The Extra Price Charged For Cars In Australia - Page 2

brismike · 03-09-2014, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedro

And it's not just cars guys.
I travel to USA on a semi- regular basis and for some years now have only bought my clothes there ... Levi jeans $39.95, pack of 4 cotton singlets $12.00, cotton shirts $20, dress leather shoes $70.00, suede jacket $50.00, etc. etc. ... all items top quality.
Last time over I bought a new Braun shaver for $82 that retails here for $325.
My wife stocks up on name brand cosmetics for around 1/4 the price asked here.
The quality of fresh food is outstanding and priced way below what we pay here.
And so it goes on.....

Agreed .. The wife and I just got back from the USA as well .. Laptops that cost $1000 and up here are $500 over there.

My wife like yours also stocks up on her favourite makeup (Maybeline) at $10 a bottle from Walmart that costs almost $40 here in Kmart. << WTF .. Why do we pay 4 times the price that they do for the exact same stuff?

I also stocked up on quality cargo pants from Old Navy Stores at $15 a pair. The same type here would set you back at least $40.

The USA is a great place to visit .. only drawback is they can't for the life of them make a decent cup of Tea lol. (We take our own tea bags haha)

Cheers Mike

Ben73 · 03-09-2014, 10:39 PM

When Australian cars are exported to other countries, they sell them for less than they do here don't they?

Windsor220 · 03-09-2014, 10:57 PM

We get paid more than people in other countries.

LoudPipes · 03-09-2014, 11:22 PM

Our minimum wage compared to other countries is high.

Our average wage when offset with living expenses including taxes is a different thing all together and brings us back into line.

The U.S. for example has more disposable income then we Aussies.

In other words if we earn 1½ times that of the next country but it costs us two times as much to live, who is winning? Not us.

Trump · 04-09-2014, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windsor220

We get paid more than people in other countries.

Ahhh so that's whats happening, we are being gouged because the importers/distributors are being noble and making it fair for those not as fortunate as us...

csv8 · 04-09-2014, 08:41 AM

Shifting Fiesta, Focus, Ecosport production to Thailand was supposed to make them cheaper...never happened....Prefer a Euro built model over Thai. Ecosport is Indian so, quality with Thai is comparable...

The FOMOCO · 04-09-2014, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windsor220

We get paid more than people in other countries.

Thats true we are paid more but not 2 or 3 times more than most other countries so why all the price hikes on Australians the list is endless it's much much more than just cars

Windsor220 · 04-09-2014, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The FOMOCO

Thats true we are paid more but not 2 or 3 times more than most other countries so why all the price hikes on Australians the list is endless it's much much more than just cars

But when you factor in our expensive rent and electricity etc on top of our high wages then for a business to cover that cost they have to charge more. Then there is the fact that America has a lot more people so they can afford to sell things cheaper and rely on more quantity.

stevethepom · 04-09-2014, 10:32 AM

Was just comparing prices in Australia v uk for an Audi A8 4.2 TD UK price around GBP 80,000 on the road in Australia same vehicle costs around GBP 141,000 a difference of around GBP 60.000 which is roughly AU$ 105,000 how the hell do they justify that sort of additional cost to the Australian consumer ?

Trump · 04-09-2014, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevethepom

Was just comparing prices in Australia v uk for an Audi A8 4.2 TD UK price around GBP 80,000 on the road in Australia same vehicle costs around GBP 141,000 a difference of around GBP 60.000 which is roughly AU$ 105,000 how the hell do they justify that sort of additional cost to the Australian consumer ?

They can't justify it, they do it because they can get away with it.

The FOMOCO · 04-09-2014, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windsor220

But when you factor in our expensive rent and electricity etc on top of our high wages then for a business to cover that cost they have to charge more. Then there is the fact that America has a lot more people so they can afford to sell things cheaper and rely on more quantity.

You have missed the point windsor as i said NOT 2 OR 3 TIMES MORE you sound like you might have been conditioned to belive that, we are being over charged every day

Al_Zhiemer · 04-09-2014, 12:29 PM

At the end of the day, the reason's are wide and varied as to why we pay extra for everything... There is no immediate remedy to rectify the problem as I see it, things will take along time to change and won't change until the government, banks, manufacturers, distributors and retailers finally work out that we are sick of being ripped off...

