Why is Australia so much more expensive?

[calsan]

Maybe someone can tell me why we Aussies appear to be paying too much for our stuff.

On ShaShinKi Malaysia shop website Pentax AF-540 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash is 1295RM which is AU$441.60.

Best price I can find in Australia is Camera Warehouse in Sydney AU$749.00.

I checked prices on Yodobashi Japan and it's ￥44,600, which is AU$431.00

ie: Malaysia and Japan both about 40% discount on best Australian prices.

I imagine that the spare $318 should cover shipping costs to Perth.... in it's OWN CONTAINER!!

[KhoKing]

Could it be due to Import Tax?

[jonmay]

Its because distributors and retailers think that we are dumb enough to pay the prices.  I recently bought a 540 from Cameta on ebay.  All up (with express shipping) it cost about AU$500.  As on-line retailers become more popular these Aussie retailers will go out of business.

[calsan]

Sales tax: Hmmmn.  Maybe, but there must be more than that in the mark up.  I reckon it may be worth my wait to order online from Asia.
Unfortunately, as other people in Australia realize this, our distributors here may have a problem - but only if the price reflects their actual shipping and tax costs.  Otherwise they could just drop the price a few hundred dollars.

Other theory I have is Australia has a high cost of living, rents and so on, for dealers to cover, but then so does Japan and Malaysia.

I think jonmay must be thinking what I'm thinking.

[AnatoliSirota]

Calsan, I also thought about it many times. Just last week I ordered Tamron 90mm Micro from KhoKing and it cost me around AUS$520 including shipping. Kennady PTy LTD wanted AUS$850 for the same glass, but our local salesperson in Oakliegh even beat that record and he gave me a quote of AUS$1,000. We need to cross our fingers that our nice government still gives us a chance to buy a lot of products from overseas. 99% businesses here in Australia will blow up tomorrow if they can't import their goods from China, Hong Kong etc. We fully deserve Mr. Horard & C. Who voted for them 7 years ago when they promised to introduce 10% GST tax on the top of all other taxes ?! I came in Australia from the Ukraine 15 years ago. I know that if any party and its leader propose to introduce any new tax, so those people wouldn't collect 1% of voters. But who voted for that mafia 3 times for new and new taxes on your own head ?! So comrade Calsan, no complains. But if you vote for Labor, the result would be the same, because we have to choose between two evils.
Anatoli 

[leto78]

Why do you complain when you have that wonderful tax import exemption for items lower than AUS$1000?

In some areas like informatics it is not so different buying in local shops and buying online. The thing is that most shops have a very small profit margin since they charge a maximum of 15% on the price.
This is not true in other areas like photography where people are used to charging 30% or more. Of course they still work with inventories and with negative cash flows.

[calsan]

Well - I have to admit, I don't know much about running a business.
I just want to enjoy my hobby without going broke, comrades!
 

[KhoKing]

Not sure if the high price is due to high profit of Distributor (selling at high price to shops) or high profit of Shops (buy cheap from distributor for sell at high price to customers). I think the formal is more likely as shops normally compete fiercely one and another to get sales...and the winners are often end users and distributors.

[AnatoliSirota]

I import a lot of products from overseas, mainly from China where I have my business agent. For example, 3 volt DC motor is of of the items I need. It costs me around AUS$0.15 each, including delivery and custom clearance. But you can find exactly the same motor at Dick Smith electronics for AUS$3.20 !? Can you count their profit for that trifile ?!
Yes, we pay big bucks for many products here in Australia. But we have much higher salaries then in Asia. I bet you Calsan pocket something between AUS$500 -1,000 a week. Meanwhile an average salary in China just US$200 a month. So, buy lenses in Asia and help our good friends to run their businesses !

[calsan]

Well, I guess that's my answer then.

[natasredrum]

Can't you get someone here to buy it for you and ship it to you?

[Spot Focus]

Could it be due to Import Tax?

you would think so but there is no import tax on camera gear  Oo) there is 10% GST though

[calsan]

My to-be-brother-in-law (if that title makes sense) lives in Yokohama!
So may get him to be my import/export agent.
Hopefully.

[PeteD]

Calsan, I also thought about it many times. Just last week I ordered Tamron 90mm Micro from KhoKing and it cost me around AUS$520 including shipping. Kennady PTy LTD wanted AUS$850 for the same glass, but our local salesperson in Oakliegh even beat that record and he gave me a quote of AUS$1,000. We need to cross our fingers that our nice government still gives us a chance to buy a lot of products from overseas. 99% businesses here in Australia will blow up tomorrow if they can't import their goods from China, Hong Kong etc. We fully deserve Mr. Horard & C. Who voted for them 7 years ago when they promised to introduce 10% GST tax on the top of all other taxes ?! I came in Australia from the Ukraine 15 years ago. I know that if any party and its leader propose to introduce any new tax, so those people wouldn't collect 1% of voters. But who voted for that mafia 3 times for new and new taxes on your own head ?! So comrade Calsan, no complains. But if you vote for Labor, the result would be the same, because we have to choose between two evils.
Anatoli 

I have a quote in my pocket for a Tamron 90mm for $630, good for 30 days. Walked into my local shop and said whats your best price for a Tamron 90mm for a Pentax, looked it up and said $630 and wrote it on a quote form? At that price it is very hard to go past.
 

[AnatoliSirota]

I have a quote in my pocket for a Tamron 90mm for $630, good for 30 days. Walked into my local shop and said whats your best price for a Tamron 90mm for a Pentax, looked it up and said $630 and wrote it on a quote form? At that price it is very hard to go past.
 
Pete, I propose you to safe at least $100+ !? Do not pay $630 and wait for 30 days ! Do you want to have your Tamron 90mm Macro in 3-4 days and pay around AUS$520 ? Just buy here from KhoKing as I did last week. I received this lens directly from Japan in a very secure box. A courier delivered the parcel directly to my door and I am happy.
My big thanks to KhoKing for good price and good webside !

Anatoli