Apple Price gouging : $1000AUD more for a macbook pro.

aneks · Apr 7, 2007

It is a well known fact that many manufacturers like to make a little extra cash on the side by galling customers stupid enough to live outside of the US. Anyone with an internet connection can see the price difference.

but it really hit home to me how bad this is now I am in the US on business. was just in the apple store and saw that 2.36ghz are ($3049AUD ) $2499 US here in the US and are $3272 US in oz ($3999AUD)

1000 bucks price difference. Want to buy an octoCore Mac Pro a whopping $1600 cheaper Apple Australia are doing some nifty price shifting ! Nice one Steve !

johnee · Apr 7, 2007

I couldn't think of a good reason for that much of a price increase. I assume you could buy from the US online store, couldn't you? Or is that not possible due to the shipping restrictions? I seriously doubt shipping costs would be $1000 increase!

Has there been a drastic change in exchange rate over the last year? That's the only other factor which could justify ANY price difference.

aneks · Apr 7, 2007

not only will apple not let you buy from the store without a us address and us credit card. they wont even let me use my apple account to by content from the us itunes store !

in terms of exchange rate, it has been pretty solid for the past few months-years. last time I was here, 2 years ago, the laptops whee 1100 dollars cheaper. I wish I needed hardware as I would buy up big.

WildCowboy · Apr 7, 2007

The prices in Australia include the 10% GST, while they don't include tax in the US. So that makes the price difference closer to $600AUD. Still higher, but not quite as bad.

DA-Steve · Apr 7, 2007

aneks said:
It is a well known fact that many manufacturers like to make a little extra cash on the side by galling customers stupid enough to live outside of the US. Anyone with an internet connection can see the price difference.

but it really hit home to me how bad this is now I am in the US on business. was just in the apple store and saw that 2.36ghz are ($3049AUD ) $2499 US here in the US and are $3272 US in oz ($3999AUD)

1000 bucks price difference. Apple Australia are doing some nifty price shifting ! Nice one Steve !

I can almost understand the price differences on hardware.. but what kills me is CS3... check out the price differences AU and USD its horrible!!

Its not fair to put it on Apple.. take a look at car prices while your there.. Z33's go for like half what they do here.. go up into the exotics and you will pay alot less than half what you would pay for the same car here.. our lux car tax is rediculous!!

NZ has got it even worse than us.. 3,422 USD for a 15" 2.33 MBP

aneks · Apr 7, 2007

I know. It madness. What irks me more is that we pay more for locally produced items as well.

I am buying software here. thinking about getting an iPod or two as well.

DA-Steve · Apr 7, 2007

aneks said:
I know. It madness. What irks me more is that we pay more for locally produced items as well.

I am buying software here. thinking about getting an iPod or two as well.

btw... 2.36?

4np · Apr 7, 2007

WildCowboy said:
The prices in Australia include the 10% GST, while they don't include tax in the US. So that makes the price difference closer to $600AUD. Still higher, but not quite as bad.

And then you're both even better off than us; the highest tax rate is 8% in the US, Australia is 10% and over here (The Netherlands) it's 19%.

The 15" 2.33Ghz MacBook Pro starts here at € 2489,- (= $ 3330.03 USD, $ 4064.16 AUD ).

Pressure · Apr 7, 2007

MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.16Ghz, 15.699DKR -> €2106 -> US$2817 -> AUS$3451
MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.33Ghz, 19.599DKR -> €2630 -> US$3516 -> AUS$4309

I am sure Denmark would gladly switch for your prices

EvryDayImShufln · Apr 7, 2007

You can buy one off ebay and that would make prices right no?

I'm sure there are lots of trustworthy sellers on ebay selling MBPs. Hell I could even get you one at student discount or ACD discount and sell it to you over ebay lol.

Scarlet Fever · Apr 7, 2007

DA-Steve said:
btw... 2.36?

thats why it cost $600 more

Abstract · Apr 7, 2007

WildCowboy said:
So that makes the price difference closer to $600AUD. Still higher, but not quite as bad.