The internet has also brought it to the attention of the general public as well, being able to compare prices globally for the equivalent item, instant access to exchange rates and shipping cost, with the added bonus of easy cheap communication allowed us to see for ourselves the real cost's before all the taxes and revenue making... I like to be able to support the local market as much as possible but seriously, for most of us, our cars are our passion... We can't really afford to be spending the money on them that we do, so we have to look at how to do it affordably but seriously, just under $400/rim for a locally made and manufacured product compared with $550 for a set of 4 rims plus $400-$500 for shipping landed to my door... Of course we are going to shop on the open market, when I need 8 rims, that's a bloody big saving...

Tyres are a classic example... Buying larger 35" and bigger tyres is far cheaper to import from the US than buying locally even when comparing the same tyre. Want big tyres, shop US and import and I have done so on several occassion's. Just locally here in Australia the tyre market is rediculous... I'm currently living in WA and I never buy tyres locally, how is it that I can buy 4 tyres from the eastern states, have them freighted over here, pay for fitting and balancing and still come out ahead to make it worth while doing so??

The disappointing part is that a lot of local businesses are going to close their door's due to falling sales because people are prepared to wait 2 - 4 weeks to get what they want on a wider market with more options available if they are going to save money... If you want your business to survive in today's world, then you need to be selling your product to the wider market and compete or I see small business's closing door's...

The UK have stores now where it is basically only a warehouse, most sales are directed at the internet market with shipping available or you can go in store with the required paper work and ID and your order is sent up to you from the warehouse with as far as I know very little in the way of in store sales... And anything that is on the shelf is strictly there for display purposes only... I get the feeling that JB HI-FI is possibly making a move in this direction here as well to be able to compete, their listings of products for sale online is massive but when you go in to most stores its not available unless you order it in or it will state on the web page that it is by web order only...

Back on topic though... Its the cost of labor, government taxes, small population and small volume of sales when compared to the global market that I see as the main contributing factors as to why we pay to much. Plus then you add in the age old opinion of Australia being at the end of the Earth and costs a fortune to get it here story, which once it was... The Australian public are now being able to see for them selves that international shipping is no longer expensive when you can buy it , ship it to your door and still be saving money... I think its always been the case and we've always known that the overseas market was cheaper when we would happen to flick through an American magazine and seen the cheap prices of the equipment over there when compared to here but the hassle of private importation was difficult and expensive back then, plus poor exchange rate, and the expense of communications or language differences are all no longer an issue...

And I read somewhere that car manufacturers have to take into account the cost of warranty repairs in to the cost of sales in Australia for the volume of sales, that being the case, having to charge an extra $100,000 for an Audio or Merc here in Australia just shows that they really are a bucket of crap LOL

Just the way I see it

LoudPipes · 04-09-2014, 12:47 PM

I’ve tried to find a reference on the net to no avail.

A year or so ago I was reading a comment from a CEO of one of the major car manufacturers/importers, Nissan I think it was but don’t hold me too it, I could be wrong and it may have been another manufacturer.

When asked during an inquiry into the pricing of vehicles in Australia and why the prices here were so high his answer was short and sweet, “because Australians don’t complain.”

The die has been cast long ago and it would take a big community push to change it.

Al_Zhiemer · 04-09-2014, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoudPipes

I’ve tried to find a reference on the net to no avail.

A year or so ago I was reading a comment from a CEO of one of the major car manufacturers/importers, Nissan I think it was but don’t hold me too it, I could be wrong and it may have been another manufacturer.

When asked during an inquiry into the pricing of vehicles in Australia and why the prices here were so high his answer was short and sweet, “because Australians don’t complain.”

The die has been cast long ago and it would take a big community push to change it.

I remember the same thing being said...

Now we are complaining it will be interesting to see what happens...

Regards

Vesper Martini · 04-09-2014, 12:58 PM

Even as a Kiwi coming over here I'm just blown away by the publics acceptance of prices.
the Aussies all call me a tight ***
The fuel cycle during the week is one that I will never overcome.
Yes NZ has its share of pricey items but there is always a reason behind it.
Boats here are ridiculous prices

Trump · 04-09-2014, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoudPipes

I’ve tried to find a reference on the net to no avail.

