Mac Prices OVER THE ROOF In Australia...

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
The hypothesis is that Australian Macintosh users are paying loads more than our US counterparts. Of course the prices would be higher internationally due to the "Australianisation" of products, (if this indeed exists), and shipping to our country. What blows me away is the huge gaps in prices. I worked these out at the current exchange rate at the time, and the differences, (which are in AUD), are quite alarming.



Shipping overseas and "Australianisation" does not warrant these prices. These prices haven't dropped since the Australian dollar has been climbing steadily since mid-late last year.



Here's the working:



Code:


1.00 USD = 1.29319 AUD



iPod:

US 15 GB = USD$299.00 and Aust 15 GB = A$449.00

299 * 1.29319 = $386.66

386.66 * 1.1 = A$425.33 (inc. GST)

Difference = A$23.70



US 20 GB = USD$399.00 and Aust 20 GB = A$598.00

399 * 1.29319 = $515.98

515.98 * 1.1 = A$567.58 (inc. GST)

Difference = A$30.42



US 40 GB = USD$499.00 and Aust 40 GB = A$799.00

499 * 1.29319 = $645.30

645.30 * 1.1 = A$709.833 (inc. GST)

Difference = A$89.17





iMac:

US 15" Model = USD$1299.00 and Aust 15" Model = A$2299.00

1299 * 1.29319 = $1679.85

1679.85 * 1.1 = A$1847.84 (inc. GST)

Difference = A$451.16



US 17" Model = USD$1799.00 and Aust 17" Model = A$3199.00

1799.00 * 1.29319 = $2326.45

2326.45 * 1.1 = A$2559.09 (inc. GST)

Difference = A$639.91



US 20" Model = USD$2199.00 and Aust 20" Model = A$3898.00

2199.00 * 1.29319 = $2843.72

2843.72 * 1.1 = A$3128.10 (inc. GST)

Difference = A$769.90





eMac:

US Combo Drive = $799.00 and Aust Combo Drive = A$1349.00

799 * 1.29319 = $1033.26

1033.26 * 1.1 = A$1136.58

Difference = A$212.42



US SuperDrive = $1099.00 and Aust SuperDrive = $1899.00

1099 * 1.29319 = $1421.22

1421.22 * 1.1 = A$1563.33

Difference = A$335.66





iBook:

US 800 MHz 12" TFT = $1099.00 and Aust 800 MHz 12" TFT = $1899.00

1099 * 1.29319 = $1421.22

1421.22 * 1.1 = A$1563.33

Difference = A$335.66



US 933 MHz 14" TFT = $1299.00 and Aust 933 MHz 14" TFT = $2299.00

1299 * 1.29319 = $1679.85

1679.85 * 1.1 = A$1847.84 (inc. GST)

Difference = A$451.16



US 1.0 GHz 14" TFT = $1499.00 and Aust 1.0 GHz 14" TFT = $2599.00

1499 * 1.29319 = 1938.49

1938.49 * 1.1 = A$2132.34 (inc. GST)

Difference = A$466.66





PowerBook G4:

US 1 GHz 12" Combo = $1599.00 and Aust 1 GHz 12" Combo = $2999.00

1599 * 1.29319 = $2067.81

2067.81 * 1.1 = A$2274.59

Difference = A$724.41



US 1 GHz 12" SuperDrive = $1799.00 and Aust 1 GHz 12" SuperDrive = $3399.00

1799 * 1.29319 = $2326.45

2326.45 * 1.1 = A$2559.09

Difference = A$839.91



US 1 GHz 15" Combo = $1999.00 and Aust 1 GHz 15" Combo = $3699.00

1999 * 1.29319 = $2585.09

2585.09 * 1.1 = A$2843.60

Difference = A$855.40



US 1.25 GHz 15" SuperDrive = $2599.00 and Aust 1.25 GHz 15" SuperDrive = $4799.00

2599 * 1.29319 = $3361.00

3361 * 1.1 = A$3697.10

Difference = A$1101.90



US 17" SuperDrive = $2999.00 and Aust 17" SuperDrive = $5499.00

2999 * 1.29319 = $3878.28

3878.28 * 1.1 = A$4266.10

Difference = A$1232.90





Power Mac G5:

US 1.6 GHz = $1799.00 and Aust 1.6 GHz = $3199.00

1799 * 1.29319 = $2326.45

2326.45 * 1.1 = A$2559.09

Difference = A$639.91



US DP 1.8 GHz = $2499.00 and Aust DP 1.8 GHz = $4399.00

2499 * 1.29319 = $3231.68

3231.68 * 1.1 = A$3554.85

Difference = A$844.15



US DP 2.0 GHz = $2999.00 and Aust DP 2.0 GHz = $5299.00

2999 * 1.29319 = $3878.28

3878.28 * 1.1 = A$4266.10

Difference = A$1032.90





Apple Displays:

US 17" Studio = $699.00 and Aust 17" Studio = $1299.00

699 * 1.29319 = $903.94

903.94 * 1.1 = A$994.33

Difference = A$304.67



US 20" Cinema = $1299.00 and Aust 20" Cinema = $2399.00

1299 * 1.29319 = $1679.85

1679.85 * 1.1 = A$1847.84

Difference = A$551.16



US 23" Cinema = $1999.00 and Aust 23" Cinema = $3499.00

1999 * 1.29319 = $2585.09

2585.09 * 1.1 = A$2843.60

Difference = A$655.40









So, isn't that just ridiculous? Surely a A$1032.90 difference isn't necessary on a 2.0 GHz G5...



