DB7

Cut-price loophole closed on CDs <div align="left"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"></div>
Local firms will be exempt from the lawFirms that distribute cut-price CDs and DVDs for major chain stores from Jersey to avoid VAT are to have their licences stopped in a year's time.

Several chain stores including Tesco and Asda have moved internet mail-order operations to the island to avoid VAT.

Under EU law, retailers that operate outside the EU can sell products valued at less than £18 to customers in member states without charging VAT.

But Jersey's government says negative publicity hits the island's reputation.

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Tesco has a separate website to deal with its Jersey salesEconomic Development Minister Philip Ozouf said businesses based in Jersey, that buy stock in Jersey and store it there before selling it, will still be able to operate.

Companies like play.com, which is based in Jersey, are thought to be unaffected.

But UK-based operations will have to apply for licences and they will be time limited to "gradually reduce and eventually discontinue their activities".

During a UK parliamentary debate in February it was stated that the Treasury is losing £80m a year from retailers operating "offshore" and that could soon reach £200m a year.

However, Nick Goulding, chief executive for The Forum of Private Business, which led objections to the loophole, called Jersey's move a "smokescreen".

We are not objecting to competition from the internet, but consumers will recognise that if only one side has to pay tax, that just isn't fair
Nick Goulding

He said: "To a certain extent we have been here before.

"Jersey put out a similar statement in November and they didn't follow through with it, so there's a lot of rehashing here.

"If the UK companies are pushed out, others will step into that space and we shall see a continuation of the problems, so we are concerned that the UK Government plugs it at this end."

He said buyers could be affected, but the long-term affect would be adverse on consumers.

He said: "It's a question of whether you want a sustainable market space with local stores and knowledgeable staff that you can talk to. Consumers value that.

"This kind of unfair competition means you are much less likely to have that. "We are not objecting to competition from the internet, but consumers will recognise that if only one side has to pay tax, that just isn't fair."

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Ascoyne D'Ascoyne

Yes I really value the experience of paying pounds extra for the experience of talking to "knowleadgeable" staff at my "local" "specialist" store (which involves a three quarter hour trip involving bus and train):-

" 'oo did yer say the artist was, Mosart? Can you spell, that please? What's the album called? Eine what? How d'yer spell it? Yeah, we can probably get that particular one in for you for next week." - Only to find after another wasted journey that the thing was out of stock at the suppliers all along.

Harbottle

How true.

An unpleasant development but at least some firms will still be based in Jersey selling DVD/CD's at more reasonable rates, plus if R1 is acceptable imports from the US of course. I wonder how many keen film and TV buyers ever buy a DVD in the high street rather than the ease plus savings made buying online though?

arty-dave

I have found HMV sales better value than buying from Play.com for instance

smudge

I occasionally meander into the High Street chains and make a purchase, but not very often. I tend to browse, see what's out, then come back and order it online...

Not doubt lady Tesco will put her weight behind this if Jersey insists on trying to force HER out.

SMUDGE

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

foha80

Whenever I go into HMV and are browsing, a young person is always dispatched to see if I need any help.They are clearly under the impression that I have wandered in confused while I was looking for the bookies and that I am about to wet myself at any moment.


Terry

David Brent

Too true Terry.
I get that too! Just because I'm over 20 the staff can't believe I know anything about modern music. Yet most times I know a great deal more than the just out of school staff working there.
True story - just the other day while browsing in a Sanity CD/DVD store I overheard a middle aged gent ask the young female assistant for a copy of the DVD "The Graduate."
The assistant looked at him sorrowfully "Are you sure that's the title? Has it been released yet? Are you sure it's a film?"
The guy winced and answered "Yes, it's a classic film starring Dustin Hoffman."
"Can't say I've heard of him." the assistant replied "Maybe we could order it for you."
The gent said he would not bother.
As it turns out, I was looking through the DVD's myself while all this was going on and looked under G and found the film he was after.
I handed it to him, he thanked me and made the purchase.
I felt like asking for a commission payment.

Dave.

smudge

Perish the thought !
SMUDGE

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

sheriff_bart

A very similar thing happened to me about two years ago at christmas in HMV.
A lady was looking for some John Wayne films and the assistant was getting all perplexed (you know the type, students filling in over christmas).
the lad was waffling on and all the time this lady was getting more frustrated.
it was at the time that the collection series had come out john Wayne at war and so on.
the films were right in front of this assistant and he was telling her they did'nt exist till i pointed out to him they're in front of your face and proceeded to hand the lady the four boxsets from the shelves.
Needless to say the assistant grumbled under his voice and walked away and i got a big thankyou from the lady and her saying something about bloody useless employees.
I sometimes wonder what HMV employ at times i think sometimes a frontal lobotomy will guarantee you a job as they have no idea at all.

;)

theuofc

Great avatar, SheriffB. Is it Glynis Johns, if so what film is it from?

Barbara

Steve Crook

Definitely Glynis. But I'm not sure which film it's from either.

Steve

theuofc

Could it be from "Miranda" (1948) where Glynis plays a seductive mermaid although I'm not sure she wore a top like that, if any, in the film. :) There's a larger image of it (unidentified) at Allposter-UK although it's out of stock.

Glynis is gorgeous with long hair. I've only seen her with a shorter haircut.

Barbara

Fellwanderer

That had been my first thought too. Like Barbara, I didn't think the top was right though.

All the best
FELL

A signature is no substitute for a life

sheriff_bart

Actually i'm not sure where its from film wise i'm assuming it might be a publicity shot for "Miranda" as she looks very similar, the top was maybe so she did'nt offend anyone.

Steve Crook

It's from about the same time as Miranda, she's about the same age and their hair is similar. But I don't think it's actually a scene from the film.

It could well be just a general publicity photo that she had done at about that time.

Steve