Consumers who travelled to Miami to do Christmas shopping were shocked to find out that some customs brokers were charging up to $200 to clear shipments off the dock. Entries usually cost from $25 to around $70 but some persons found themselves having to pay $200. This was more than 20% of the value of their shipment! Where is E J Bowe?
What E J Bowe needs to understand is that while VAT may only be 7.5% the compliance requirements for VAT is going to put direct increase to cost of doing business and businesses will have to increase their prices. Not only that VAT in some situations is more than 7.5%. For example when Super Value brings in merchandise to sell it eill pay customs duties on the goods then it will pay VAT of 7.5 on the goods plus the cusstoms duty! This is double dipping and if merchants do not track these costs and account for them they can be selling at a loss. What Mr. BOWE should investigate is those customs brokers who are now charging consumers up to $200.00 to make up entries to clear goods off the docks. Imagine a person bringing in $1000.00 in groceries and personal items. The custom broker charges $200, duty is$300plus freight is $100 VAT is $90 then add the cost of going to Miami and all the other charges and you will realize that in most instances it is better to shop at home. The cost of travelling has become too expensive and The difference between Miami landed prices and Nassau prices is not that great. When VAT is added on it may be better for the small consumer to shop at homem
This government should not be sidetracked and forgo a once in a life time opportunity to fix BEC rid it off its multi-million debt, outfit it with new generating plant, while at the same time reducing the average consumer bill by at least 50%. Oil prices are expected 5o continue to fall in 2015 due to numerous factors and may fall to below $30 if persons who are heavily vested in the oil market starts to panic and bail out. The first thing BEC should do is pay off its debt while simutaneously reducing consumer bills. Then it can put a new modern and efficient plant that runs of more efficient fuels. Even renewable ones. There is a window of opportunity that should be missed. If BEC is turned over to a private foreign operator at this time they may take advantage of profiteering and still not fix BEC so that the consumer benefits.
Based on the current price of oil which is expected to harbor around $50 a barrel throughout 2015 the cost of living in the Bahamas should fall by 20 % by June. EvEN With the addition of VA T and the reduction in some import duties Bahamians should see at least a 15 % drop in the cost of living. If the is a corresponding pick up in consumer spending and government gets it act together 2015 should be a good year
If you go out to celebrate the New Years remember to pay your bill before midnight. Otherwise you will have to pay vat.. remember cinderella at midnight
In November I was spending $200 week on gas for my truck. Now I am spending $120 By mid January i expect to be spending $90 ans even less in March. My light bill is even higher this month than it was in November! If this government gets it act together the cost of living should go dowm by 30 percent by June. Corruption and government slackness keeping us broke
Logistics and simple economics doesn't warrant Junkanoo being held at its current location and in its present form. From early in the evening of Christmas Day most of the island, especially East and South were in a gridlock of traffic as persons tried to get to the parade or to the carnival or to wherever they went that evening. One wrong move threw you off schedule big time. Now imagine the delimma of junkanoo groups trying to move hundreds of costumes under the same traffic conditions. Many had to depend on the same vehicle to move a number of costumes, some of which never made it to Bay Street. Then imagine a group of several hundred people being suspended from a parade for being a few hours late. After spending at least half a year preparing spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and employing thousands of man hours for which most is not compensated. And even for those who made the paradw and may have placed first or second is it wort the few short hours of glory? My suggestion is
John says...
We the people..amen
On No police probe over BEC bribe
Posted 6 January 2015, 10:55 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
Consumers who travelled to Miami to do Christmas shopping were shocked to find out that some customs brokers were charging up to $200 to clear shipments off the dock. Entries usually cost from $25 to around $70 but some persons found themselves having to pay $200. This was more than 20% of the value of their shipment! Where is E J Bowe?