Thoughts? Comments? m.
«1

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 22
    In Singapore (where the prices are cheaper compared with rest of Asia), the 2GHZ G5 sells for the equivalent of US $ 3378. A difference of about 378$ +.



    In India, the 2GHZ G5 sells for the equivalent of US $5715. A difference of 2715$.



    Like I said many times before, international marketing in Apple is clueless. The machines are assembled in Taiwan in Asia...
  • Reply 2 of 22
    telomartelomar Posts: 1,804member
    Apple Australia sets its prices when the models are first released based on the currency market at the time due to the orders they make. Recently the A$ has gone up quite substantially so all you're seeing is the oldest products, which haven't had their prices refreshed for new stock, are out of whack. Notice the iPods, which have just been refreshed are quite close to what you'd expect. Just the way it works.
  • Reply 3 of 22
    too bad the prices suck... australia is such a cool place! (i'm not from there)
  • Reply 4 of 22
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Merovingian

    snip



    You have too much time on your hands.



    Buy from the States, it is much cheaper!
  • Reply 5 of 22
    bartobarto Posts: 2,246member
    Computer prices by their nature lag behind currency prices. The only way around this would be to change Apple Australia's price list on a daily basis, which would be as confusing as hell to customers.



    Back when the $A was falling, Macs in Australia were underpriced.



    Deal with it, it happens with cars, consumer electronics and whitegoods too.



    Barto
  • Reply 6 of 22
    lainlain Posts: 140member
    Aparently the G5 Dual 1.8, when it was released here was cheaper or the same price as the single... though it is still overpriced.



    My personal theory is that Apple does not really care about their price competitiveness, who do they have to compete with? Not the PC, they are already perceived to be much more expensive than PCs so a few more hundred bucks here and there will not make much difference (but its better in their pocket than ours of course) and it seems Mac owners would rather use calculators and crayons than a PC, so its not like they are going to dump their beloved Macs cos of the price... see where love got ya?
  • Reply 7 of 22
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Barto

    Computer prices by their nature lag behind currency prices. The only way around this would be to change Apple Australia's price list on a daily basis, which would be as confusing as hell to customers.



    Back when the $A was falling, Macs in Australia were underpriced.



    Deal with it, it happens with cars, consumer electronics and whitegoods too.



    Barto




    That would be a valid argument in cases where inventory was stocked for a while at old rates. With the tariff cuts and improvement in conversion rates, other vendors like IBM, COMPAQ, etc. are able to bring the benefit to the customer within a reasonable period of a month or so. The prices posted on the Apple website are static for several months at least. It doesn't change if the local currency rates fluctuate. I haven't seen any major currency crash against the US $ in the last year. It has been to the contrary.



    It is out of desire for the product that individuals like me go ahead with a purchase. I don't see any organization (educational institutions included) making a choice in favour of Apple's products. The same holds true for normal users looking for a computer purchase.



    Product distribution and retail sales are one area where Apple can take hints from Dell or any other PC manufacturer.
  • Reply 8 of 22
    idunnoidunno Posts: 645member
    I have been in the market for a g5 for some time now... the only thing holding me back? The price. I'm in Sydney, and I just can't afford to spend 5g's for a new g5 (that made me smile)



    But if your theory is true, and prices are set when the product is released, we are heading into an interesting time. Our dollar is currently at .80centsUS, and the imminent (re: rumoured) release of the g5 revisions, could see some sensible pricing from Apple Australia.



    ...but I doubt it. The entire time that I have been buying Apple products I have been getting ripped of.



    With a price diff of $1032, I could afford to fly to the states to buy a g5 there and come home with it.... hmmm, I may actually do that.



    Les.
  • Reply 9 of 22
    If you do that make sure you investigate if there is any duty to pay.



    Typically when I buy I either get someone I know to ship it to me or I have friends coming into the country.



    Ideal people for "transporting" are pilots!!
  • Reply 10 of 22
    telomartelomar Posts: 1,804member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by talksense101

    I haven't seen any major currency crash against the US $ in the last year. It has been to the contrary.



    You clearly haven't been watching the currency markets over the past few months then since the A$ have moved up massively compared to the US$. By massively I mean 65c to 80c.
  • Reply 11 of 22
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Barto

    Computer prices by their nature lag behind currency prices. The only way around this would be to change Apple Australia's price list on a daily basis, which would be as confusing as hell to customers.



