Duty: Over 2,700 Sign E-Petition
The signatures on online petition protesting against the possibility of additional duty increases continue to grow, with the e-petition garnering over 2,700 signatures as of this morning.
Premier Paula Cox recently said that due to ”inconsistent duty rates across methods of import, Government efforts to support local business are not as effective as intended. Therefore the Government will examine changes to duty rates for personal imports.”
Mailboxes Unlimited president Stephen Thomson has spoken out against additional duty increases, while the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s Retail Division has called for “an across the board, standardized duty rate of 25%.””
Surely this guy is still not on his personal crusade against buying Bermuda.
Sam him on the TV last night, he seemed really nasty.
I watched Stephen Thomson on television last night as well. I agree and support that this type of economic engineering will result in knock-on effects that have not been accounted for and do little to revive the retail industry.
The fact of the matter is that retail is dying because they refuse to innovate. Of all these whinging retailers, how many have an online store where you can purchase anything they have in stock and have it delivered to your door or office? You can’t purchase a pair of socks online from these businesses. They know that people shop online but rather than go to where the business is they choose to lobby to prevent consumer convenience.
How many of these whinging retailers have overseas warehouse space where they can stage how much upfront duty they pay? Also, their online orders could be fulfilled from this location further reducing upfront cost. They could reduce Bermuda warehouse space to offset the cost of the overseas warehouse.
How many of these whinging retailers have opened up their audited books over the last 10 years so the public can see what their true status is? They are asking the public to pay to keep them open but the public has no information on their state. Are they talking a decrease from 80% profit to 40% profit? That is still profitable. Why should I have to pay for you on no information!?!
Retailers want us to purchase what they feel like bringing in at the ridiculous prices they charge (the overwhelming majority, but not all). Last year’s no-name brand electronics at prices I can land (direct non-courier/forwarding shipping + duty) two or more of this year’s name brand electronics. Clothing that is never in my size or something that I don’t wish to wear. Most experiences (55%) with service are abysmal.
And furthermore, what of the multitude of cases where what a person wants simply is not available from a local retailer? Why should a person be penalised if a what they want is not available locally? Retailers are notorious for “special orders” taking (literally!) months to arrive with no form of tracking or updates. You can’t even be certain that it will be the item you’ve ordered.
I suppose you perceive that every person that opposes a duty increase has a personal crusade against Buy Bermuda. All 2,700 of them who have publicly stated so; thus far.
The retail industry, in general, is its own worst enemy.
You must really like being ripped off. The 35% won’t make much difference to the importers. They will simply pass the additional cost on to you. You will pay.
It is nothing but a money grab by the desperate PLP who through 13 years of mismanagement now find themselves unable to make payroll for a huge civil service.
2700 is a low number when one considers that usually only one out of many users of a household computer actually signs. The rest don’t bother though they feel the same.
It’s not a “personal crusade” when 2,700 care enough about it to sign a petition.
I don’t know why you call yourself “Voice of Reason”. You never make any sense at all.
He is speaking out like the rest of the retailers should be doing…. I guess you haven’t been in to purchase shoes for children lately or even for yourself – majority are over $100.00 a pair. Can you even think what it is like for parents to purchase school clothing for their children – my skin crawls when I think of someone having to cloth two or three and soon to come will be those who assist with the giving of school uniforms from u/wear to shoes – they will be finding it difficult to assist…. Consider all of the jobs that will be lost because of the brainstorm had by supposedly Premier Cox – not thought out at all. Jobs will be lost across the board in all areas. Sit back with your bottled water and think how much that bottle will cost you say in August when it is hot and you are thirsty…. Be concerned for this Island instead of your opinion of the one man who is standing UP/OUT for this Island’s work force and their employers….
Well said Ride, Triangle Drifter and other positive posters, you have explained clearly … my sentiments exactly, too bad the shepple can’t/wont get it. Many smaller stature women such as myself cannot find Women-Petite anywhere in this country…I can find things on line and when I am on my one or two short holidays to the US.