Brexit and Online Trading

soolin

RFW wrote: »

I'm assuming you were referring to VAT MOSS. There's some stuff here about it. I'm not sure its impact was as destructive as you say.

It's also a possible side effect of exit that the VAT threshold would need to be lowered, certainly not a good thing for micro businesses.

Although as I said earlier no one knows one way or another.

My main thinking is that we currently have easy access to 27 countries that could (and likely would) be made harder after exit.

We have easy access to the USA, Canada and Australia as well none of whom are in the EU.

RFW

soolin wrote: »

We have easy access to the USA, Canada and Australia as well none of whom are in the EU.

I'd guess it depends what you're selling. I don't doubt my products would sell well in the rest of the world but post cost plus possible tax largely makes it prohibitively expensive for me and my customers. An almost inevitable hike in EU country post prices as well as possible changes to tax would wipe out a lot of
It's simpler and often cheaper to post to EU countries than it is the rest of the world. Why would the EU want that to remain after we left?

Art_Vandelay_2

RFW wrote: »

I'm assuming you were referring to VAT MOSS. There's some stuff here about it. I'm not sure its impact was as destructive as you say.

MOSS has been helpful to some no doubt, but isn't possible for everyone in all circumstances. Nevertheless, the VAT changes, forced registration, and data protection compliance issues have crippled many people in my industry, and many more I've had experience of via networking & other events; particularly start-ups or people only turning over a couple of thousand per year max. Make no mistake, the EU's first concern will not be British business.

RFW wrote: »

It's simpler and often cheaper to post to EU countries than it is the rest of the world. Why would the EU want that to remain after we left?

You appear to be saying that the EU would essentially hike prices or make life difficult for us out of spite. So why on earth would the UK want to be associated with such a petty organisation?

soolin

RFW wrote: »

I'd guess it depends what you're selling. I don't doubt my products would sell well in the rest of the world but post cost plus possible tax largely makes it prohibitively expensive for me and my customers. An almost inevitable hike in EU country post prices as well as possible changes to tax would wipe out a lot of
It's simpler and often cheaper to post to EU countries than it is the rest of the world. Why would the EU want that to remain after we left?

My view is simplistic as I am not very political really, however I can't see why RM would want to put their prices up if we left the EU.To me leaving the EU (which I very much doubt we will be able to do regardless of the vote) does not automatically equate with RM running amok, have I perhaps missed the fact that EU somehow regulate RM?

For me and my simplistic understanding, it doesn't matter what the EU want, if we are not part of it then they can insist on what they want but they cannot tell RM what to do. That's the who,e point of the leave campaigns, as far as I understand, that The UK can do what they like and the EU can no longer impose EU regs on us.

RFW

Art_Vandelay wrote: »

You appear to be saying that the EU would essentially hike prices or make life difficult for us out of spite. So why on earth would the UK want to be associated with such a petty organisation?

I wouldn't call it pettiness, if I ran a club that gave privileges to its members and one member left the other paying members wouldn't be pleased if I continued to give those privileges to the non paying member.

I honestly don't know how Royal Mail works as far as funding goes, it is one if the reasons I started this thread. I know that Royal Mail have clear differences between EU member states and non EU countries. I can't see them not taking the opportunity of increasing prices to send to member countries, especially if they end up with more paperwork as a result of an EU exit.

RFW

I was just looking for info on this. It's interesting to note that it was the EU that proposed RM not having a monopoly.
It hasn't was worked in all areas but several prices have been kept down because of it and the likes of Hermes are benefiting from it.

Marktheshark

RFW wrote: »

The European Commission make laws that then get looked at and voted on by the Council Of Ministers (representing member state governments) and the European Parliament (voted by the people in the member states). The European Commission are unelected but they can and have been removed from their jobs. They are appointed by member state governments,.

They can not be removed by the people they govern, there is no ballot box to remove them.
The name for such governance is dictatorship.

RFW

Marktheshark wrote: »

They can not be removed by the people they govern, there is no ballot box to remove them.
The name for such governance is dictatorship.

They don't govern as such. To say they are unaccountable is not right, there are many checks to stop then implementing laws member states don't agree with. The people we elect can and have removed commissioners.
We've had many unelected ministers in this country and many more unelected representatives doing jobs in government.

thebestnameshavegone

I've a concern about the cost of buying stock - I fear that a vote to leave will cause the markets to get a severe case of the jitters, which could impact on exchange rates. I buy some stock direct from China and the US (and pay in dollars) so would expect prices to rise - plus a lot of the stock I buy from UK wholesalers originates in the Far East so the same could apply there. I'm wondering if I should start bulk-buying prior to 23rd June just in case?!

RFW

thebestnameshavegone wrote: »

I've a concern about the cost of buying stock - I fear that a vote to leave will cause the markets to get a severe case of the jitters, which could impact on exchange rates. I buy some stock direct from China and the US (and pay in dollars) so would expect prices to rise - plus a lot of the stock I buy from UK wholesalers originates in the Far East so the same could apply there. I'm wondering if I should start bulk-buying prior to 23rd June just in case?!

They're already jittery. The only fortunate thing is that the US is on shaky ground where the next president could be a megolamaniac Oompa Loompa. Add to that that the Eurozone is still rocky too.

No one denies (though plenty hush it up) that Brexit would cause immediate chaos for at least a year and up to ten.

Here's Martin Lewis' blog on the matter, a good impartial guide http://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2016/06/05/how-to-vote-in-the-eu-referendum/?_ga=1.118735305.1765722428.1454277474