Only an American would say that.

Actually, only someone who doesn't live in a country being screwed over would say that.

WildCowboy · Apr 7, 2007

Abstract said:
Only an American would say that.

Actually, only someone who doesn't live in a country being screwed over would say that.

Would say what?

I was simply pointing out that the differential isn't quite as high as it first appears. Yes, it's still a significant difference. That's the only point I was making.

Gymnut · Apr 7, 2007

2.36GHz? Santa Rosa out already?

IJ Reilly · Apr 8, 2007

Does Australia levy an import duty?

superted666 · Apr 8, 2007

Ha try it in the uk,

$2799 for the top end config with no config changes
in the uk its £1899 which is closer to $3800

the airport extreme as another example is about 30% cheaper.

Its just big companies making money where they can, should be moderated by EU in my opinion

zap2 · Apr 8, 2007

Abstract said:
Only an American would say that.

Are you saying only an American would look at the facts of situation?

Thanks, but look at Mr. Bush

xJulianx · Apr 8, 2007

aneks said:
It is a well known fact that many manufacturers like to make a little extra cash on the side by galling customers stupid enough to live outside of the US. Anyone with an internet connection can see the price difference.

How very dare you!

deadpixels · Apr 8, 2007

4np said:
And then you're both even better off than us; the highest tax rate is 8% in the US, Australia is 10% and over here (The Netherlands) it's 19%.

The 15" 2.33Ghz MacBook Pro starts here at 2489,- (= $ 3330.03 USD, $ 4064.16 AUD ).

it's 26% here in norway, i beat u all

15" 2.33 is 22990 nok wich is around 2817 today

you can calculate in USD and AUD if you wanna get scared

Lord Blackadder · Apr 8, 2007

deadpixels said:
15" 2.33 is 22990 nok wich is around 2817 today you can calculate in USD and AUD if you wanna get scared

CRAP. That's crazy money...

It's literally cheaper to fly to NYC, pick one up at the Apple Store in Manhattan and fly home for that price!

weckart · Apr 8, 2007

Lord Blackadder said:
CRAP. That's crazy money...

It's literally cheaper to fly to NYC, pick one up at the Apple Store in Manhattan and fly home for that price!

Not when you have to pay import duty on the purchase price and then 26% VAT on the purchase price + import duty it isn't . You will have to sell a kidney to pay for that little venture.

Bring back the abacus I say.

Lord Blackadder · Apr 8, 2007

weckart said:
Not when you have to pay import duty on the purchase price and then 26% VAT on the purchase price + import duty it isn't . You will have to sell a kidney to pay for that little venture.

True, I was envisioning an illicit transfer, but I wouldn't risk it myself.

Erasmus · Apr 8, 2007

Grrr...

How nice it would be to get a 2.33 15" MBP for $2500... or even $3000...

Instead of $4000...

GrrrRRR...

Oh well. At least the Student discount brings it down to $3500, and the ADC 1 time student discount brings it down to $3200...

*cries*

(All prices in AU$ of course)

JNB · Apr 8, 2007

weckart said:
Not when you have to pay import duty on the purchase price and then 26% VAT on the purchase price + import duty it isn't . You will have to sell a kidney to pay for that little venture.

Strictly as an acedemic thought experiment, mind you, but if you travel internationally, and have the laptop in your usual carry-on bag - I mean, it's the one you left the country with, right, what mechanism is there to validate that?

In my experience, I've never known the customs folks outside of the US to be quite as paranoid and anal as our own.

iW00t · Apr 8, 2007

Erasmus said:
Oh well. At least the Student discount brings it down to $3500, and the ADC 1 time student discount brings it down to $3200...

*cries*

(All prices in AU$ of course)

I can buy it from Amazon.com for less at US$2499, and all that while pissing on the "once a lifetime hardware discount". US$100+ will get it shipped to you anywhere in the world, easily.

Americans pay less income tax, have higher incomes, and pay less for their gadgets. Talk about ******** all round...

Apple Price gouging : $1000AUD more for a macbook pro.

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