All of a sudden it's going to make Ozgameshop double their prices and be on par with Harvey Norman, EB, game etc...? :lol:
Australian retailers have been ripping off the consumer for far too long.
Not even close.
But it will go a long to bringing the 2 prices closer together, and we will start to see people going out to a shop and buying there.
There are those that are now fully converted and would never go to a store again, I understand that. But I work in an industry where seeing, and touching the product is a big selling point.
If I am $30 more expensive on a $600 item, but you can see it, have ease of access to warranty claims and the like, people would be inclined to pay the minor difference for these perks.
If I am $200 more expensive, I dont stand a chance in hell of making regular, in-store sales.
GST and duty are not the only reason for a massive difference in the price of products bought locally and those bought overseas, but it is a lot of cost to add to the consumer. Add shipping fees, wages, electricity, phone lines, internet sites etc and you can clearly see why in-store prices are inflated over online retailers.
Add to that, most online retailers dont receive their goods through the proper channels, so they also dont have to pay an Australian Distributor or GST and bam. No shops for people to go and look at their purchases before buying.
Keep in mind, I am in a niche market (like gaming) and we are one of the biggest in said market. We have an online store that in most days does better than the shop 3:1, but my competitors are dropping like flies.
Not good for the industry, or Australian retail.
And dont go on about customer service.... its 4:10 on Xmas eve, and my staff are all still here, as they will be tomorrow, and every other day of the year.
