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bodazoka wrote:
However.. it does not mean there are no factors that increase the price of buying goods here.

And yet, as I posted above in the tabletop market it seems mostly limited to GW where the price is inflated, with Mantic (another English company) retailing items at parity here in Aus, Fantasy Flight games roughly at parity, privateer press charging $US35 in the US and $AU35 ($US32.5) RRP in Aus for a warjack I just checked for another example. Why can every other tabletop company manage rough parity with pricing overseas whilst GW charges a 40% premium?

 Soteks Prophet wrote:
How much is a BigMac in Oz vs US vs UK. Use that instead

not that we want this as an analogy but it was about $17.50 for a qtr pounder MED meal in paris. scary gak

 Yonan wrote:

bodazoka wrote:
However.. it does not mean there are no factors that increase the price of buying goods here.

And yet, as I posted above in the tabletop market it seems mostly limited to GW where the price is inflated, with Mantic (another English company) retailing items at parity here in Aus, Fantasy Flight games roughly at parity, privateer press charging $US35 in the US and $AU35 ($US32.5) RRP in Aus for a warjack I just checked for another example. Why can every other tabletop company manage rough parity with pricing overseas whilst GW charges a 40% premium?

I don't want to be seen to justify every thing GW price related.

But I can also site examples of comparative pricing for some GW models, I do not want to spend all day figuring out exactly what the average mark up on models is though. However I do see your point that the models from competitors are cheaper, all though I would guess there are different reasons for that other than the company being altruistic.

slap it on your ipod/phone and call it digital. QUESTIONS?

 the shrouded lord wrote:
slap it on your ipod/phone and call it digital. QUESTIONS?

Not questions, but the fact that it's so expensive people are quite happy to admit to pirating it on a board that doesn't like that sort of talk kind of shows the problem with Australian pricing in the first place.

When the other game I play offers its rules completely, legally free and I still choose to spend $60 on the rulebook, yet I won't spend $140au on a different games rulebook is kind of indicative of the perceived value I get out of each.

File a complaint with the relevant ombudsman. I did this with adobe prior to their investigation.

CS6 master collection, bought online as digital and downloaded from a US server was several thousand dollars more than customers in the US, mexico or canada. Enough people do it companies get watched.

 Trapthem wrote:
File a complaint with the relevant ombudsman. I did this with adobe prior to their investigation.

CS6 master collection, bought online as digital and downloaded from a US server was several thousand dollars more than customers in the US, mexico or canada. Enough people do it companies get watched.

Unfortunately the result of the commision into prices here resulted in the following reply from Microsoft and Adobe - feth you, geo blocking prices isn't illegal, come back when it is.

The response from GW will be much the same, and there's nothing that can be done about it unless, as they said, geo blocking prices in Australia became illegal.

Yeah it's not about any immediate result but accumulating a track record against them. Beats bending over and taking it via emails being ignored

 -Loki- wrote:

 Trapthem wrote:
File a complaint with the relevant ombudsman. I did this with adobe prior to their investigation.

CS6 master collection, bought online as digital and downloaded from a US server was several thousand dollars more than customers in the US, mexico or canada. Enough people do it companies get watched.

Unfortunately the result of the commision into prices here resulted in the following reply from Microsoft and Adobe - feth you, geo blocking prices isn't illegal, come back when it is.

The response from GW will be much the same, and there's nothing that can be done about it unless, as they said, geo blocking prices in Australia became illegal.

Which seems highly unlikely before the next election at least.

 Trapthem wrote:
Yeah it's not about any immediate result but accumulating a track record against them. Beats bending over and taking it via emails being ignored

Which still acheives nothing because they're based in the UK. This was the result of a large quantity of complaints to Choice - we can't really do much since they're not an Australian company.

Edited for rudeness - MT11

Slow claps. Have we had a bad day?

Given that Privateer Press is making a profit by selling things in Australia at the same price as overseas rather than a +30% or more markup, I don't see how the "overhead, tariffs, taxes or any other costs of doing business in your country" argument is at all valid.

Belly wrote:
I think the term 'Australia Tax' says it all to me, and most of my opinion on this;

Yes, I will pay a lil bit more to live in Australia.


That said, there are 'alternatives' to paying full retail. The internet provides fantastic solutions to documents and miniatures, that can't be discussed here. GW is jacking their prices to compensate for people taking advantage of this. People are taking advantage of this because GW is jacking up their prices. It's a vicious circle that hurts the hobby.

