VATupdate Newsletter Week 08 2023

Waiting times

The current waiting time for a new Toyota Prius in the USA is 18-24 months. That’s 2 years! The waiting time for a new bike is 6 to 18 months, depending on the brand and type that you want. And depending on what parts you need, because the waiting time for those is also months.

How long must you boil an egg? And why are there different colours? HERE

Whether it’s Covid, the war in Ukraine, general economic recession, lack of (good) employees, or natural disasters, it feels as if we have to wait a lot longer for stuff that was readily available several years ago. Perhaps it made shops and businesses more careful in holding a lot of stock. Or it’s because people have more personalised and specific wishes, and companies only offer mainstream products and services.

I may have mentioned this before, but I’m under the impression that consumers and producers have grown apart a long time ago. In a way it makes sense for companies to standardize and simplify their products as much as possible: cars use the same chassis, the same chips fit in phones of all brands and sizes, hair gel only comes in one colour as long as it makes your hair sticky.

But it’s also the fault of the consumers: they want to have everything they see. Preferably immediately, and everything must be more special then what their friends have.

There’s a song in Dutch, which has the text: “Everything must be more unique than unique. Everything must be more special than special.” And do you remember the bystander in the movie “Life of Brian”, who, when the statement was made: We are all individuals, we are all special, answered: “I’m not”?

Joking aside, I really believe that people are responsible for what they do, and that they should understand and agree with the consequences of their behaviour. This includes thinking about what and how much you want to consume as a consumer. But also what you want to achieve and offer as a producer or seller. More, more, more, is not always better.

Except for more VAT of course. But you can consume that every day, for free, on our website: www.vatupdate.com. And if you want to help us produce more VAT news, please let us know: we are always looking for enthusiastic contributors.

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