Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - For Sale

Buy and Sell Used Climbing Gear Please do not post retail SPAM.

Topic Date User

rip off merchant 6-Mar-2011 At 6:16:41 PM mattjr

Message

On 6/03/2011 Macciza wrote:
>Hi
>Quite frankly I find this thread a tad disgusting and even insultive to
>not only Rock Hardware, who sponsor this site, but other Australian climbing
>equipment manufacturers and retailers. Yes there are certain import duties
>that they pay that you are able to get around in order to save a few bucks.
>And yes they have a 'mark-up' that is needed in order to make a profit
>for their business, but diminishing sales due to punters buying off-shore
>will only force these higher. So much for 'Buy Australian' . . .
>
>I think the only bit of climbing gear I have bought from overseas was
>an 130l Ocun haulbag, but that purchase was actually organised through
>there Australian rep as a special purchase as it was not on there stocklist
>here so I guess it doesn't count.
>
>How many of you buy other products from overseas? I'm sure you could save
>yourself a packet buying an old Mustang from the States, or maybe a kit
>home from China or any number of other items you need. You could 'save'
>heaps more on those purchases.
>
>Frankly I find these piddling savings on climbing gear pathetic and counter-productive
>for the climbing industry in Australia. Support local jobs, don't send
>money overseas.
>
>I think this thread should be DELETED . . .

Harsh words Macciza..

Yes we are in a dilemma, as the AUD $ becomes stronger than ever and internet shopping is becoming the norm it is all too easy to find a better price from overseas.

and Yes, this is tough on Australian retailers who are desperately trying to adapt the way they do business in order to stay afloat

But remember that we are buying predominantly foreign products so the majority of our dollars are going overseas anyway. I also understand that alot of the distribution companies are foreign owned so even that portion is probably heading offshore.

I'm personally angered at a distributors attempts to stop me buying certain products overseas just so they can make a killing selling to me via retail in Australia at unreasonably inflated prices. I understand that the retailers are pretty much forced into buying a product at a set price and mark it up accordingly, so if they pay a premium for certain brands/products they have to charge us a premium in order to stay in business.

Local retailers are able to provide good support and advise on products that online retailers cannot BUT bottom dollar is bottom dollar, i'm not rolling in money and I feel I would be a fool to pay more money than I have to..

I believe things need to change.. retail price in Australia has to conform more closely to foreign retail pricing and this would involve less slice of the pie for distribution companies(not retailers).