The views expressed herein are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of One News SVG.
By Adrian Odle.
The VAT-Free Shopping Day is meant to help the Vincentian public get an “ease up” at the checkout. When some wealthy businesses raise prices, days before the VAT Free Day, then advertise “savings”, it defeats the purpose and shows how greedy our capitalist machinery has become. Price increases right before the day are unethical.
Not every Vincentian may understand what is happening on the VAT Free Day. It simply means that VAT is removed from eligible goods sold by what we call VAT registered businesses, once the sale meets the official conditions. This would mean saving around 16 percent off what you usually pay for certain goods.
However, this VAT Free Day does not cover things like services (getting your vehicle washed or paying someone to cut your yard, etc). It also does not cover certain restricted items, and it does not guarantee a bargain if the store price was inflated before the day.
Some big businesses may turn the relief of Vincentians into profit. This price gouging targets families who cannot shop around, cannot track price history, or cannot wait for a different time. It makes the public feel foolish for participating in a day designed to help them. It also hurts honest businesses because it creates suspicion across the entire Vincentian retail sector.
Just as a reminder to my fellow Vincentians so that they can make the best of their VAT free day:
VAT-Free Items (Frequently Consumed)
(These items already have no VAT)
Staple Foods
Non-packaged white rice
Milk
Non-packaged wheat flour
Onions
Garlic
Lentils
Cereal
Bakery products including cakes, biscuits and pastries
Meat and Poultry
Chicken back, neck and wings
Chicken sausages (canned and packaged)
Chicken thigh, chicken wings, leg quarts, breast, drumstick (parts of chickens; does not include whole chicken)
Turkey back, neck and wings
Canned Foods
Canned tuna
Canned sardine
Baby and Health
Baby formula
Categories of health drinks (these include but are not limited to Ensure, Supligen, Boost, PediaSure, Nutriment and Glucerna)
Adult diapers
Prescription medicines
Household and Personal Care
Toilet paper
Sanitary tampons and towels
Napkins and napkin liners for babies
Undergarments
Phosphate-free detergents
Education and Business Inputs
Exercise books
Packages, containers, labels and bottles
Energy and Technology
Energy saving bulbs
Water heaters
Solar water heaters
Solar panels
Computers
Biodegradable containers or biodegradable packaging for food
Remember these items “DO NOT COUNT”:
Tobacco products
Firearms and ammunition and
Motor vehicles are excluded, Do not go down to Hyundai or Star Garage asking fro a VAT free vehicle.
Now let us look at what we call eligible goods. “Eligible goods” covers a lot of everyday products, including electronics such as televisions, computers, smartphones and audio equipment, household appliances like refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and microwaves, food and beverages (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic), clothing and footwear including school uniforms and work boots, furniture such as beds, sofas, dining sets and office items, building materials including cement, lumber, steel, paint, tiles and plumbing fixtures, automotive parts like tires, batteries and other spare parts (but not the vehicle itself), cosmetics and toiletries and other non-prescription personal care items, and general merchandise including toys, and kitchenware etc.
Happy shopping and examine every price carefully!
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