Problem is, it's not GW. Here in Canada we finally get a Target. Guess what. We are not getting US Target prices, but Canadian Target prices.

It's just corporate greed. Everyone is doing it. Just like any good Canadian all we do is bend over and bitch/moan/complain and do nothing about it. That is another reason why they get away with it. We are too lazy to do anything about it.

Davor wrote:
It's just corporate greed. Everyone is doing it. Just like any good Canadian all we do is bend over and bitch/moan/complain and do nothing about it. That is another reason why they get away with it. We are too lazy to do anything about it.

Yep. I try to educate people on the topic for their own good - but in the meantime I'll happily import extra from overseas with my orders and undercut local prices to subsidise my hobby.

 PrinceRaven wrote:
Given that Privateer Press is making a profit by selling things in Australia at the same price as overseas rather than a +30% or more markup, I don't see how the "overhead, tariffs, taxes or any other costs of doing business in your country" argument is at all valid.

The only thing they can really stick to is not having their own stores, but supporting and allowing FLGS to stock and sell all their product. Truly it's a much better idea to try run your own stores to try to drive away those pesky FLGS by moving them in up close to successful ones. :^)

While I agree that the pricing isn't great, like most people have also stated its hardly going to change. There was a GW store in central Auckland until it recently shutdown, now I think there's only one down south. It had always seemed really empty and I never actually brought anything from it, but I did buy the majority of my stuff from other FLGSs we have like vagabonds, redzeed etc.
This is hardly an informed opinion, but its always felt that the majority of the turnover in these stores are from card games. I can reliably walk in there any time during the week and there will be someone playing magic or vanguard etc. I used to do these as well, and most times I went in I would pick up boosters or singles, but in doing wargaming I very rarely, if ever, pick up something on gaming nights and from what I've seen not many others do too.
Everyone who does play miniature games though are typically adult and so can afford the prices GW are setting. I've talked to them about it and while they feel its high, dont really care as it is their hobby. Whereas others may skii, or do golf, they have few qualms about paying 150 odd dollars for a rulebook. Thats probably why the 10 copies my main store ordered sold out in preorders in a couple of days. Now say for example if GW halved their profits and the book retailed for $100 would my store have ordered and sold 20? I highly doubt it.
It does seem that people online are more inclined to kick up a fuss.

 rahxephon wrote:
While I agree that the pricing isn't great, like most people have also stated its hardly going to change. There was a GW store in central Auckland until it recently shutdown, now I think there's only one down south. It had always seemed really empty and I never actually brought anything from it, but I did buy the majority of my stuff from other FLGSs we have like vagabonds, redzeed etc.
This is hardly an informed opinion, but its always felt that the majority of the turnover in these stores are from card games. I can reliably walk in there any time during the week and there will be someone playing magic or vanguard etc. I used to do these as well, and most times I went in I would pick up boosters or singles, but in doing wargaming I very rarely, if ever, pick up something on gaming nights and from what I've seen not many others do too.
Everyone who does play miniature games though are typically adult and so can afford the prices GW are setting. I've talked to them about it and while they feel its high, dont really care as it is their hobby. Whereas others may skii, or do golf, they have few qualms about paying 150 odd dollars for a rulebook. Thats probably why the 10 copies my main store ordered sold out in preorders in a couple of days. Now say for example if GW halved their profits and the book retailed for $100 would my store have ordered and sold 20? I highly doubt it.
It does seem that people online are more inclined to kick up a fuss.

You are missing the point. We are complaining because we have to pay much more than anyone else in the world simply because we are in a different country. We all still buy it (not from GW necessarily) its the fact we are being in a way ripped off that annoys us.

 -Loki- wrote:


1. Accept it, and pay through the nose for their stuff.

 rahxephon wrote:
While I agree that the pricing isn't great, like most people have also stated its hardly going to change.

It might, I'd be surprised if GW starts lowering their prices any time soon (though it's not impossible, the GW of the 90's used to have sales and things), but I could see them not raising Oz/NZ prices as much as US/UK prices until they balance out. They are already inconsistent in their pricing, the Eldar release came on the back of several years of the Australian dollar being near parity with the US and it actually was NOT that overpriced. Some things have actually slipped through cheaper in Oz than the US. Of course after the Eldar release the AUD slipped (and then later returned) so I wonder if GW doesn't have enough confidence to continue decent regional pricing.