    Back when the $A was falling, Macs in Australia were underpriced.



    Deal with it, it happens with cars, consumer electronics and whitegoods too.



    Barto




    Understood completely. But the point is, although it is unnecessary to alter the prices everyday, a price change once every few moths, 3 say, to reflect the dollar, seems fair.



    I remember the AUD was around 48 US ¢ during the months after September 11, and now it is trying to hit 80 US ¢. I'm not saying there hasn't been price cuts, or alterations during this period, but prices must change, with a dollar that can fluctuate this much.



    Edit: I wonder if the free trade agreement between Australia and the US just signed will make computers cheaper here. Just a thought. m.
  • Reply 12 of 22
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Telomar

    You clearly haven't been watching the currency markets over the past few months then since the A$ have moved up massively compared to the US$. By massively I mean 65c to 80c.



    Isn't that what he said? No currency has crashed in relation to the US? To me this means that the US is weakening against other currencies.....
  • Reply 13 of 22
    What's new, it seems like many imported products are more expensive there, cars, computers. And forbid you may need a loan for a house because then you'll really pay...



    Are there import duties or taxes already added to the price of the Macs?
  • Reply 14 of 22
    telomartelomar Posts: 1,804member
    Apple refreshes prices whenever they update a product. Normally it wouldn't be a major issue except in the case where an item is rarely updated *cough* displays *cough* Apple probably could do with a regular price fix but it really just depends on the contracts they have in place.



    Quote:

    Originally posted by jwri004

    Isn't that what he said? No currency has crashed in relation to the US? To me this means that the US is weakening against other currencies.....



    Just misread what he said slightly. Whoops
  • Reply 15 of 22
    I will be really really really disappointed if with the new models, (providing they stay the same US list price as current), we do not see a 8-10% real drop in retail prices here in Australia due to our much better xchange rate.
  • Reply 16 of 22
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Telomar



    Just misread what he said slightly. Whoops




    Forgiven
  • Reply 17 of 22
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Telomar

    Apple refreshes prices whenever they update a product. Normally it wouldn't be a major issue except in the case where an item is rarely updated *cough* displays *cough* Apple probably could do with a regular price fix but it really just depends on the contracts they have in place.



    Just misread what he said slightly. Whoops




    Didn't they just update the XServe?



    Lets compare some (XServe G5) prices to test your theory



    EU price in usd *WITHOUT* sales tax

    1xG5 3777.24

    2xG5 5036.74



    US price in usd without sales tax

    1xG5 2999,00

    2xG5 3999,00



    The XServe G5 is 26% more expensive in the EU!



    NOTE: The EU does not charge import duties on computers!
  • Reply 18 of 22
    costiquecostique Posts: 1,084member
    Macs in Russia cost something like those in Australia, the same order of magnitude. Merovingian, I do feel your pain.



    My personal theory is import taxes. For example, some 95% of PC-compatibles sold in Russia are assembled there. Import taxes applied to computer parts and components are negligible compared to those applied to 'ready' computers. As a result, a PC in Russia is a lot cheaper than in US because of lower labour costs, while Macs are a lot more expensive because of obscene import taxes.



    Of course, this does not help Apple's international sales. However, even if Mr. Jobs cares about the fact, he can't do anything about it.



    I am not sure whether the same applies to Australia, but that's also possible. Just my 2 cents.
  • Reply 19 of 22
    Quote:

    Originally posted by costique

    Macs in Russia cost something like those in Australia, the same order of magnitude. Merovingian, I do feel your pain.



    The thing is, is that I could buy a DP 2 GHz G5 in the US, with a 17" Apple Display, and for approximately the same money converted into AUD, I could only buy the G5, not the display as well. It is painfull.



    Quote:

    Originally posted by costique

    My personal theory is import taxes. For example, some 95% of PC-compatibles sold in Russia are assembled there. Import taxes applied to computer parts and components are negligible compared to those applied to 'ready' computers. As a result, a PC in Russia is a lot cheaper than in US because of lower labour costs, while Macs are a lot more expensive because of obscene import taxes.



    Of course, this does not help Apple's international sales. However, even if Mr. Jobs cares about the fact, he can't do anything about it.



    I am not sure whether the same applies to Australia, but that's also possible. Just my 2 cents.




    Are tarrifs the same things as import taxes, (I'm not sure, I'm not an economist or whatever)?



    If so, the free trade agreement between the US and Australia signed 2 weeks ago might abolish that, making computers among many other imported items cheaper, (just not sugar ). m.
  • Reply 20 of 22
    lainlain Posts: 140member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Merovingian

    If so, the free trade agreement between the US and Australia signed 2 weeks ago might abolish that, making computers among many other imported items cheaper, (just not sugar ). m.



    Me wonders who does Apple Australia pay for the computers?
Sign In or Register to comment.