http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/societ...0315-q9id.html

....but no doubt the "small population, large country" will appear in the letters column tomorrow.

I've bought 3 pairs of trainers from the UK in the last week...cost slightly less than A$250. Cost here, just a shade under A$500 and no price differential between retailers.

This bloke must know what he's talking about, after all he's lived here over a year


I have now lived in Australia for more than a year and am amazed by the possibilities this land has to offer.


Obviously not one of those fly by night Johnnies who rock in in on the morning flight and have the whole country sorted out by lunchtime

all very good in principle but difficult to effect in a country where choice is extremely limited. This is a country of franchises, meaning that you have the choice of one franchise or another.

With regard to services like I said in another thread there are good & bad worldwide.
Now the cost of goods, that is my biggest bugbear here. I've so many examples of blatant rip offs it's beyond a joke. Excuse wise I've heard loads. The usual is "well we do have to add 10% GST" big deal the U.K has to add 17.5% VAT so there's a 7.5% saving NOT! Another "well, we do have a reduced market to support us"
I recently had the misfortune to roll my mower down the rather steep slope we live on. I survived with a few cuts & bruises, the mower deck was badly twisted. It's a Craftsman, made by Sears in the U.S. To buy the replacement cutting deck here in Qld the price is $968. To buy the same deck in the states is $136 U.S [$148 Aussie]
I buy gear from the U.K & the U.S often as price wise the Aussies just can't compete, unpatriotic? nope just a conscientious consumer.

I'm actually quite surprised that you didn't come out with the mantra that "if he doesn't like it he should just **** off home".
Pretty par for the course for you.

"We need to change the Australian consumer culture"



He is new round here isn't he! Some of us have been saying that for years!!

Someone also needs to tell him that he needs to work out which he is........an Aussie or a Brit...... "and most surprising to me as a Briton" and "second-best is a price we pay for being Australian





(Mods hat firmly OFF before I get another pile of abuse by pm for stating a personal view.)

I frequently check the prices of things overseas. If there isn't much difference, I'll buy here. I don't mind to much paying 10% or even 20% (if the service is good) more for something. However, if I feel I'm being ripped off I'll either buy it online, or wait for my next overseas trip or simply not buy it at all. As a matter of principle, I resent being ripped off and will look for an alternative.

Unfortunately, Australian consumers are fairly laid back and don't shop around as much as they should. One reason is that it's been such a long time since there was a recession in this country and real wages have been climbing steadily.

Good article. I very rarely but 'big' purchases in Australia simply because of the expense.

Scuba diving equipment is a case in point. If you buy it from the US it is a third of the price (including shipping), it's a no brainer for me.

Not really a practical option if you want a new fridge.

Possibly not. Have you tried though?

I'm sure that it's all twice the price as it's built for 'tough Aussie conditions'

Has anyone else noticed that whenever there is a campaigner on tv, green issues/retail etc, they always seem to be a Britian?

Don't the locals give a damn!!

Postie would never get it on the back of those little bikes.

Although some things are generally more expensive like books I've found that you can get good deals for most things by shopping around. When I arrived the fridge I bought was a lot cheaper than the same model back in the UK. I think the real pain in the arse here is having to shop around to find the best price. And that the prices on the Internet are no real indication of best price.

As for the article. Is the author the head of Choice magazine and is he telling us that we should exert more consumer choice? Hmm! I wonder why he's doing that?