The problem is GW isn't going to lower their prices easily, and they've already set themselves moronically high with books and many models. To fix things they need to have an epic adjustment and lower the prices of books and many sets.

It's not impossible though, they just have to realise that people would buy more if the models were cheaper... which with their current mindset is unlikely.

There was a GW store in central Auckland until it recently shutdown, now I think there's only one down south. It had always seemed really empty and I never actually brought anything from it, but I did buy the majority of my stuff from other FLGSs we have like vagabonds, redzeed etc.
This is hardly an informed opinion, but its always felt that the majority of the turnover in these stores are from card games. I can reliably walk in there any time during the week and there will be someone playing magic or vanguard etc. I used to do these as well, and most times I went in I would pick up boosters or singles, but in doing wargaming I very rarely, if ever, pick up something on gaming nights and from what I've seen not many others do too.
Everyone who does play miniature games though are typically adult and so can afford the prices GW are setting. I've talked to them about it and while they feel its high, dont really care as it is their hobby. Whereas others may skii, or do golf, they have few qualms about paying 150 odd dollars for a rulebook. Thats probably why the 10 copies my main store ordered sold out in preorders in a couple of days. Now say for example if GW halved their profits and the book retailed for $100 would my store have ordered and sold 20? I highly doubt it.
It does seem that people online are more inclined to kick up a fuss.

All pretty anecdotal right there. Back in the 90's my local GW was the place to be, it was packed every thursday and friday night and most times you could go in and just get a random pick up game. I started WHFB when I was 10 and most my friends started before they were 15 (and almost all quit by the time they were 20). Was buying models with money I earned doing chores, I wasn't a little timmy asking mummy to buy me the $300 boxed set and $100 of modelling/painting tools. Most the people in the store through that era were under 25 if I were to hazard a guess, with many breezing through after school still wearing their uniforms.

That's probably why GW places too much faith in having tons of 1 man stores everywhere, because their stores DID do a raging business back in the day. Now that they've moved their stores further out of the way where rent is cheaper and dropped to 1 man stores with absurd start off prices, they've kind of screwed themselves and the stores are ghost towns for the best part of the day (though a few vets still breeze through my local GW in the evenings for pick up games).

IMO if GW is a game mostly for adults, it's because they priced themselves out of their own best market, which is the 10-18yo who have more time and imagination to waste on miniatures and table top gaming.

 rahxephon wrote:
While I agree that the pricing isn't great, like most people have also stated its hardly going to change. There was a GW store in central Auckland until it recently shutdown, now I think there's only one down south. It had always seemed really empty and I never actually brought anything from it, but I did buy the majority of my stuff from other FLGSs we have like vagabonds, redzeed etc.
This is hardly an informed opinion, but its always felt that the majority of the turnover in these stores are from card games. I can reliably walk in there any time during the week and there will be someone playing magic or vanguard etc. I used to do these as well, and most times I went in I would pick up boosters or singles, but in doing wargaming I very rarely, if ever, pick up something on gaming nights and from what I've seen not many others do too.
Everyone who does play miniature games though are typically adult and so can afford the prices GW are setting. I've talked to them about it and while they feel its high, dont really care as it is their hobby. Whereas others may skii, or do golf, they have few qualms about paying 150 odd dollars for a rulebook. Thats probably why the 10 copies my main store ordered sold out in preorders in a couple of days. Now say for example if GW halved their profits and the book retailed for $100 would my store have ordered and sold 20? I highly doubt it.
It does seem that people online are more inclined to kick up a fuss.

I'm an adult, and I can afford to keep my Tyranid army going.

I'm also an adult that can make my own decisions. One of those recently was to spend my money on a game where I perceive to get better value for money for what I spend. I've also made the decision to simply not pay GW's prices anymore by not buying anything from them.

Also, yes, games stores make the lions share of their money from card games and snacks. This isn't really a phenomenon only seen on this side of the pond - it's the same everywhere. Card games simply attract more people for various reasons, and the release methods keep people buying. And everyone loves a coke and some chips while having a game in the middle of the day.

If you want to talk anecdotal evidence, at my FLGS I hardly ever see anyone play 40k anymore, and if I do, no new releases are hitting the table. I see more games of Warmachine, Dystopian Wars, Flames or War and historicals. All being played by adults who can afford to play what they want.

There was a guy posting in the P&M section I think, he is selling on g Facebook, oz40k (Google it)

His prices are better than oz hammer, and he carries stock (admittedly, not much yet).

