on the site and allow for distance – a site based near you will need less delivery time than one on the other side of Australia!

Look for sites with quick payment processing too – if you have to send a cheque and wait for it to be cleared, you’ll be lucky if it arrived this year!

 And don’t forget you could buy a voucher online and have it delivered by email instantly!

Before buying online…

Computer shopping by creditShopping online is very convenient and easy, but before you start shopping think about which site you buy from.

Unless it really is a unique product, shop around and compare potential stores by asking the following questions:

  • does the site look credible
  • location clearly specified
  • delivery charges clearly specified and easy to find
  • do they answer any queries promptly
  • read some testimonials
  • do they sell other things you may also want so you can save time and money

Buying from overseas

Buying from overseas is easy with the internet – possibly too easy for those unaware of the implications of it.

Before buying something from overseas, consider the following:

  • currency conversion – a $10 item may not be such a bargain once you convert it to AUD
  • bank charges for currency conversions – banks usually have a fee for converting anything to or from AUD so you may want to allow for that when comparison shopping
  • freight/delivery costs – the standard prices listed on the site may not apply for an Australian delivery so check these details carefully,and email them first if you’re not sure
  • customs duty on some items may be substantial. Check if duty is payable on your purchases and then calculate the extra cost and potential delivery delays
  • delivery times
  • is there an Aussie alternative? Not only are you likely to save on delivery costs and time, you will be supporting Australian businesses
  • environmental footprint – the further an item travels to reach you, the bigger impact it has on the environment.
  • what happens if you needed repairs or a replacement – sending it back overseas will take money and time

International taxes

When shopping online, you may decide to purchase something from overseas. If so, it will be useful to know the tax names for the relevant country.

Some of the most popular countries to buy from include:

Australia – 10% GST

New Zealand – 12.5% GST

United Kingdom – 17.5% VAT

Canada – 6% GST – changing ti 5% GST on 1 Jan 2008

European countries in the EU – 15 – 25% VAT (each nation sets its own, although it can vary for certain categories of products)

USA – sales tax varies between states – Michigan has a VAT

India – 12.5% VAT

Mexico -  15% IVA

Singapore – 7% GST

GST – Goods & Services tax
VAT – value add tax = IVA in Spanish

Note that these taxes are usually only payable if the products are being delivered to the country of origin. So if you live in Australia and the products are delivered to you at home, you will pay GST if bought from an Aussie site but won’t pay VAT if you bought from a UK site.

Why shop online?

There are many reasons to shop online, but maybe you haven’t thought of them all…

  • online shops are always open, even at 3am on a Sunday!
  • you don’t have to get dressed up to go shopping – hey, you don’t even have to get dressed if don’t want to!
  • there is no need to drag your kids kicking and screaming to and around the shopping centre
  • you won’t have to search for a parking spot, or argue with someone trying to steal your spot
  • everything gets delivered to your door – no more tradging along with armloads of stuff
  • you can walk away from the trolley knowing no one will pinch it
  • no one can steal your handbag or shopping when you turn your back
  • you don’t need a babysitter – shop while hte kids play, watch a video or read a book
  • they don’t ever expect you to pay in cash
  • they never make you feel guilty for forgetting to bring your recyclable bags with you
  • there is never a queue, even when shopping in December!
  • you aren’t limited to the shops that are close to home
  • you’re more likely to be served by someone who cares about the business and their customers – rather than someone who just sees shop work as a job
  • if you pull something out of your shopping cart, you don’t have to trudge back to where you found it – you don’t even have to find shelf space for it!
  • no one will stop you with samples or other unwanted intrusions

Hmm, with a list like that, why would anyone ever shop offline???