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Are you trying to be the 'typical' American who portrays 'facts' about other countries that are nothing of the sort? Minimum wage is AUD 17.29 per hour, not th

by ojm 11y ago

Are you trying to be the 'typical' American who portrays 'facts' about other countries that are nothing of the sort? Minimum wage is AUD 17.29 per hour, not the AUD ~28 you quote. A hostel at Bondi Beach is ~ USD 50 per night, not the USD 70 you quoted (and this is an expensive spot!). I can only think you must have visited when the USD was down the toilet. On the hostel charging USD 25 for 8 hours. You can get a 4G sim card with with 50mbps+ download and 5GB limit for AUD 30ish. But yes, everything is more expensive, generally. The dollar fluctuations makes it interesting. Also, sales tax is included in our prices unlike the US.

bobby_9x 11y ago
"Are you trying to be the 'typical' American who portrays 'facts' about other countries that are nothing of the sort?" The facts are that Australia has high taxes and is much more expensive than the US. The numbers I gave might not be 100% accurate, but it's still a fact. "Also, sales tax is included in our prices unlike the US." I would rather have sales tax separated. Why? I've seen so many people bitching about why certain products are more expensive in Australia, and commonly blame the company. In reality, they should be blaming the government. Merging the prices allows politicians to raise taxes without the citizens actually knowing the true amount. The same thing happens with the gas tax in the US. So many people bitch about the cost, yet have no idea that taxes account for a big portion of it.
- allendoerfer 11y ago
  I would rather have sales tax separated. Why? I've seen so many people bitching about why certain products are more expensive in Australia, and commonly blame the company. In reality, they should be blaming the government. Merging the prices allows politicians to raise taxes without the citizens actually knowing the true amount. This is not true. If you sell to consumers in Germany, you have to add the sales tax in your prices, too, but you also have to give out an receipt that shows the tax rate and amount. I believe it is the same in Australia. The consumer knows the tax rate and he does not have to calculate the price he is paying. If you sell to businesses only, you do not have to add the tax in your prices, but you have to give out this receipt, too.

by ojm 11y ago

bobby_9x 11y ago

"Are you trying to be the 'typical' American who portrays 'facts' about other countries that are nothing of the sort?" The facts are that Australia has high taxes and is much more expensive than the US. The numbers I gave might not be 100% accurate, but it's still a fact. "Also, sales tax is included in our prices unlike the US." I would rather have sales tax separated. Why? I've seen so many people bitching about why certain products are more expensive in Australia, and commonly blame the company. In reality, they should be blaming the government. Merging the prices allows politicians to raise taxes without the citizens actually knowing the true amount. The same thing happens with the gas tax in the US. So many people bitch about the cost, yet have no idea that taxes account for a big portion of it.

allendoerfer 11y ago
I would rather have sales tax separated. Why? I've seen so many people bitching about why certain products are more expensive in Australia, and commonly blame the company. In reality, they should be blaming the government. Merging the prices allows politicians to raise taxes without the citizens actually knowing the true amount. This is not true. If you sell to consumers in Germany, you have to add the sales tax in your prices, too, but you also have to give out an receipt that shows the tax rate and amount. I believe it is the same in Australia. The consumer knows the tax rate and he does not have to calculate the price he is paying. If you sell to businesses only, you do not have to add the tax in your prices, but you have to give out this receipt, too.