The type of browser you use to do your online shopping might now affect the price you pay for goods… At least if you shop at Kogan.com, the Australian electronics retailer.

Taking aim at Microsoft, the ‘Internet Explorer 7 Tax‘ is a 6.8% charge levied on and purchases from Kogan.com, and comes with a snarky message:

Founder Ruslan Kogan isn’t just doing this for financial reasons or to cause a few laughs, as he explained: “It’s not only costing us a huge amount, it’s affecting any business with an online presence, and costing the Internet economy millions.”

He also explained that the key to offering such low prices on goods has been utilising the most efficient and streamlined cloud business services available. Yet when his staff spend more time than is necessary to make the site look normal to IE7 users it reduces their productivity in other areas that could help drive costs down for consumers.

Kogan’s final remark was this:

“As Internet citizens, we all have a responsibility to make the Internet a better place. By taking these measures, we are doing our bit. This will help us increase our efficiency, help keep prices for all smart shoppers down, and hopefully help eradicate the world of the pain in the rear that is IE7.”

So what to you think of this? A pedantic PR stunt, or does Ruslan Kogan genuinely want people to use a better web browser? Feel free to weigh in with your comments and tell us which browser you use and why you think it’s the best for your needs.