Sony Reader price markup for Australia

AprilHare · 10-03-2010, 09:19 PM

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..

viviena · 10-03-2010, 09:41 PM

This isn't unusual though, is it? (Sad to say.) We've always had to pay a fair bit more than other countries for electronic gadgets, even when the AUD was last $0.96. The Kobo sold in Australia is also $50 more expensive than its equivalent in the USA.

That said, Sony does have a history of charging high prices too -- all part of the brand, I suppose. I remember when the Playstation 3 was first released here, it was around $1 000 AUD. A similar model in the USA cost $600 USD.

sabredog · 10-03-2010, 09:43 PM

I am not at all surprised with the markup here. Australians pretty much always pay premium prices for almost everything. This is why many Australians who are net savvy buy online, as even with postage costs, the item is still cheaper.

Even the Jetbook Lite retails here via specialty estores for over AU$200.

http://australia.ectaco.com/products...-jetbook-lite/

In essence, like most Aussies, I firmly believe we are being price gouged (ripped off).

neilmarr · 10-04-2010, 02:48 AM

Just for interest, my own house has just signed a retail deal with Sony. They take a 40% retail commission (which is pretty much in line with the lower end of commissions/discounts demanded by high street brick-and-mortar bookshops -- far too high for an online store). BUT that commission applies only to ebook sales within the US. Sony claims a whopping 65% commission on sales made to 'foreign' buyers in the rest of the world. Neil

botrerta · 10-04-2010, 02:50 AM

I didn't think the pricing was that bad. The US price doesn't include sales tax and if you were to consider exchange rate variations (pretty good today, but quite variable) and freight costs the price gap isn't that bad.

I'm still more pissed off about ebook pricing in Australia (fortunately I've discovered the benefits of using a US based VPN service to sort that issue out!)

GhostDreamer · 10-04-2010, 11:44 AM

Here in Canada, we also have a mark up - well in almost everything but nothing as grossly marked up as cars!

Anyways I got my PRS650 for $249 + 13% HST so around $282 CAD. Considering our exchange rate with the US, it is cheaper to get it in the US. Even when our dollar was higher than the US dollar, prices on our items didn't drop - in fact a lot increased.

speakingtohe · 10-04-2010, 04:01 PM

I paid 223.99 including tax CAD for a Sony 350 from the Sony store. Same prices elsewhere.
Doesn't seem that much difference with current conversion rates which can change daily. 223.99 CAD = 227.05 AUD today so $1.95 difference

playful · 10-04-2010, 06:52 PM

@AprilHare,

With over a thousand posts on the forum, I'm sure you know which device you want!... LOL

But on the topic of Oz imports, in case someone is on the same path, I'd like to mention something about the Kindle DX. My lady friend brought in our first DX from the States. After 6 weeks of camping with it, I was so jealous that I wanted one. Now, my experience with Amazon is that they rarely ship electronics outside the States, and when they do, they want your left leg for shipping... But in fact they only charged me twenty bucks, and they shipped via DHL courier... The unit was delivered to me in the middle of the bush.

Hope that's not too off-topic, but I thought that on the subject of mark-ups in Oz, it's pretty sweet that you can get a DX at US prices. No GST and customs duties either.

Wishing you a fun day,

Andy

Adjust · 10-04-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playful

But on the topic of Oz imports,

Well here is another example of a "Please explain" massive American Company.

Explain why Adobe CS5 Design premium is priced at $3,175 compared with America where it is only $1,899? I Could almost understand due to shipping costs, import taxes etc.

But then, why if I download it I still have to pay $3,175.???

playful · 10-04-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Explain why Adobe CS5 Design premium is priced at $3,175 compared with America where it is only $1,899?

Yes... But what I find even more amazing is that from what I've heard, you can go to India and buy the same thing for ten dollars!!!... LOL... That blows my mind.

Adjust · 10-04-2010, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playful

Yes... But what I find even more amazing is that from what I've heard, you can go to India and buy the same thing for ten dollars!!!... LOL... That blows my mind.

Yeah, I've heard that also. But I find that hard to believe.

MrPLD · 10-04-2010, 11:15 PM

You people pay money for your software... amazing

(Just so you don't all think I'm a pirate - I'm using opensource software - though I have to admit to having purchased a few packages for Linux in the years).

Paul

AprilHare · 10-05-2010, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playful

@AprilHare,

With over a thousand posts on the forum, I'm sure you know which device you want!... LOL

My previously described Sony PRS-500 and PRS-600 might provide a clue

The PRS-950 is coming out soon.. I will evaluate it when it comes out then decide what I'm doing in the future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by playful

Hope that's not too off-topic, but I thought that on the subject of mark-ups in Oz, it's pretty sweet that you can get a DX at US prices. No GST and customs duties either.

