Takealot takes aim at "offshore online shopping" in South Africa

[Jan]

Takealot takes aim at Temu and Shein

Takealot is in talks with governmental and non-governmental institutions in South Africa regarding the regulation of offshore e-commerce in the country, with its sights set on companies like Temu and Shein.

In an interview with 702, Takealot Group CEO Fred Zietsman explained that while third-party sellers on Takealot are forced to pay import duties and taxes for imported products, some "new players" don't tend to adhere to these regulations.

 

[Lupus]

Here's an idea... Drop the prices to compete, I mean why are we paying 3 times more for the same stuff?

 

[Pegging]

It's going to be a short meeting if you are going to start with lies.

“Our concern with offshore online services is that they are not paying the correct duties and VAT. So, our national revenue is implicated, and our local producers are disadvantaged,” he said.

 

[Lupus]

It's going to be a short meeting if you are going to start with lies.

“Our concern with offshore online services is that they are not paying the correct duties and VAT. So, our national revenue is implicated, and our local producers are disadvantaged,” he said.

Local producers? What local producers? Drop shipping isn't producing.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Takealot complaining to government about their Chinese masters, let's see how that works out for them...

 

[Alexander the Straight]

"Lawrence explained that their local courier and service provider partners are reporting their duties and taxes correctly to Sars incorrectly."

Lawrence is just trying to confuse us into not buying from Temu, not gonna work, Lawrence

 

[Dolby]

Here's an idea... Drop the prices to compete, I mean why are we paying 3 times more for the same stuff?

And it feels like the more competition, the higher the pricing ...

They used to be my default online store as the pricing was decent relative to everyone else. But recently, it seems that everything I search for, Takealot is more expensive

 

[Lupus]

I mean...


I mean sure there are only 20, but R33


15pc

vs
5

 

[Quicks]

Fok off, Takealot I will stop using them just because they talk Kak. Haven't used temu or Shein yet but the more these big players like Takealot talk about them the more I am likely to use them rather then paying over 300% for the same product.

 

[Lupus]

And it feels like the more competition, the higher the pricing ...

They used to be my default online store as the pricing was decent relative to everyone else. But recently, it seems that everything I search for, Takealot is more expensive

It really does feel like that. Though somethings I've seen drop actually since Temu came around, but even the drop is still R200 more then temu.

 

[stefan9]

Seems the normal corporate SA tactic. Can't compete let's run to government for protection. Hasn't worked for monochoice and won't work here.

 

[Nanfeishen]

The local market sour grapes because people are actually shopping around and realising they are being ripped off by local pricing.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Sometimes TAL doesn't even have the stuff you want.

I want to use the ladies change room at Virgin Active, and TAL has nothing but Temu does...

 

[EL'Diablo]

RIP Takealot, no hard feelings, you served your purpose

 

[blunt]

takealots prices on some items are daylight robbery, their sellers are taking the piss - double or more on many items, even compared to Makro.

 

[B-1]

The same middlemen that ignore complaints about bait and switch, predatory pricing etc are now crying. I have no simpathy.

 

[Bliksis]

Haha I doubt any of this will result in price drops.

 

[Bliksis]

RIP Takealot, no hard feelings, you served your purpose

I do share your sentiment, but I doubt they are done.

 

[Slckrck]

Here's an idea... Drop the prices to compete, I mean why are we paying 3 times more for the same stuff?

Basically the argument is, government taxes and import duties increases costs of importing therefore those costs is forwarded to the customer. Whereas direct shopping and shipping platforms like Shein and Temu doesn't face the same costs (or skirts by through loopholes and illegality).

Government's argument for these stringent added costs for thing that we do not even produce domestically is capital exchange controls. Then the ANC's policies of middle man economics (aka BEE) exacerbates the cost of living even further.

So instead of competitive prices for goods, we pay exorbitant premiums on every item we buy.

Ultimately in such a disfunctional system, it is your duty as a consumer to support the circumventing of these Draconian rules, so if government tries to stop Temu or Shein from selling at these prices. Vote for a better more caring government.

 

[Roger Banana]

I mean...
View attachment 1700715
View attachment 1700717
I mean sure there are only 20, but R33
View attachment 1700719
View attachment 1700721
15pc
View attachment 1700723
vs
5
View attachment 1700725

Ya this is ridiculous.

However, what takealot has which the others won't, is knowing that you will get your delivery in a couple of days. For some people, the premium will be worth it.

I do agree though that it's not a level playing field if you are paying different taxes for the same goods - then the price difference should be a premium for getting your goods quicker. Although a lot of these people will be VAT vendors so do they even pay in that case?