Why is Home Theatre gear so expensive in NZ? (Vs. USA)

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1787 posts

Uber Geek

#1803201 19-Jun-2017 09:21

I am travelling to the US at the end of the year and will be looking at possibly bringing back a projector, am lining up something like the Epson 5040UB (TW-9300 here).

Price in US for the 5040 is $2499, plus if I buy in store, there will be a sales tax (NY sales tax of 8.5%), so $2711 all up. No shipping as I will be taking it with me, at todays exchange rate of circa 71c, $ 3820 or thereabouts. Now assuming I'll get stung GST on the way back through customs, $ 4400 all up. Pricing on Rapalloav for that same unit is $ 5400, so a full $1000 difference. Still fairly significant savings, but, no local warranty support, this will be an internal debate I'm yet to have.

On one hand, I've had multiple projectors over the years, and never had a warranty issue with any of them (my current AX200 had the lamp flicker issue that they all did, but this went away switching between high/low mode), but equally, if something does go wrong, no local waranty would be very costly.

decisions decisions.

Huchiz

221 posts

Master Geek

#1813221 5-Jul-2017 14:07

sen8or:

I am travelling to the US at the end of the year and will be looking at possibly bringing back a projector, am lining up something like the Epson 5040UB (TW-9300 here).

Price in US for the 5040 is $2499, plus if I buy in store, there will be a sales tax (NY sales tax of 8.5%), so $2711 all up. No shipping as I will be taking it with me, at todays exchange rate of circa 71c, $ 3820 or thereabouts. Now assuming I'll get stung GST on the way back through customs, $ 4400 all up. Pricing on Rapalloav for that same unit is $ 5400, so a full $1000 difference. Still fairly significant savings, but, no local warranty support, this will be an internal debate I'm yet to have.

On one hand, I've had multiple projectors over the years, and never had a warranty issue with any of them (my current AX200 had the lamp flicker issue that they all did, but this went away switching between high/low mode), but equally, if something does go wrong, no local waranty would be very costly.

decisions decisions.

if $5400 is their non-discounted price, go the the store talk to the staff your all adds up US buying price. I'm sure they will be happy to match, or at least very close. I know Harvey Norman Wairau Park does this model as well.

networkn

Networkn
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#1813260 5-Jul-2017 14:59

Having had 2 issues with 2 high-end projectors out of 2 I have bought, I'd be very careful buying internationally.

MCONZ

73 posts

Master Geek

#1815939 8-Jul-2017 16:41

I am currently looking to purchase a new Receiver as I am upgrading from my current Denon AVR-789, which has served me well since 2009.

I am tempted to try purchasing from an overseas retailer in the UK but the whole warranty/CGA issues that could arise has me thinking I better not.

It is annoying that there are no sales going around here in NZ at the moment (It seems all the specials that were around ended just as I started looking!).

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#1815944 8-Jul-2017 16:54

If it's an upgrade, you already have a system that presumably works.

That being the case, why not sit tight until a sale is on. Between the big sellers, there is usually one every few weeks.

MCONZ

73 posts

Master Geek

#1817226 9-Jul-2017 13:37

Yeah it still works fine, but I am wanting a wifi capable receiver which is HDCP 2.2 compliant and features Atmos and Spotify connect etc.

Hopefully Avalon will have a sale soon, as their sale prices are really good.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1817315 9-Jul-2017 15:23

MCONZ: Yeah it still works fine, but I am wanting a wifi capable receiver which is HDCP 2.2 compliant and features Atmos and Spotify connect etc.

Hopefully Avalon will have a sale soon, as their sale prices are really good.

Maybe - they've sold their distribution rights to a computer parts distributor, they still have a website but there's certainly no deals to be had.

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networkn

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#1817480 9-Jul-2017 20:52

Dunnersfella:

MCONZ: Yeah it still works fine, but I am wanting a wifi capable receiver which is HDCP 2.2 compliant and features Atmos and Spotify connect etc.

Hopefully Avalon will have a sale soon, as their sale prices are really good.

Maybe - they've sold their distribution rights to a computer parts distributor, they still have a website but there's certainly no deals to be had.

The impression I have it is that it will be business as usual.

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#1817590 10-Jul-2017 08:59

AV receivers are a luxury item in NZ . Luxury = low volume of sales = higher markup.

The real shock is how much they loose value on the second hand market. Look at the relatively low prices that AV amps
sell for on trademe (the ones that actually sell, not the dreamers prices). That shows theres really not much demand for them.

MCONZ

73 posts

Master Geek

#1817592 10-Jul-2017 09:08

Hopefully their business model won't change in regards to their sales (Avalon).

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#1817598 10-Jul-2017 09:28

Try another Brand
Chances are there will be other brands with more reasonable pricing (compared to the US)
Try some of the Hifi Shops that sell at more reasonable prices .

MCONZ

73 posts

Master Geek

#1817697 10-Jul-2017 10:54

But the problem is that prices in NZ at the HiFi shops ate not that reasonable 99% of the time.

Why is it that said store can offer such good discounts, when other specialist stores never do?
Customers are guaranteed to come when they do, even though the market in NZ is small.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1818789 10-Jul-2017 13:22

MCONZ: But the problem is that prices in NZ at the HiFi shops ate not that reasonable 99% of the time.

Why is it that said store can offer such good discounts, when other specialist stores never do?
Customers are guaranteed to come when they do, even though the market in NZ is small.

Because Avalon is a store as well as an importer (who sells direct).

sen8or

1787 posts

Uber Geek

#1818915 10-Jul-2017 14:59

I went into the local Denon dealer in Chch, the price I was offered for the 4300 was significantly less than the RRP, and that was without even trying.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1818979 10-Jul-2017 16:54

There's a Denon dealer in Christchurch?

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