Wow, what a difference a little sun makes, especially over the weekend! Everyone seems a little more positive today and I couldn't resist heading home to sit on my deck and knock a blog out on my new iPad. This was of course purely for experimental purposes, could I work away from the office without carting my laptop with me? So I put the phone on divert and sit here with iPad, iPhone and a cup of coffee.

Well GST went up a couple of days ago and it seemed to me to happen with a real whimper. Not many people I have spoken to have really noticed it at all. It seems to be either retailers/coffee shops etc have either not done anything or taken the opportunity to hike prices by over 10%. I think Kiwis by and large are a lot more discerning buyers now and the profiteers will notice very quickly that regular customers seem to be not so regular now.

I admit though being a city dweller, I haven't filled the car up yet and that will probably be where most people notice the increase.

I do not believe this will affect the business sales market or our clients, with GST really just being an 'in and out' or an 'out and in' transaction. It could affect cost of sales and/or OPEX somewhat if suppliers and creditors use the increase as an opportunity to recoup some of there recession losses.

Cash flow could also, I expect, be a little squeezed if companies are on an invoice basis with IRD, and aren't collecting those invoices as quickly as they would like then the extra 2.5% just adds to the pain.

If companies needed to update any plant and equipment you would hope that they had the foresight to arrange that before the 30/9/10 but again this is an out and in transaction again.

A business sale is in most cases zero rated, provided it is sold as a going concern and both parties are registered for GST at the time of supply (usually unconditional date) so again the increase has no effect.

Well if we are done with GST I say that September was a very good month for Paul and I. We had 4 transaction complete, with a fifth that was delayed and will settle this week. We have a couple of nice businesses that we are readying for the market in the next 7 days, one in the Technology providers area, value around $5m and a nice little Import/Distribution business which operates in a consumable products area and that will be around $2m.

The September/December quarter always seems to be the best time each year to either find an opportunity or to exit one so keep your eyes out for our product email.

We also will be now putting our Newsletter out monthly now rather than bi-monthly so if you aren't signed up for that flick me through an email and I will add you to the list.

Well the iPad has held up pretty well I would have to say. I suppose it makes little difference with the virtual keyboard when you only use at best 4 fingers when typing. If you are thinking of an iPad I would definitely recommend one. Just make sure you get the 3G and Wireless model because then it is an anywhere anytime proposition rather than hoping for a hotspot.