Quote:
Originally Posted by AprilHare
I've been checking out Sony Readers and looked at the price comparison with the United States.
Given that Australia is currently pegged approximately equal to the loonie and near enough to the US dollar not to matter, I left out exchange rates.
The PRS350SC is advertised at $229 AUD inc. GST; that is, $208.18 AUD + $20.82 AUD GST.
The PRS650BC is advertised at $299 AUD inc. GST; that is, $271.82 AUD + $27.18 AUD GST.
On Sony US's website, the Reader Touch Edition is $229.99 USD and the Reader Pocket Edition is $179.99 USD.
That's a considerable price difference..
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Actually I don't think it is that different. If we take (at current exchange rate of $AUD=$0.97US) then;
$179.99US = $185.33AUD
Now there is an import tariff/duty, which would be either 5% or 10%, so working off 10% that is $18.53. So total now is $203.86AUD. Add 10% GST and we're up to $224.25AUD. So $229 is there about right.
BUT!!! and this is a big BUT, those prices are based off retail price for Sony in the US. Sony would not import those units at their retail price. I think overall we are paying a little extra in comparison but not too much.
I had a discussion with Ectaco (unsuccessful) about the Jetbook and Australian prices. I could buy a Jetbook from Ectaco in the US and have it shipped at the high $45US price to Aus cheaper than I could buy it direct from Ectaco here in Aus (and showed the price difference taking into consideration GST and customs duties).
Now my argument is that the price in the US includes free local delivery, so this price is built into the selling price of the unit (and this was a while ago when the Aussie dollar wasn't as strong). By me buying from the US, that built in price is not needed to be expensed because I have paid the total sum for international shipping, hence a little extra $$$$ for Ectaco.
As the world is a global market now, sellers need to price geographically their goods for sale at comparable prices. Saying the world is global yet charging different amounts depends on country is defeating the purpose of a global market. Now don't get me started on the $650AUD Bebook Neo........