On Customs brokers in 'trying period' after VAT implementation
Posted 6 January 2015, 10:14 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
What E J Bowe needs to understand is that while VAT may only be 7.5% the compliance requirements for VAT is going to put direct increase to cost of doing business and businesses will have to increase their prices. Not only that VAT in some situations is more than 7.5%. For example when Super Value brings in merchandise to sell it eill pay customs duties on the goods then it will pay VAT of 7.5 on the goods plus the cusstoms duty! This is double dipping and if merchants do not track these costs and account for them they can be selling at a loss. What Mr. BOWE should investigate is those customs brokers who are now charging consumers up to $200.00 to make up entries to clear goods off the docks. Imagine a person bringing in $1000.00 in groceries and personal items. The custom broker charges $200, duty is$300plus freight is $100 VAT is $90 then add the cost of going to Miami and all the other charges and you will realize that in most instances it is better to shop at home. The cost of travelling has become too expensive and The difference between Miami landed prices and Nassau prices is not that great. When VAT is added on it may be better for the small consumer to shop at homem
On Price Control Commission to 'look into' cinema ticket prices
Posted 6 January 2015, 9:59 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
This government should not be sidetracked and forgo a once in a life time opportunity to fix BEC rid it off its multi-million debt, outfit it with new generating plant, while at the same time reducing the average consumer bill by at least 50%. Oil prices are expected 5o continue to fall in 2015 due to numerous factors and may fall to below $30 if persons who are heavily vested in the oil market starts to panic and bail out. The first thing BEC should do is pay off its debt while simutaneously reducing consumer bills. Then it can put a new modern and efficient plant that runs of more efficient fuels. Even renewable ones. There is a window of opportunity that should be missed. If BEC is turned over to a private foreign operator at this time they may take advantage of profiteering and still not fix BEC so that the consumer benefits.
On Deputy PM 'does not know' if BEC bribe probe will be launched
Posted 1 January 2015, 9:15 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
I have a plan for junkanoo
On Junkanoo cut to a single lap
Posted 1 January 2015, 12:09 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
Based on the current price of oil which is expected to harbor around $50 a barrel throughout 2015 the cost of living in the Bahamas should fall by 20 % by June. EvEN With the addition of VA T and the reduction in some import duties Bahamians should see at least a 15 % drop in the cost of living. If the is a corresponding pick up in consumer spending and government gets it act together 2015 should be a good year
On FNM Deputy hits out at plans for social services help after VAT
Posted 31 December 2014, 1:09 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
If you go out to celebrate the New Years remember to pay your bill before midnight. Otherwise you will have to pay vat.. remember cinderella at midnight
On Three days left, just ‘half’ VAT Rules published
Posted 30 December 2014, 2:19 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
In November I was spending $200 week on gas for my truck. Now I am spending $120
By mid January i expect to be spending $90 ans even less in March. My light bill is even higher this month than it was in November! If this government gets it act together the cost of living should go dowm by 30 percent by June. Corruption and government slackness keeping us broke
On Deputy PM hits out at 'corporate sabotage'
Posted 29 December 2014, 9:56 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
Logistics and simple economics doesn't warrant Junkanoo being held at its current location and in its present form. From early in the evening of Christmas Day most of the island, especially East and South were in a gridlock of traffic as persons tried to get to the parade or to the carnival or to wherever they went that evening. One wrong move threw you off schedule big time. Now imagine the delimma of junkanoo groups trying to move hundreds of costumes under the same traffic conditions. Many had to depend on the same vehicle to move a number of costumes, some of which never made it to Bay Street. Then imagine a group of several hundred people being suspended from a parade for being a few hours late. After spending at least half a year preparing spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and employing thousands of man hours for which most is not compensated. And even for those who made the paradw and may have placed first or second is it wort the few short hours of glory? My suggestion is
On Delays mar Junkanoo parade
Posted 29 December 2014, 5 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
Did they find the missing Asian Airliner yet?
On Deputy PM hits out at 'corporate sabotage'
Posted 29 December 2014, 4:41 p.m. Suggest removal