[LINK] Kogan on Online Retail....

[Michael Skeggs mike@bystander.net]

On 8 January 2011 15:53, David Boxall <david.boxall at hunterlink.net.au>wrote:

>
> It seems to me that Gerry Harvey is, like many (perhaps all) free
> marketeers, in favour of free markets until they find that they can't
> compete.
>
>
Clearly, the main disincentives for international e-commerce purchases are
shipping costs, service/warranty issues and delays in delivery, so AU bricks
and mortar has an in-built advantage for bulky items or things you want
right now or may need to return/service.
If these retailers with their hopeless websites really believe the GST is
the issue, they can sell to the other 6 billion people on the planet for
whom they are not obliged to collect GST. But I think we all know they will
be out competed massively in the global marketplace.
Myer and its ilk can keep the local bricks and mortar market, but shouldn't
have the gall to complain they can't compete against global players facing
the drawbacks of shipping costs, delays, difficult returns/warranties etc.
I am tempted to ship them a cut price Chinese violin.
Regards,
Michael Skeggs