I believe he is importing from the US, seems like a good dude

You see, the great thing about any other wargame company over here is we don't need to resort to back alley deals with people on facebook to get a reasonable price.

We just buy the stuff from our FLGS or online retailer of choice.

 PrinceRaven wrote:
Given that Privateer Press is making a profit by selling things in Australia at the same price as overseas rather than a +30% or more markup, I don't see how the "overhead, tariffs, taxes or any other costs of doing business in your country" argument is at all valid.

Privateer Press isn't running an Import company, warehouse and national chain of retail stores.

Think before posting eh? But then again, rage is irrational

 44Ronin wrote:
Privateer Press isn't running an Import company, warehouse and national chain of retail stores.

Think before posting eh? But then again, rage is irrational

/facepalm

If none of those things result in a better product/service, GW should cancel them. To not do so is incompetence and to think otherwise is irrational.

 Yonan wrote:

 44Ronin wrote:
Privateer Press isn't running an Import company, warehouse and national chain of retail stores.

Think before posting eh? But then again, rage is irrational

/facepalm

If none of those things result in a better product/service, GW should cancel them. To not do so is incompetence and to think otherwise is irrational.

It does, that's why GW rose to be on top.
Can say for a fact that GW staff have helped thousands of people learn to paint for FREE.

All the rage, but where's the quit?

What have the "Press gangers" done in comparison? Please enlighten me?

 Yonan wrote:

 44Ronin wrote:
Privateer Press isn't running an Import company, warehouse and national chain of retail stores.

Think before posting eh? But then again, rage is irrational

/facepalm

If none of those things result in a better product/service, GW should cancel them. To not do so is incompetence and to think otherwise is irrational.

Yeah, I never understand these arguments. If GW stores are losing money they need to close their friggen stores. If they don't want to close their stores because they see them as advertising, either come chalk up the cost to advertising instead of passing it on to gamers and/or come up with a better way of advertising. But we know that the wholesale price in Oz is much more than other countries, so they're hamstringing FLGS's in addition to screwing over consumers. If the addition price was from the increased cost of selling a product here, then the wholesale price should be closer to parity and the RRP higher so that the stores can get the extra income to keep running.

Regarding the "import company and warehouse", all I can say about that is it's moronic that you can import a product from a foreign retail store and STILL have it cheaper than wholesale price over here. If that additional price came from the importing and warehousing then GW should just shoot themselves now because they fail at doing business.

 44Ronin wrote:

 PrinceRaven wrote:
Given that Privateer Press is making a profit by selling things in Australia at the same price as overseas rather than a +30% or more markup, I don't see how the "overhead, tariffs, taxes or any other costs of doing business in your country" argument is at all valid.

Privateer Press isn't running an Import company, warehouse and national chain of retail stores.

Think before posting eh? But then again, rage is irrational

And Games Workshop is. The players aren't forcing them to make bad business decisions, why should they pay the price for them?

Think before posting, 'kay?

 44Ronin wrote:
Can say for a fact that GW staff have helped thousands of people learn to paint for FREE.

So have the staff of every FLGS I've frequented that had a painting area. They have a vested interest in keeping customers happy.

 44Ronin wrote:
All the rage, but where's the quit?

Where's the rage? We're not raging, we're discussing the stupidities of GW's business practices in Australia. Rage free zone, but criticism is welcome.

 44Ronin wrote:
What have the "Press gangers" done in comparison? Please enlighten me?

Basically what GW staff do, without the store and 'import company' overheads. Drum up interest, organise tournaments, help out new players. In fact, it's such a successful program other companies are following suit. Corvus Belli announced they're starting up the Warcor program with the sme objectives.

 PrinceRaven wrote:

 44Ronin wrote:

 PrinceRaven wrote:
Given that Privateer Press is making a profit by selling things in Australia at the same price as overseas rather than a +30% or more markup, I don't see how the "overhead, tariffs, taxes or any other costs of doing business in your country" argument is at all valid.

Privateer Press isn't running an Import company, warehouse and national chain of retail stores.

Think before posting eh? But then again, rage is irrational

And Games Workshop is. The players aren't forcing them to make bad business decisions, why should they pay the price for them?

Think before posting, 'kay?

Sorry if you simply cannot comprehend that Privateer press is not Games Workshop.

I gave you legitimate reasons as to the differences. Then you cried and called the business model stupid. Well that's your opinion, not fact.


Now now gentlemen, can you address the points I gave you instead of dodging............realities.