I personally came to the conclusion that Amazon liseuses do not represent a bargain - you're tied in with them until the end of Time.
At least with a Sony Reader I have EPUB and can buy books from any old publisher rather than send all my moola to Amazon..

roger the rabbit · 10-05-2010, 06:42 AM

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..

Those are similar to the £sterling UK prices & I guess much cheaper than the €uro prices when they are announced.

EDIT!
O'oops looks like the currency rate converter I Googled was a bit out of date. those prices are much the same as the UK ones.

playful · 10-05-2010, 07:03 AM

Quote:

At least with a Sony Reader I have EPUB and can buy books from any old publisher

Calibre conversion too slow for you?

Warmest wishes,

Andy

10-03-2010, 09:19 PM	#1
AprilHare Wizard Posts: 2,981 Karma: 11862367 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony Reader PRS-T2	Sony Reader price markup for Australia 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..

10-03-2010, 09:41 PM	#2
viviena Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 520610 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canberra, Australia Device: Currently Kobo Clara HD and Aura One, iPad	This isn't unusual though, is it? (Sad to say.) We've always had to pay a fair bit more than other countries for electronic gadgets, even when the AUD was last $0.96. The Kobo sold in Australia is also $50 more expensive than its equivalent in the USA. That said, Sony does have a history of charging high prices too -- all part of the brand, I suppose. I remember when the Playstation 3 was first released here, it was around $1 000 AUD. A similar model in the USA cost $600 USD. Last edited by viviena; 10-03-2010 at 10:05 PM.

10-04-2010, 06:52 PM	#8
playful Mammal Posts: 126 Karma: 21380 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Right Here Device: Onyx Note Pro, Kindle DXG	@AprilHare, With over a thousand posts on the forum, I'm sure you know which device you want!... LOL But on the topic of Oz imports, in case someone is on the same path, I'd like to mention something about the Kindle DX. My lady friend brought in our first DX from the States. After 6 weeks of camping with it, I was so jealous that I wanted one. Now, my experience with Amazon is that they rarely ship electronics outside the States, and when they do, they want your left leg for shipping... But in fact they only charged me twenty bucks, and they shipped via DHL courier... The unit was delivered to me in the middle of the bush. Hope that's not too off-topic, but I thought that on the subject of mark-ups in Oz, it's pretty sweet that you can get a DX at US prices. No GST and customs duties either. Wishing you a fun day, Andy Last edited by playful; 10-10-2010 at 04:57 PM.

10-04-2010, 11:15 PM	#12
MrPLD Author's pet-geek Posts: 933 Karma: 1040670 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: North Queensland, Australia Device: Kindle 3 Wifi, Onyx Boox M96	You people pay money for your software... amazing (Just so you don't all think I'm a pirate - I'm using opensource software - though I have to admit to having purchased a few packages for Linux in the years). Paul Last edited by MrPLD; 10-04-2010 at 11:24 PM.

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10-03-2010, 09:43 PM	#3
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	I am not at all surprised with the markup here. Australians pretty much always pay premium prices for almost everything. This is why many Australians who are net savvy buy online, as even with postage costs, the item is still cheaper. Even the Jetbook Lite retails here via specialty estores for over AU$200. http://australia.ectaco.com/products...-jetbook-lite/ In essence, like most Aussies, I firmly believe we are being price gouged (ripped off).

10-04-2010, 02:48 AM	#4
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Just for interest, my own house has just signed a retail deal with Sony. They take a 40% retail commission (which is pretty much in line with the lower end of commissions/discounts demanded by high street brick-and-mortar bookshops -- far too high for an online store). BUT that commission applies only to ebook sales within the US. Sony claims a whopping 65% commission on sales made to 'foreign' buyers in the rest of the world. Neil

10-04-2010, 02:50 AM	#5
botrerta Member Posts: 14 Karma: 14 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Australia Device: Sony PRS-650	I didn't think the pricing was that bad. The US price doesn't include sales tax and if you were to consider exchange rate variations (pretty good today, but quite variable) and freight costs the price gap isn't that bad. I'm still more pissed off about ebook pricing in Australia (fortunately I've discovered the benefits of using a US based VPN service to sort that issue out!)

10-04-2010, 11:44 AM	#6
GhostDreamer Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 114548 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: PRS 650	Here in Canada, we also have a mark up - well in almost everything but nothing as grossly marked up as cars! Anyways I got my PRS650 for $249 + 13% HST so around $282 CAD. Considering our exchange rate with the US, it is cheaper to get it in the US. Even when our dollar was higher than the US dollar, prices on our items didn't drop - in fact a lot increased.

10-04-2010, 04:01 PM	#7
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	I paid 223.99 including tax CAD for a Sony 350 from the Sony store. Same prices elsewhere. Doesn't seem that much difference with current conversion rates which can change daily. 223.99 CAD = 227.05 AUD today so $1.95 difference