Amazing price difference

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Oct 27th 2010, 5:37 pm

#16

ponyrama

beach bum

Joined: Feb 2008

Location: Snowy Mountains, NSW

Posts: 1,995

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Wookie

Well, it's a Panasonic Lumix camera. I'm assuming they're made in Japan, and not the US or UK. Even if they were, it would hardly be a valid reason for charging over twice the amount?

You then of course have the ridiculously inflated of items such as books and computer games.

This thread wasn't intended as a 'Australia is so expensive' argument. More that for this particular item the price here in Australia seemed absurdly above the cost elsewhere.

Well I could have gone into the whole market forces, global economy, import/export tax, demand v supply, product placement and comparable competition arguments as to why it might cost so much more - but I couldnt be arsed!

Oct 27th 2010, 5:42 pm

#17

The_Wookie

BE Enthusiast

Thread Starter

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 866

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponyrama

Please do because I'm genuinely interested as to why an item is $300 more expensive here than in the UK and US, and why other items (as example from Amazulu proves) are cheaper here.

Oct 27th 2010, 5:48 pm

#18

ABCDiamond

Guest

Posts: n/a

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

BTW Amazulu 1TB Western Digis portable harddrives, plugged.... I've seen for 79 bucks recently.

That's good, best I have seen was $89 for a WD 1TB Ext Drive.

Oct 27th 2010, 5:48 pm

#19

Amazulu

Proudly Deplorable

Joined: May 2003

Location: Alloha snack bar

Posts: 24,246

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Wookie

Look at sites that do grey imports. The advantage is that you get Asian prices but they are listed in AUD - at vastly cheaper prices for Aussie stock. Also delivery times are quicker. Who cares about warranty - it is unlikely that anything will go wrong.

I bought our Lumix like this - cheaper than UK price (but not US). If you search on www.shopbot.com.au the grey imports usually list first.

Last edited by Amazulu; Oct 27th 2010 at 5:51 pm.

Oct 27th 2010, 5:48 pm

#20

ozzieeagle

Lost in BE Cyberspace

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 15,526

ozzieeagle has a reputation beyond repute

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Wookie

Okay, I know it's been discussed on here before. But once again I'm stunned at the difference in prices between Australia and the US/UK.

I'm looking to get a camera for my wife for her birthday, and the one I've been recommended is in JB HiFi for $570. I've checked it on Amazon in the US where it is $260, and Amazon UK for 200 pound.

Not a chance in hell I'll be getting it here, and Amazon doesn't ship electronic items to Australia so will get it delivered to my parents in the UK and then shipped over.

I just cannot see the justification in that much of a difference in price - crazy!

Could it be this mode lLumix ? Should be able to pick it up for 300 bucks... always haggle. Certainly no more than 320 bucks... and usually there are specials come up regularly which would bring the price down below 300.

http://dicksmith.com.au/product/XG54...digital-camera

Oct 27th 2010, 5:50 pm

#21

Amazulu

Proudly Deplorable

Joined: May 2003

Location: Alloha snack bar

Posts: 24,246

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

BTW Amazulu 1TB Western Digis portable harddrives, plugged.... I've seen for 79 bucks recently.

I was nearly tempted by a Seagate 2TB desktop drive for under $160 recently.

No need right now so I'll wait.

Oct 27th 2010, 5:52 pm

#22

ponyrama

beach bum

Joined: Feb 2008

Location: Snowy Mountains, NSW

Posts: 1,995

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Wookie

Please do because I'm genuinely interested as to why an item is $300 more expensive here than in the UK and US, and why other items (as example from Amazulu proves) are cheaper here.

Well.....Im not a 100% sure but I believe that Panasonic Australia have a monopoly on the sale and distribution of Panasonic goods here. This means that other suppliers cannot import wholesale and as a result the price is driven up as there is no legitimate competition. Panasonic Australia then use the good name of Panasonic to push prices up even further, limit availability and thus make the items more desirable, which means people will pay the extra thus fueling the high product pricing strategy.

Panasonic have copped a lot of flack in the past for this - do a quick google - you'll find stuff!

So as an individual you can source and buy from overseas as you then pay the importation etc - but if you want to buy here you basically have one wholesaler, who allows limited outlets to stock Panasonic Goods.

I think.........

Last edited by ponyrama; Oct 27th 2010 at 5:56 pm. Reason: spelling. doh !

Oct 27th 2010, 6:15 pm

#23

The_Wookie

BE Enthusiast

Thread Starter

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 866

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Nah it's the TZ10

http://dicksmith.com.au/product/XG37...digital-camera

Oct 27th 2010, 6:18 pm

#24

Amazulu

Proudly Deplorable

Joined: May 2003

Location: Alloha snack bar

Posts: 24,246

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Wookie

Nah it's the TZ10

http://dicksmith.com.au/product/XG37...digital-camera

I've got one - an awesome camera.

This is where I got it - $263.00:
http://www.citiwideonline.com/au/ind...chk=1&Itemid=1

I paid more than this.

Oct 27th 2010, 6:26 pm

#25

ABCDiamond

Guest

Posts: n/a

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Wookie

Nah it's the TZ10

http://dicksmith.com.au/product/XG37...digital-camera

This one ?

Oct 27th 2010, 6:32 pm

#26

The_Wookie

BE Enthusiast

Thread Starter

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 866

Re: Amazing price difference

Thanks for those links guys, much more palatable price! Must admit though, I get very nervous of buying from lesser known online sources.

Oct 27th 2010, 6:34 pm

#27

Amazulu

Proudly Deplorable

Joined: May 2003

Location: Alloha snack bar

Posts: 24,246

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Wookie

Thanks for those links guys, much more palatable price! Must admit though, I get very nervous of buying from lesser known online sources.

I had no problems with Citiwide.

Oct 27th 2010, 6:35 pm

#28

The_Wookie

BE Enthusiast

Thread Starter

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 866

Re: Amazing price difference

Did you get charged any import duty etc?

Oct 27th 2010, 6:37 pm

#29

Amazulu

Proudly Deplorable

Joined: May 2003

Location: Alloha snack bar

Posts: 24,246

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Wookie

Did you get charged any import duty etc?

No. Took about a week to arrive. I can't remember if it came from an Australian or Asian address.

My card was charged in AUD.

Oct 27th 2010, 6:38 pm

#30

ponyrama

beach bum

Joined: Feb 2008

Location: Snowy Mountains, NSW

Posts: 1,995

Re: Amazing price difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amazulu

I had no problems with Citiwide.

I think you have to bear in mind that many of the online stores source goods from outside of Aus and this may potentially cause a problem if anything goes wrong. I'm sure I read that Panasonic Australia warranty only covers Panasonic goods sourced from within Australia.

But I guess at half the in country price you'd take the risk?

Closed Thread Share

First
Prev
2 / 4
Next
Last