HST: Going to Cost us more.
 

Obvious, but now look @ the numbers done by Stats. Canada.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/hou...438/story.html

I think wut's gonna happen is that business will pass on savings to consumers in the beginning as a gimmick to maintian ppl's spending habits. Then those savings will be slowly withdrawn so eventually ppl will consume like the pre-HST days but in effect give businesses a larger margin. In the end consumer will still be shafted but at least they can adapt to a smaller stick before moving up to a bigger stick.

It depends hugely on the business. I work in a retail company that is reliant on people's discressionary spending. If their pool of "fun" money is limited then we're actually going to have less money in the end.

I don't think that the government is taking into account the huge impact this is going to have on the service and retail sector.

Small business r gonna choke for sure. But the good thing is that once ppl r used to the idea of HST, they'll start spending again. North American has high consumption and we'r programmed to spend spend spend. As long as business can ride out for first 3-6 months, things should be back to "normal".

my 0.02

more HST news ? fuck, im tired of these crap news... since im living in BC, im just gonna have to deal with it

I so signed on the first week.

This was pointed out on another forum:

Even if BC successfully fights the HST, it has already been passed at the federal level and would go through.

I dare anyone here to name something that will cost more after HST other than eating out, sports and travel. These are all luxuries, which if you can afford them, you can afford to pay tax on them, and I'm surprised were not taxed previously.

These people are idiots and the media just as dumb for reporting it:

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/public_opinion.png

HST is going to happen if you you like it or not. It sucks donkey dick.

Yes sports and travel could be luxuries, but for ratio sake its far smaller than food comsumption, but gov't cant just tax the rich, b/c they need money from them, so instead they just do it on everyone

My 10 year old daughter already wears women's small clothing.
Are her clothes a luxury? Her shoes?

School supplies were previously exempt. Are those luxuries?

Any groceries beyond absolute staples (bread, milk, eggs, meat, produce, flour) are now taxed with both taxes. Congradulations you want to eat anything prepared at all, need some tomato sauce for your pasta? You pay HST now. Want some spices for your steak? That too.

Summer camp for kids? Sports programs for children? All previously only 5% tax now 12%. That's enough to break the bank and make the differance between parents being able to afford to have thier kids be in sports and not. Especially if they have more then one. And in the land of fat kids, I don't consider swimming lessons and soccar camp luxuries. They're important.

I think the notion that this is a "luxury" tax is absolutely insane. As is the idea that it's only going to cost the average family "$500" a year. I'm looking at $500 between now and September. For one child.

For single folks that might not sound like a lot. For me that's a good chunk of change in the time of year where my expenses are at their highest already.

I feel you pain.

The other side of the argument is that prices may drop so at the end it evens out. And more income tax credit = more take home money.

It's hard to say right now how it's gonna pan out. We'll be recieving a cheque in July to somewhat offset the initial hit of the tax. Hope things will turn out fine.

I know many businesses wont be cutting prices. I work at a major retail chain (albeit not at a salesperson level) and, because the prices are set at a national level in Ontario, we wont be lowering our prices. This is also a company that caters largely to school supplies, which were once tax exempt. And before anyone says anything, only certain school supplies will remain HST exempt. Many items wont be now.

Unfortunitely, most chains aren't likely to lower their prices. And small businesses are so crunched right now that they need the extra margin to survive. I don't forsee a lot of price decreases with the HST. I hope though that I'm wrong in that assumption.

Are there ANY school supplies that are exempt still? When I was at the HST seminar last week they told me non. Mind you they also said that Natives would retain their exempt status which it was revealed today they will not. So they don't seem to know much at these stupid things.

HST is going to benifit chinese owned restaurants.

LOL prices will drop. Yeah right. Not in BC.
When businesses say their stuff will drop in price, what they mean is just a few cents.
Gas prices will go up, not drop.

lol, just playing the devil's advocate. I highly doubt businesses will cut their margin for the "greater good" but it's always good to have hope.

sad but true. Cash transactions seem mighty attractive these days.

Didn't it go past 10 or 15%? All that effort for nothing? Gordo will just think it's a joke..

[QUOTE=TheNewGirl;7001258

I don't think that the government is taking into account the huge impact this is going to have on the service and retail sector.[/QUOTE]

Since when does the government take how anything will affect anybody into account?

their goal right now is like 50% of the voting population



the signatures will force the govt to either repeal the tax or bring it into a referendum

the results of the referendum though can be rejected by the govt

so although Campbell is done.. i don't think the Liberal Party wants to commit political suicide

^ if HST is demolished, will we have to pay back the money get got from the Feds?

no, the government states that we would haBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

car repairs, home repairs etc. basicly any labour is now taxed I believe.

My parents were talking the other day about raising the prices on our food menu in our shop. Now for a decent lunchbox would cost someone $8.00 instead of $6.50.