Aussie Dollar Strong. Aussie sellers weak.

[headman]

No Michael, I'm not a retailer (music or otherwise), but I understand the cost of selling goods and services to the public. I stated in my first reply to you that I don't buy equipment from music shops as they don't sell what I need and want and I suggest that you should do that too. If you don't like the deal that they offer, go elsewhere, it's their business they can sell what they like and at a cost that they are comfortable with. I also mentioned I would not like to be in just about any retail business these days; you think you have it hard, everyone is in the same boat, just try to break even and have some fun.

headman

[ChrisW]

I wouldn't necessarily say it's retailers at fault.
It could be local distributors, heck I've often thought non US customers were screwed by manufacturers, so they could offer deeper discounts to US customers.
Logic Studio is $499US at the Apple store US, $749AUD at the Aussie Apple store.
At today's exchange rate $499 is $509AUD....add GST = $560.
Still nearly two hundred dollars difference, from the same retailer and manufacturer (Apple).

[NYMo]

Hi there,

A couple of thoughts from someone who managed Australias largest MI stores in the 80's

The wholesalers set the buying margins and RRP price for the retailer.
In the company I worked for (Brashs) the net profit margin to retail was 2% on gross !

Cheers
John NYMO Nyman

[Dallas]

In the company I worked for (Brashs) the net profit margin to retail was 2% on gross !

Bet there were still dickheads that thought you were ripping them off!!

[we88]

the real problem is everything is over-inflated in Aus, .

I blame John Howard.. and yes having come back from an extended trip OS and i can see that although we pay too much for everything (especially beer), but the problem lies in the size of the market not the exchange rate. If one looks at what is happening with audio retailers OS (US and Europe) you see they are also collapsing under the new internet/DHL epoch. Just the large retailers are surviving through gross numbers and gobbling up a lot of the smaller players. The Thomann/Sweetwaters of the world and the boutique service oriented ones get by.

Personally, I found my retailer of choice always came close enough to my wish price (import) to negate the need to buy OS (except for junk and stuff that isn't readily available here) but i have very little gear that is Made in America, although come to think of it, even the couple of Distressors i bought recently were within 12% of the import price. A price i happily paid.

[headman]

Yep, That John Howard sure has a lot to answer for, the music industry is in tatters because of him.


headman

[Ausrock]

Yep, That John Howard sure has a lot to answer for, the music industry is in tatters because of him.


headman

ROFLMFAO

Some people (not you Tony) just have to find someone to blame, their (for whatever distorted reason) narrow view just doesn't let them see that this issue can't be blamed on any one specific person.

[DarkSky]

OK lets start buying Aussie gear, but who and where. The only people I know here in Australia is BeesNeez mics, JLM and Pro-harmonics.
Lets support them for a start never mind the importers.

nIC

Also, for instrument amps, There's Sherlock, FWIW.

[waitup]

http://www.bjamplifiers.com.au/

http://www.tymguitars.com.au/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earthling ... 026?ref=ts

There's a few aussie guys doing great stuff if yer a guitar player...

[Ender]

Tim Evans has started a new guitar amp line too, they sound awesome:

http://www.georgeevans.com.au/index.php

Oh, and I was going to add since I hadn't seen it mentioned in this thread, that Manny's in Melbourne have made a "promise" to try and match any real (ie. delivered) overseas purchase price. I've not got much through them before, but its a great gesture and I'd definitely make me consider trying them in the future. If they could get what I was after though.. exclusive resellers, etc. etc.

http://www.mannys.com.au/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=145

It's a good thing pro audio gear is often purchased on reputation more than actually going to listen to it.. I hunt for the best price as much as the next guy, and can see our general price expectations are heading us in a direction where it won't be worthwhile for local outlets to hold stock of items of value, which in pro audio's case, is probably quite a bit of it. It'll be sad to not be able to go twiddle the knobs before pulling out the card.

[chris p]

Part of the answer lies in supporting / encouraging / buying from local manufacturers. That way its us getting the "local" price, and believe you me, I reckon I can get a chain thats the match of anything on the planet buying from Aussie manufacturers (match = as good as, not identical to).

Except maybe for consoles, but they seem to be dying beasts now anyway (OK, I admit that last bit is tongue in cheek).