Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

[Graeme]

Hello, I live in Perth, Western Australia and have just started using Meguiars products. I am very pleased with them, but I am very disappointed to see that we here in Australia are paying a fortune for your products compared to the US.

Here is a brief list to give you an idea...

SUPREME SHINE MICROFIBER – SINGLE

$11.95 AUD - $3.99 USD
Convert our price to US Dollars = $9.39

SUPREME SHINE MICROFIBER – Three-Pack

$28.95 AUD - $9.99 USD
Convert our price to US Dollars = $22.76

EVEN-COAT APPLICATOR PADS – 2 PACK

$9.95 AUD - $2.99 USD
Convert our price to US Dollars = $7.82

DEEP CRYSTAL PAINT CLEANER

$14.95 AUD - $5.49 USD
Convert our price to US Dollars = $11.75

QUIK CLAY DETAILING SYSTEM

$34.95 AUD - $10.89 USD
Convert our price to US Dollars = $27.48

This is the recommended retail pricing, the stores charge even more.
I realize there are shipping and other expenses incurred, but even so this to me, seems too high a price to pay.

I cannot even order online from Meguiars US as they don't ship to Australia.

Graeme

[BlueZero]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Wow.

Wonder if I could pay for a trip to Australia if I pack all my suit cases with Meguiar's products... I'll just buy clothes when I get there.

[STG]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

If Meguiar's is happy with the profit their products bring in the USA at domestic price levels, it is safe to assume the company would be happy with the same level of profit on goods sold in Australia. Therefore, it is reasonable to presume that added transportation costs, taxes, exchange rate, local fees, etc. are responsible for the prices you pay.

I'd start by looking into Australia's import duties and taxes.

I remember that Australia had oppressive automobile import regulations. That's why Ford and GM (as Holden) set up manufacturing facilities in Australia.


I just looked up a couple of things. Evidently, Australia charges a 10% import tarriff (based on F.O.B. value) and 20% Value Added Tax. US prices do not include sales taxes, which are typically in the range of 0% to 8.75%.


If you take off 20% VAT from the Australian price (US$ 27.48) of the QUICK CLAY DETAILING SYSTEM, you get $27.48 / 1.20 = US$ 22.90.

Take off 10% import tariff, $22.90 / 1.1 = US$20.81

[Graeme]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Wow.

Wonder if I could pay for a trip to Australia if I pack all my suit cases with Meguiar's products... I'll just buy clothes when I get there.

[gbackus]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Direct economic value conversions are useless. You have to compare the local PPI(purchasing power index) and compare it to the foreign PPI to observe actually VALUE differences, not price differences.

[Graeme]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Well after reading my post again it comes over pretty harsh. I just saw the price differences and got rather peeved. My apologies.

I didn't realize that there was no tax included in the US pricing.

I am still wondering if it would be cheaper to order online if we were able too.

Graeme

[STG]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Well after reading my post again it comes over pretty harsh. I just saw the price differences and got rather peeved. My apologies.

I didn't realize that there was no tax included in the US pricing.

I am still wondering if it would be cheaper to order online if we were able too.

Graeme

You've got nothing to apologize for. If you have time, however, you may want to explain to the guy in South Gate that that workers in Australia don't make two to three times equivalent US wages!!!

[Arne]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Do you want to know the Norwegian prices on Meg. ?

All prices converted to USD from NKR:

Scratch X -26$

Quik Clay Detailing System- 38$

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner- 21$

Gold Class Liquid Wax - 40$

Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax- 22$

Supreme Shine Microfiber (single pack) -17$

#80(1.gallon)-207,8$

Welcome to Norway.this is the price i have to pay.

[BlueZero]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Just a dumb question but... How much does it cost to ship you guys something from the US? I mean if you would buy some Meguiar's products off ebay or something. What would it cost to ship that over to you? I know nothing about shipping overseas. Just a thought. Heck, I'd help out if I could.

[BlueZero]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Ouch... just did a Fed Ex shipping cost. It would cost me $291.58 to send a 10 lb. box to Aalesund, Norway. Guess that's why that doesn't work.

[Arne]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

I normaly calculate the same price on shipping as i`ve spendt buying meguiars product`s,but i buy all my meguiars product at sparkleauto.

[fishbonezken]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

same goes for the prices here in Malaysia,

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (RM48) = USD 12.80
Price in U.S = USD 5.49

NXT Tech Wax (RM108) = USD 28.80
Price in U.S = USD 14.95

Quik Clay (RM80) = USD 21.33
Price in U.S = USD 9.99

GC Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner (RM 48) = USD 12.80
Price in U.S = USD 6.49


We have to pay almost double of the prices in the States.
Which makes some of us who are not that well to do look for alternatives from other brands like Turtle Wax or Eagle One.

[Graeme]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Gees I see we are not the only ones that seem to be paying a lot. Someone is making a nice chop at our expense.

One other thing, Megs don't offer their G100a here in Australia.

Graeme

[the other pc]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

Ouch... just did a Fed Ex shipping cost. It would cost me $291.58 to send a 10 lb. box to Aalesund, Norway. Guess that's why that doesn't work.

That’s paying for the overnight (or at least ASAP) air thing.

If you ship via US Postal Service (Economy Surface) a 22lbs (10kg) package would be about US$37 to Norway or US$46 to either Australia or Malaysia. It’ll take a few weeks to get there though.

We’ve been shipping Christmas stuff to Germany, Italy and Sweden via USPS for the last few years. They have good rates and so far they’ve always delivered our packages earlier than expected.


PC.

[hpaco]

Re: Why do Aussies have to pay so much?

sorry didn