eBay Seller Refused to Change The Name on Invoice for Phone Purchase So TRS Could Be Claimed

leasaunce on 08/09/2018 - 22:15
Last edited 09/09/2018 - 11:38 by 1 other user

Hi guys,

Recently I bought a phone for my dad, Father’s Day gift. I purchased the phone with my eBay account and paid with my PayPal account. Phone came and I was happy. Since my dad will be flying overseas in 2 weeks time I thought it would be great if he can claim TRS at the airport.

I’ve emailed the eBay seller (local shop, with ABN) but they refused to change the name (from mine to my dad's) claiming eBay/PayPal buyer & sellers protection programme won’t cover them if I do decide to lodge a complaint to the seller.

Has anyone encountered this issue before?

• 

  oscargamer on 08/09/2018 - 22:41

  +35

  Seller is correct. You are trying to claim a tax refund when one is not due. It's also called fraud I believe.

  • 

    SnoozeAndLose on 08/09/2018 - 23:03

    +1

    The phone is for his dad anyone and I don't classify this as fraud.

    Goods under $1000 does not need name/address so i think his dad can also claim under the TRS

    • 

      ronnknee on 08/09/2018 - 23:22

      +1

      Goods under $1000 does not need name/address

      Correct, name/address are not required. However, since a different name is provided then that could be grounds for rejection.

    • 

      whooah1979 on 09/09/2018 - 00:09

      It could be an iPhone X.

    • 

      whooah1979 on 09/09/2018 - 00:18

      +3

      https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/ente/tour/are-you-a-trav…

      you, as the travelling passenger, paid for the goods

    • 

      Baghern on 09/09/2018 - 11:53

      yep its fraud, some people think its a loop hole its not.

      When you claim this item, you're stating you're not bringing it back to Australia … I think the time limit is 6months maybe more.

      There was a case on Boarder Force recently doing exactly this.

      Purchased over 50k worth of items, claimed refund, went on return trip overseas, came back with the items. At customs was made to pay the duty

      • 

        SnoozeAndLose on 09/09/2018 - 12:29

        If the item is less than $900(after depreciation as it turn from brand new to second hand), and you are not bring anything else then it ia all fine.

        In your case $50k is a bit excessive that why they made him pay back plus penalty.

    • 

      HighAndDry on 10/09/2018 - 13:26

      The phone is for his dad

      Receipt is for the buyer. I.e.: "Received money from this person."

  • 

    whooah1979 on 09/09/2018 - 00:16

    Edit

• 

  Ughhh on 09/09/2018 - 00:00

  +1

  You can ask, but the seller doesn't have to oblige. Not his issue.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 09/09/2018 - 00:12

  +1

  Seller is in the right. He is tin plating his a$$ and doesn't care that someone can claim the gst. Not worth sellers risk.

• 

  whooah1979 on 09/09/2018 - 00:24

  +1

  Op, is your father coming back to Australia?
  http://www.ausbt.com.au/govt-cracks-down-on-airport-trs-reba…

• 

  PPPPPPPENGKAGAWA on 09/09/2018 - 07:18

  -2

  It's illegal to bring tax free item back to Australia.

  • 

    whooah1979 on 09/09/2018 - 07:23

    +1

    Hmm. Not quite right.

    https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/ente/tour/are-you-a-trav…

    If the total value of the goods you are bringing into Australia that you purchased overseas or for which you have claimed a refund under TRS is greater than your passenger concession:
    you must declare all of their goods
    you will need to repay the GST refund back on the goods you claimed under the TRS
    duty and GST will apply to all items purchased, not just goods over the limit of your passenger concession.
    Penalties can apply if you don't declare that you have goods in excess of your passenger concession.

  • 

    tranter on 09/09/2018 - 08:26

    +1

    Illegal not.

    There is a $900 passenger concession and families can also pool their concession allowance.

    Even if it's above the concession allowance it's not illegal to bring the items back, you just have to declare them and pay any duty and GST.

• 

  Melb69 on 09/09/2018 - 08:50

  +2

  I think the issues is that its your dad going overseas with the phone not you which has the purchase details on it. Also the Ebayer isn't going to change the name on the sellers details you purchased the item. Are you serious.

• 

  leasaunce on 09/09/2018 - 18:12

  Thanks all for you’re help (My dad is visit Sydney & he doesn’t live here).