Thread: Price gouging why are we paying so much?

I just bought 2 swing gate openers from the us, 850 each locally, 2 landed from the states for $805, I'm willing to pay a premium to shop locally, but not 110%, it helps when you work in an industry that can't be replaced by international purchase

Originally Posted by Ivan

Definitely Ripoff territory here in Aus. I just took an alternator in to have a new Diode pack fitted, $220!!!! I appreciate the blokes got to make as living but I can get a brand new Alternator for 95GBP about $140 from the UK!!!!
Cheapest new Alternator I saw over here was over $400!

Ivan

You went to the wrong auto elec mate, mine charges 80 bucks for a full overhaul.

Typical for me I always find out after the event

I have just this week replaced my water pump.
I called the closest LR parts/workshop for a price and availability, Err $394.50 in stock.
It was at this time i got my pushbike out and went for a long ride 55km round trip and saved myself $270 for the same part!
WOW that is what i call a mark up.
Now i understand that a company must make a profit or they go out of business but they will also go out of business if they loose their customer base.

I've run into this scenerio more than once... Latest was trying to purchase a charging cradle for my son's Maglite (re-chargeable)
Local cost on ebay was around $50 or so, with the whole kit at $325+.

Buying direct from USA was $22 and $98... The fly in the ointment being that they would not ship to Australia, because they have a binding contract with Maglite and the local agent... They will ship to other unspecified international addresses.

Naturally there are ways around this, a US-based 'shopping address' is the obvious one. (at a fee, of course ! )

Cunning Old James in Gosnells.

Originally Posted by superquag

I've run into this scenerio more than once... Latest was trying to purchase a charging cradle for my son's Maglite (re-chargeable)
Local cost on ebay was around $50 or so, with the whole kit at $325+.

Buying direct from USA was $22 and $98... The fly in the ointment being that they would not ship to Australia, because they have a binding contract with Maglite and the local agent... They will ship to other unspecified international addresses.

Naturally there are ways around this, a US-based 'shopping address' is the obvious one. (at a fee, of course ! )

Cunning Old James in Gosnells.

This must be a breach of the US-Aus Free Trade Agreement. It is most certainly a restriction on trade.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

This must be a breach of the US-Aus Free Trade Agreement. It is most certainly a restriction on trade.

Lots of US retailers won't ship outside the Continental US.

Even Alaska and Hawaii often miss out, let alone the poor Canadians.

I politely answered their reply, pointing out the significant differances in US / Australian prices.... Maglite $325+ compared to $98 or less....and their purchasing officer immediately replied.... "outrageous prices..." - and has offered to quote and ship direct to me !

Won that one without even trying !