Browsing locally, Purchasing Globally?

July 3, 2005 9:15 PM

Browsing locally, purchasing on the Net. In regards to Ice Hockey and Comic Books, and why everything is so damn expensive in Australia...

I remember reading something about this here in the last year, but cannot seem to find it, and my recollection of the thread is slightly different to what I am asking... Basically my dilemma is this. I am an American who has been living in Australia for the past four years, and I still have not gotten used to how terribly expensive things can be over here compared to what they are in the states.

I am considering starting to play ice hockey here, and want to purchase a pair of skates, however there is only one shop in the state, and it would cost me about 5-600 dollars more to get a decent pair of skates in this shop than it would to purchase it online.

Firstly, I want to support local business, but I simply cannot afford to in this situation. The same thing goes with comics. Who should I be supporting, the shop or the artist? Back in New York, I could buy 5-10 books a month (fantagraphics, d+q, etc), but here, for spending the same amount of money, i can only get like 1 or two books. Is there any way to rationalise this or to explain the huge difference in pricing?

Secondly, if I decide to purchase online, I would be hesitent to do so without trying the skate on. Would I be a total tool if I walked into this shop, and offered them some cash to just try on the skates? Oh the drama!

Sorry this is such a rant, but it is something that has been on my mind for some time. Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer some helpful words.

posted by LongDrive to shopping (8 comments total)

however there is only one shop in the state, and it would cost me about 5-600 dollars more to get a decent pair of skates in this shop than it would to purchase it online.

Mate, not many people down here play ice hockey. In regards to your skates, it's an economy of scale. Footy boots, for instance, are relatively cheaper.

In terms of other things, you have to take into account:

(a) Import duties (quite high, especially on "luxury" items)
(b) The GST (10%)
(c) Transport. We're a long way from anywhere, particularly America. And we don't make ice skates or print your favourite comic books here.

On the plus side, fresh food is good and cheap, and wine is a bargain!
posted by Jimbob at 9:29 PM on July 3, 2005

(Oh yeah, and we expect you to tip. Surely that's got to make an impact on your budget?)
posted by Jimbob at 9:31 PM on July 3, 2005

DON'T expect you to tip. Sheesh.
posted by Jimbob at 9:31 PM on July 3, 2005

Jimbob- The wine/comic tradeoff is a tough one, but seriously, I went to try to skate at the temporary rink put up at docklands for a few weeks, and the sessions SOLD OUT, so I had to drive to Oakleigh to the only other Rink in Victoria apart from Bendigo, and that was so packed you could hardly move. I think more people are interested in ice skating than you think, and I find it a bit offensive that Australia spends this insane amount of cash on sport, but neglects a game that alot of people seem to play (there are over 7 teams in victoria, with about 5-6 divisions in each team, see here, and they all split ice time at ONE small rink).

The food is freaking incredible though. You are right.

Rant over.
posted by LongDrive at 9:43 PM on July 3, 2005

I know what you're saying about Ice Hockey, actually - every now and again there's a story on the news about its growing popularity in Australia.
posted by Jimbob at 9:52 PM on July 3, 2005

Try the skates on in the shop and buy them on online. Don't offer money to try them on, they'll think you're a total tool. Book and CD/DVD pricing has always been out of kilter so don't expect that to change anytime soon.
my recollection of the thread is slightly different to what I am asking
Maybe this juicer thread?
posted by tellurian at 10:52 PM on July 3, 2005

there are over 7 teams in victoria, with about 5-6 divisions in each team

So that'd be right up there with gridiron?

(OTOH, perhaps you've just spotted a nice market niche... I can't imagine there are too many Aussies who'd know what makes a good pair of ice-skates, so your competition would be limited to other ex-pats)

...as for comics, books of all stripes have always been overpriced here. I suspect it's a hangover from the time of a strictly regulated market where a book published in the UK was ok, but the same book imported from the US was illegal. Those laws have, of course, been done away with, but it's not like businesses will all just drop their prices because it's the right thing to do....
posted by pompomtom at 7:27 AM on July 4, 2005

pompomtom writes "I can't imagine there are too many Aussies who'd know what makes a good pair of ice-skates"

Actually Steven Bradbury used to (don't know if he still does) hand craft some of the best skates in the world - in the Salt Lake City Olympic race he won through luck, I distinctly remember the gold medal favourite, Apolo Ohno was wearing a pair of skates made by Brisbane's Bradbury. Obviously not for our poster.
JimBob is right about the cost overheads here. I can only think that if they are that much cheaper in the States that you get someone to send a pair - perhaps after trying them on here. Otherwise I'd go with what Tellurian suggests. Or, ring the Victorian Ice Skating board/authority or whatever and ask them pehaps if there's 2nd hand stuff available or how you could get them more cheaply. *shrug* Try cricket?
posted by peacay at 7:49 AM on July 4, 2005