Comments on: Message to MPs: Stability is key to ending recession http://tamebay.com/2009/06/message-to-mps-stability-is-key-to-ending-recession.html eBay & ecommerce made easy Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:01:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Chris Dawson http://tamebay.com/2009/06/message-to-mps-stability-is-key-to-ending-recession.html#comment-48308 Chris Dawson Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:31:27 +0000 http://www.tamebay.com/?p=7440#comment-48308 Hitch, almost no one reduced their prices, it's all a big con. I went into Next in Reading several times an monitored their strategy. First was big signs saying VAT would be adjusted at the checkout. Then even bigger signs saying that all prices were now adjusted for VAT. A week later the sales started and all sales prices were £9.99, £14.99, £19.99...... just the same as they were the year before. Check out any high street retailer now and you'll find prices are typically the same as they were last year. Now the public have forgotten about the VAT changes the consumer is getting no benefit whatsoever. Total waste of time and effort. Hitch, almost no one reduced their prices, it’s all a big con.

I went into Next in Reading several times an monitored their strategy. First was big signs saying VAT would be adjusted at the checkout. Then even bigger signs saying that all prices were now adjusted for VAT. A week later the sales started and all sales prices were £9.99, £14.99, £19.99…… just the same as they were the year before.

Check out any high street retailer now and you’ll find prices are typically the same as they were last year. Now the public have forgotten about the VAT changes the consumer is getting no benefit whatsoever.

Total waste of time and effort.

]]> By: J O H N http://tamebay.com/2009/06/message-to-mps-stability-is-key-to-ending-recession.html#comment-48307 J O H N Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:58:59 +0000 http://www.tamebay.com/?p=7440#comment-48307 VAT switch to 15% made no difference to sellers, as it became an administrative burden, compounded by the fact that we could not change all listings (ebay tool issue). I still see listings with 17.5% on them, even now on ebay uk! I have to say that Ed Vaizey spoke alot of sense. Looking at his blog, he seems a very switched on guy, well educated and has business experience. VAT switch to 15% made no difference to sellers, as it became an administrative burden, compounded by the fact that we could not change all listings (ebay tool issue). I still see listings with 17.5% on them, even now on ebay uk!

I have to say that Ed Vaizey spoke alot of sense. Looking at his blog, he seems a very switched on guy, well educated and has business experience.

]]> By: hitch http://tamebay.com/2009/06/message-to-mps-stability-is-key-to-ending-recession.html#comment-48306 hitch Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:19:57 +0000 http://www.tamebay.com/?p=7440#comment-48306 Totally agree, they are switching back to 17.5% on December 31st, so those that have reduced their prices will have a tedious start to the year Totally agree, they are switching back to 17.5% on December 31st, so those that have reduced their prices will have a tedious start to the year

]]> By: whirly http://tamebay.com/2009/06/message-to-mps-stability-is-key-to-ending-recession.html#comment-48305 whirly Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:13:17 +0000 http://www.tamebay.com/?p=7440#comment-48305 #2 the problem was their wasn't any thought behind it, pointless policy change. #2 the problem was their wasn’t any thought behind it, pointless policy change.

]]> By: hitch http://tamebay.com/2009/06/message-to-mps-stability-is-key-to-ending-recession.html#comment-48304 hitch Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:58:52 +0000 http://www.tamebay.com/?p=7440#comment-48304 I thought the idea of the VAT cut was to pass it on to the customer ! I thought the idea of the VAT cut was to pass it on to the customer !

]]> By: benbob http://tamebay.com/2009/06/message-to-mps-stability-is-key-to-ending-recession.html#comment-48303 benbob Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:02:32 +0000 http://www.tamebay.com/?p=7440#comment-48303 Interesting Post. I am aware that the vat cut to 15% was frowned upon by many, but myself being a small business wlecomed the vat cut with open arms. Specialising in home entertainment products, mainly DVD, I've benefitted by 5-10p per transaction due to the vat cut. This may not sound much but it definately adds up during a months worth of sales, especially in a market which has such tight margins already. I'm just not looking forward to it going back to 17.5% on Jan 1st. Indeed it will mean more time making changes, but knowing it will cost me 5-10p per transaction will hurt more :sad: Interesting Post. I am aware that the vat cut to 15% was frowned upon by many, but myself being a small business wlecomed the vat cut with open arms. Specialising in home entertainment products, mainly DVD, I’ve benefitted by 5-10p per transaction due to the vat cut. This may not sound much but it definately adds up during a months worth of sales, especially in a market which has such tight margins already.

I’m just not looking forward to it going back to 17.5% on Jan 1st. Indeed it will mean more time making changes, but knowing it will cost me 5-10p per transaction will hurt more :sad:

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