Again we get ripped

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Again we get ripped

1gkar

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Ultimate Geek

#4097 19-May-2005 12:49

Hello,

Upon seeing the attached thread, made me register to voice what we all know in NZ;

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=34&TopicId=3615

and that is we continually get ripped off, stabbed in the back & stuck with obselete & bugged products.

Fo a comparison, check out this US deal

http://www.pcalchemy.com/index.php/cName/mce-bundles

I'm referring specifically to the third item. & that includes the Nvidia decoder pack.

US$229.95 =NZ$319.38 @$0.72

Krome's rate =$570.00 - $320.00 =NZ$250.00

That equates to a profit of about 65% if you subtract $25 for per unit shipping costs.

Now, the Hauppauge PVR150MCE card can be bought in NZ for $158. Don't believe me

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentlist.asp?parttypeid=27

Krome's rate =$570 - $158 =$412 for 2005MCE software & remote

A remote should not be that expensive to purchase; even a proprietary one like the Microsoft

http://www.pcalchemy.com/index.php/cName/remote-controls

say, NZ$85 incl shipping =$60% minus $5 per unit shipping charge

which leaves $412 - $85 =$327 for the OS itself

http://www.pcalchemy.com/index.php/cName/mce-software

US$122.95 =NZ$170.76 @$0.72

$327 - $171 =$156 which =92% increase

Please remember my estimates have been made off a US site which already includes their profits!

I don't think Krome can expect too many purchases of their packages, regardless of what is stated, eh.

NB. all NZ costs ex GST.

Silverstone LC14 HTPC Case/Intel E4600 CPU/GA-EP35-DS3 MOBO/Asus EN9500GT graphics/2GB RAM/total 2TB HDD space/HVR-2200 & 2X 150MCE tuner cards/LG GGC-H20L BD Drive/MCE2005/Mediaportal/TVServer 1.1.0Final/LG 55"3D LED-TV/Denon AVR-1803 receiver/X1 projector

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#14858 19-May-2005 18:39

Apple Ipod 60Gb Photo - sub $800
http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.filereader?428c31c80285b1d02740c0a87f990746+EN/catalogs/CTG0001930

Apple Ipod 60GB Photo - over $1100 (AFTER their buy online special!)
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=1461

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#14866 19-May-2005 23:01

Hey, not every site is going to have the best price for every product. That's why we have engines like Google & Pricespy; we have to search out the deals.

The only time when that is not feasible is when one company has a monoply on the product like, say, the oil cartels with petrol, or Microsoft releasing products very selectively to resellers with a view that could easily be perceived by the general populace as price gouging.

I believe their are certain companies in this coutry/world that want pirates to stop stealing their ideas/products. Then, I would suggest the first logical step is to sell their items at comparitive prices to what they can be procured overseas -anyone compared music cd prices to USA?

And no, I am not a pirate but I also believe not every pirate sits in a basement copying cds/dvds. I would suggest a lot more sit in an office and hide behind legalise & white collars (checked NZRFU ticket prices for the Lions tour lately?).

I'm going to be building an HTPC very soon & most likely I'll use 3+ resellers for my components unless my preferred ones can match the prices which are more expensive.

tonyhughes

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#14867 19-May-2005 23:08

I agree 100%. I was just noting a massive price difference that made me gasp.... :-)

I just built a new PC.

Each line below was from a different online seller (no retail shops)

Case/mobo/cpu
120gb
160gb
1gb ram
DVD writer
DVD rom

This meant i got an awesome price on a system that literally cost 3 to 4 times as much in a retail shop.

Everyone should shop around for any IT purchase... (even for the seperate bits).

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#14877 20-May-2005 09:43

Well done on your puying prowess, Disenchanted.

Is it a gaming rig? HTPC? Or a bitzer? If HTPC only, what size CPU did you go with?

For those reading this thread that are considering doing what Disenchanted has done & what I am planning, do not restrict yourself to using the engines like Pricespy as some of the best prices I have discovered, like the Hauppauge card were not found on Pricespy but by Googling with .co.nz as a rider.

Don't think I'll be using 2055MCE until it becomes freely available (if ever). Guess I'll stick with the basic Home package + frontend +PVR with IR

taniwha

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#14878 20-May-2005 12:02

Try buying fejoas in the US, and you'll see how cheap they are here in NZ - in fact most people with a tree will give you bags of them if you display the slightest interest.

prices are different everywhere, depending on volume, demand, and all the time it takes to import. you're not just paying for the product, you're paying someone to source them, import them, store them, ship them.

1gkar

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#14880 20-May-2005 13:32

True, Taniwha. But my point is this: how many distributors in the USA are precluded from buying fejoas from New Zealand if they want? I'll bet there is still true competition available for most products (I may be wrong but I don't think I am) at every stage of the sales chain.

