Quote:
Originally Posted by khalleron
On a recent visit to Australia, I was shocked! by the book prices. Reading must be an expensive hobby Down Under.
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Yep! The hard cover Stephen King novel 11.22.63 is $52.95 at our local book store.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabredog
Absolutely.
There has been radio interviews with Dick Smith here of late. Dick is normally someone I listen to as he is a self made millionaire, making his money in electronics and is now heavily involved in promoting Australian made products.
But he rabbitted on about internet shopping and how Australians should buy locally to support local businesses and their staff.
Sorry Dick, you are in the same camp as Gerry Harvey. I am not going to continue being ripped off. I will continue to buy online. Plus, my wallet loves me for it!
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There's one flaw in this argument. One which gets a bit political but as the subject of off-shore business has been raised I'll make a quick comment.
While our wallets like it, our jobs fly off overseas. They're closing the car manufacturing plants and we're importing more and more food while farmers bulldoze their orchards.
If we go to a serious state of war we'll be unable to manufacture aircraft or vehicles or feed the troops because we are no longer self-reliant. Just like what happened to the U.K. in WWII.
The reason that the U.S. just set up military bases in Australia's north west, much to China's annoyance and protesting, is that they have publicly stated that Australian and Canadian territories are in their sights for expansion. But by the looks of it, they'll probably just buy it rather than take it because we're selling it to them like it's a fire sale anyway.