A year or so ago I was reading a comment from a CEO of one of the major car manufacturers/importers, Nissan I think it was but don’t hold me too it, I could be wrong and it may have been another manufacturer.

When asked during an inquiry into the pricing of vehicles in Australia and why the prices here were so high his answer was short and sweet, “because Australians don’t complain.”

The die has been cast long ago and it would take a big community push to change it.

Social programming is the reason Australia has become complacent and subservient.

xtremerus · 04-09-2014, 01:23 PM

Luxury Car Tax and GST have a big impact on the final price of high end cars.

Get rid of them, and then everyone can whinge that the rich get all the tax breaks.

irish2 · 04-09-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Try floating into the oncoming lane a little to see if it's safe for overtaking!...A bunch of every day commuter LHD's would cause carnage.

I assume the governing body figure's it's ok for a Sunday cruiser hence the ability to register them.

Doesn't seem to be a problem in Europe or the US...

**Falcon Coupe** · 04-09-2014, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irish2

Doesn't seem to be a problem in Europe or the US...

You can't be serious...

Franco Cozzo · 04-09-2014, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

You can't be serious...

irish2 · 04-09-2014, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

You can't be serious...

The US allows Canadian cars across the border, and vice versa. In Europe you have UK delivered vehicles crossing onto the mainland. Death and carnage everywhere apparently...

LoudPipes · 04-09-2014, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irish2

The US allows Canadian cars across the border, and vice versa. Death and carnage everywhere apparently...

Strange?
We were in Canada earlier this year and everyone was in LHD cars?

irish2 · 04-09-2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoudPipes

Strange?
We were in Canada earlier this year and everyone was in LHD cars?

Sorry, I had assumed Canada were RHD as they have a massive JDM import market there (Which do not have to be converted to be registered). Point about Europe still stands however.

LoudPipes · 04-09-2014, 03:22 PM

There has been much discussion and a lot of studies to do with the UK cars driving in Europe.
Safety has been the driving issue.
The UK would change if the cost was not so prohibitive.

**GasoLane** · 04-09-2014, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

The fuel cycle during the week is one that I will never overcome.

The Fuel cycle only happens in Capital cities. Us folk in the Stix pay top dollar all the time

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoudPipes

There has been much discussion and a lot of studies to do with the UK cars driving in Europe. Safety has been the driving issue.
The UK would change if the cost was not so prohibitive.

They were going to trial it in Seppoland a while ago.

For the first week of the trial only cars would drive on the left.
Heavy vehicles and Motorbikes would change the following week !

(that was sarcasm btw)

LoudPipes · 04-09-2014, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

They were going to trial it in Seppoland a while ago.

For the first week of the trial only cars would drive on the left.
Heavy vehicles and Motorbikes would change the following week !

(that was sarcasm btw)

That trial wouldn’t cause any problems, only the odd collision here and there.
There is no traffic in the US until the Yanks get all their SUV’s on the road.

jpblue1000 · 04-09-2014, 05:33 PM

As mentioned before. We pay more because we will pay more. They charge more because we will pay it. That will begin to change with the online culture fro small postable items. But for cars houses and large stuff it will remain the same until we can flat pack ordered houses and import rules on cars are removed...Not likely.
As for things being cheaper when exchange is taken into account. read up on
purchasing power parity

an example
http://economics.about.com/cs/money/...asingpower.htm

JP

Windsor220 · 04-09-2014, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The FOMOCO

You have missed the point windsor as i said NOT 2 OR 3 TIMES MORE you sound like you might have been conditioned to belive that, we are being over charged every day

No doubt they are gouging us a bit but people expecting to pay the same amount as somewhere like America is just stupid. I'm talking in general not to you personally.

Romulus · 04-09-2014, 06:43 PM

What we need is a real estate market collapse to sort this mess out.

LoudPipes · 04-09-2014, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpblue1000

As mentioned before. We pay more because we will pay more. They charge more because we will pay it. That will begin to change with the online culture fro small postable items. But for cars houses and large stuff it will remain the same until we can flat pack ordered houses and import rules on cars are removed...Not likely.
As for things being cheaper when exchange is taken into account. read up on
purchasing power parity

an example
http://economics.about.com/cs/money/...asingpower.htm

JP

A perfect example is why do we pay more for a digital download whether it be music, movies or software?