The way most business works is:

Manufacturer>(mainland Distributor)>importer>(wholesaler)>local distributor>(reseller)>end line user

The bracketed titles can be omitted for the most direct route.

You hit the nail on the head when you stated volume. That is the main parameter for pricing structures: the more you sell>greater revenue. However, most businesses these days miss a very viable alternative, that is: less profit but greater turnover = more revenue in the long run. I'm not after the cheapest prices because there often can be support issues with companies that sell markedly below others. I would rather pay 15% more from a company I know has a solid support structure & record towards its clientele.

But when the local distributor has a monoply on the items sold to the local marketplace they can increase substantially the amount the end line user pays from having no real option, except to source elsewhere. Unless they can procure directly from the country of origin, if the manufacturer allows it, they are stuck with the inflated pricing structure. We are, afterall, supposed to now be truly global, economically.

Some of the other parameters you mentioned are also requirements of any company who purchases a product, irrespective of their global location. Even US distributors/resellers need to source, ship them internally & store them. But more & more are not buying the physical product anymore, they just consignment sell the order.

taniwha

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#14881 20-May-2005 14:56

similar problem with the palmone lifedrives.

Dicksmith has an exclusive on these gizmos until July 1st...
so, i either pay their full retail price, or i wait for someone else (ascent) to get these after july 1...

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#14882 20-May-2005 15:04

taniwha: similar problem with the palmone lifedrives.

Dicksmith has an exclusive on these gizmos until July 1st...
so, i either pay their full retail price, or i wait for someone else (ascent) to get these after july 1...

[rant on] Lucky us that DSE will have this for sale (not). I have never managed to have a device from palmOne for a review before it went on sale here. Even though we used to have a NDA that wasn't enough for them to even consider arranging something with us. [rant off].

taniwha

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#14883 20-May-2005 15:31

that would be another reason i'm not buying it from DSE :-)
without the reviews, i don't buy.

1gkar

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#14885 20-May-2005 16:38

The advocate for the plaintiff rests his case

tonyhughes

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#14901 21-May-2005 14:24

>Well done on your puying prowess, Disenchanted.

Thanks :-) (I like to think im a savvy consumer LOL)

>Is it a gaming rig? HTPC? Or a bitzer? If HTPC only, what size CPU did you go with?

bitzer - no gaming at all. 2800+ (o-c'ed by 500mhz) 1GB3200 160GB-8MB 19"PolyviewLCD DVD16x+/-RW etc etc. Basically a high spec budget machine (if that makes sense)

>For those reading this thread that are considering doing what Disenchanted has done & what I am planning, do not restrict yourself to using the engines like Pricespy as some of the best prices I have discovered, like the Hauppauge card were not found on Pricespy but by Googling with .co.nz as a rider.

Absolutely - I dont normally rely on pricespy. I got 80% of my stuff new on TradeMe and got -very- good deals. If you are not too technical it can pay to stick to reputable companies though. (for support/returns etc). Remember - you have to pay for good service usually!!

>Don't think I'll be using 2055MCE until it becomes freely available (if ever). Guess I'll stick with the basic Home package + frontend +PVR with IR

I am just about to embark on the PVR trail.... thinking of going low end sempron becuase 99% of my hometheater needs is music, and i have a very good quality DVD player already.

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#14911 21-May-2005 21:05

I'll be going the other way because I use my existing PC for everything including HTPC/DVD playback. I'll be getting something in the order of an AMD 643000+ so I can use the power of fDDShow & upscale DVDs to 720p resolution & future-proofing.

I won't be purchasing any hardware off Trademe as the research I have done indicates companies are attempting to sell their products with no support/warranties for near retail prices obtainable from online stores.

I would rather pay $20 more for the same PSU & have some form of comeback if the unit is defective & PC components do still have a reasonable percentage of failures.

Besides, it is sending the wrong message to companies to allow them to think this is an exceptable practice (I have indicated such to Trademe although they don't appear to believe it is a problem -surprise, surprise: take the money & run). If they are going to make profits with no support & backup they won't be getting any of my money.

And no, the above paragraph does not contravene what I have stated earlier. It is all about finding a price balance between costings & support. I have dealt with, and will continue to deal with certain companies who stand by their sales & have a decent pricing structure (ie. Paradigm PCs)

tonyhughes

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#14912 21-May-2005 22:38

if i buy something on TM and it fails - I know I dont have any real comeback.

i will pay 10 - 20% more for something from a retail or reputable online dealer. however, if the dealer has the PSU i want at $60 and TM has it for $30 or $40 - i will buy it off TM

Caveat Emptor :-)