Rands Coming To Steam

Solitude

Solitude

Mr. Nice Guy
So it looks like the next Steam version will have South African Rands which most likely mean that we will start paying that digital tax.

I hope MyGaming doesn't mind but I'll be linking to your competition:
http://www.lazygamer.net/pc-gaming/...-african-rands-to-steam-digital-tax-incoming/

People who’ve data mined the latest Steam beta build have discovered something that’s rather pertinent to those of us here at the bottom of Africa. It looks like Steam’s going to officially support the South African Rand – so you’ll be able to buy your games in ZAR. That may not be a good thing.


Here’s the data, as found in Steam’s latest build:

steam

While it does mean you’ll possibly no longer be charged for international currency transactions when you buy from Steam, it’s incredibly likely that this means that digital sales tax we heard so much about is finally hitting the PC gamer’s preferred platform. You’ll very likely have to pay VAT on your Steam games.

It’s might not be all bad. Steam usually has different pricing levels for third world countries; Brazil, Mexico, India and other countries benefit from a lower cost of games on Valve’s digital distribution platform, and it’s possible that we’ll see cheaper games on Steam, bring new PC game releases at least in line with physical, store-bought pricing. I very much doubt it though. The SA game industry still very much relies on the physical product, and I’m certain local distributors will do what they can to keep games at a cost that justifies opting for physical.

I’m honestly okay with that – as long as Valve doesn’t use the same currency converter’s that Sony Europe does when calculating PSN game prices.
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I really hope that means we will get cheaper games and not have things become a lot more expensive.
 
BeoTeK said:
hhahaha.... this is South Africa, what'dya think?!
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I'm an eternal optimist. :) But yeah chances are slim that game prices will decrease. Games in other third world countries are cheaper though so maybe, just maybe we will be lucky.
 
I must say nowdays I buy most of my games through other sites- GMG, Humble, Bundlestars, funstock. Steam usually only offers 75% off, but the others often have some insane discounts. the only games I still buy through steam are ubisoft games to get the steam versions.
 
Solitude said:
I'm an eternal optimist. :) But yeah chances are slim that game prices will decrease. Games in other third world countries are cheaper though so maybe, just maybe we will be lucky.
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All I ask is that the prices stay on par with the ZAR-$ exchange rate and that we'll pay the same price we would have if we had converted it.





blaaislaai said:
Hopefully no digital tax, but what if you change your region in STEAM?
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Changing region won't matter, it will filter depending IP. Unless you use a proxy or mask your IP.
 
I pay 60-something rand for a $4.99 purchase, I hope it remains the same. If the price goes up then they should just stick to USD.
 
Microsoft ZA store has the best pricing conversion, of around 10-1. The ZA PSN store on the other hand, works on the principle of "F%*K YOU" and their prices reflect this.

Hoping the Steam ZA store uses former pricing model, not the latter
 
Not sure why ppl are negative about this?

Unless they fk with the region pricing it should result in an immediate 2-3% saving on CC charges.

Hiro said:
Microsoft ZA store has the best pricing conversion, of around 10-1.
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This is of interest to me...any links/details?
 
I'm optimistic.

Origin has prices in ZAR and they're priced at about the same as retail. Most new releases go for R599, and some for R499 (Witcher 3). While on Steam most new releases are $60. So with our current exchange rate I'd actually prefer Steam to go along with whatever EA is doing.

Worst that could happen is direct $ to R conversion plus tax. Witcher 3 would be over R800 (R11.89 to $) if that happens. And I don't see the exchange dropping to sub R10 per $ anytime soon/ever.

Maybe we'll be lucky and get Russian prices. Then we can start a whole lot of game-keys-for-sale related websites for some quick profit :D
 
ave said:
But 14% VAT
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Would be very weird if that changes. VAT laws are law...it can't change just because currency changes....the VAT laws aren't linked to currency. So if it does change then either the old process was wrong (i.e. should have been paying all along) or the new process is wrong.
 
HavocXphere said:
Would be very weird if that changes. VAT laws are law...it can't change just because currency changes....the VAT laws aren't linked to currency. So if it does change then either the old process was wrong (i.e. should have been paying all along) or the new process is wrong.
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Well the government has implemented / been threatening to implement a digital TAX, which we haven't had in the past, so what people are worried about it that by steam introducing Rand into it's store, this could be the start of them complying / setting up the store to accommodate our new digital tax laws. Let's just say that ever since the law was announced, we've been waiting for it to hit us, so it may be nothing, but we're all just a little paranoid at the moment.
 
HavocXphere said:
Would be very weird if that changes. VAT laws are law...it can't change just because currency changes....the VAT laws aren't linked to currency. So if it does change then either the old process was wrong (i.e. should have been paying all along) or the new process is wrong.
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I think we haven't been paying VAT, but been paying what ever it is in America.
 
Grievous said:
I think we haven't been paying VAT, but been paying what ever it is in America.
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that's exactly it, we haven't. We've been paying what ever the current R-$ exchange rate is, to the T. With this new law the prices then will be more than what is will cost to buy retail. Suddenly you'll see an influx in retail purchases.
 
BeoTeK said:
that's exactly it, we haven't. We've been paying what ever the current R-$ exchange rate is, to the T. With this new law the prices then will be more than what is will cost to buy retail. Suddenly you'll see an influx in retail purchases.
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Unless as suggested Valve has a different price for the products in South Africa, like they have done with other 3rd world countries. Also how much are they currently adding? Surely that tax will be removed. We really just going to have to wait. I mostly buy my stuff on sale anyway, which is generally a lot cheaper than retail.
 
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