Plasma/LCD prices

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thrifty

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Topic # 14295 26-Jun-2007 17:26

Hi, I want to buy a large screen TV.

I have found that prices in Aussie can be $2000 cheaper (46") than NZ for the same model.

My question is for example warranties are not transferable with Samsung, but are with Panasonic.
Does anybody know what other brands are transferable and what countries systems compatable with NZ ?

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Reply # 75986 26-Jun-2007 17:37

Have you added the GST, import tax, freight to this? And knowing how fragile a LCD/Plasma is, the risk of having your precious new screen breaking in transit - which is not covered by warranty?

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thrifty

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Reply # 75987 26-Jun-2007 17:46

Hi GST is charged in Aussie at 10%, when it's exported it can be claimed back or zero rated (not charged), when it arrives in NZ you get charged NZ GST @ 12.5% (2.5%) more than Aussie. Other taxes would not be applicable, as all TV's are imported. Freight and insurance would be about $450 via airfreight to NZ.

grant_k

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Reply # 75988 26-Jun-2007 18:13

Good Luck if you have any faults during the warranty period.

It will cost you another $450 to return the screen to Oz for service

Normally the seller would pay to return it to you after repair, but you could get hit by customs for another lot of GST which could be awkward to claim back if you are not a GST-registered person.

Think carefully before committing to the deal, whatever you do. If you shop around here and make it clear to the various salespeople what you are thinking of doing, they may be prepared to sharpen their pencils a bit...

sbiddle

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Reply # 75993 26-Jun-2007 18:21

Prices in NZ are a joke compared to Australia at present. I'm over here at present and can't believe that there is such a big price difference. Pioneer 50" Plasmas are A$4500 vs $NZ7500 and you can pick up Samsung and Panasonic 50" Plasma's for around A$3000, both of which sell for around the $4500 - $5000 mark in NZ.

thrifty

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Reply # 76008 26-Jun-2007 18:52

Grant 17, thanks for your comments.
As stated originally Panasonic warranties are transferable as they have a reciprocal agreement with Aussie. So I would not have to ship back to aussie for any warranty claim. I guess I will have to contact each major supplier to find out who has these agreements, then I would not have to return to aussie.

Went for a look today (again) looked over the guys shoulder and the price I was quoted was with a 5% margin.
Two things I think they must get rebates, I don't believe they cannot survive on 5% gross margin.

Re the argument that NZ is small and there costs are higher, yes there costs are higher than o'seas, but not $2000.00 compared to aussie for the same unit. 18 months ago I could ship pallets of dangerous goods from AK to CHCH for under $200.00. I would think ocean freight rates from asia to aussie or NZ wouldn't be more than a few hundred dollars more per 20' container.

euanandrews

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Reply # 76033 26-Jun-2007 19:52

Where have you seen these supa dupa low prices?

What retailers?

xlinknz

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Reply # 76038 26-Jun-2007 20:24

interesting as I was in the market for a large LCD too, I too figured that NZ prices were inflated but have decided to wait for dvd-t next year which in my opinion will bring the prices down

I wonder if the lower prices in Oz are due to HD TV being available in Oz and therefore a decent reason to get a LCD or Plasma TV leading to more market demand ?

thrifty

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Reply # 76039 26-Jun-2007 20:26

Have a look for the Sony x Series sony.co.nz/ sony.com.au, retails in NZ for NZ$7999 vs AU$5799. Max. discount I can get in NZ about 20% i.e NZD6399, aussie discounting is similar if not better

thrifty

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Reply # 76047 26-Jun-2007 20:44

I reck'on we're getting screwed.

What started this for me was the Samsung 46" M81 NZ retail $6999, less 20% = NZ5599

On exeltek.com.au, they sell for AU$3988 + 2.5 GST diff. = AU$4088 x/rate 0.90 =NZD4542, in this case $1000.00, probably not worth while shipping one in myself.

To me a grand is a lot of money. have a look at the US sites which are heaps cheaper again.

I might wait as well, should only get cheaper ?

Aloha

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Reply # 76065 26-Jun-2007 22:24

thrifty: Have a look for the Sony x Series sony.co.nz/ sony.com.au, retails in NZ for NZ$7999 vs AU$5799. Max. discount I can get in NZ about 20% i.e NZD6399, aussie discounting is similar if not better

Dont worry. I just came back from Kuala Lumpur where I checked out a Sony store and every TV cost about 1500-2000 NZ dollar less over there. Like the 40" Bravia X was around 6000NZD instead of 7999NZD as it sells here.

However I really dont understand the price difference between OZ and NZ.

For example:
Lets say NZ and OZ retailers are getting their TV's from Japan (or wherever). Lets say its a sample.

Selling price is the same for both retailers, shipping price should not be that different, OZ has 10% GST, NZ has 12.5% GST.
Where is this 2000NZ dollar difference? Is the import tax so different? Whose pocket this money goes into?

Where is an economist? :)

I is a kollege stoodent. Bee nice.

grant_k

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Reply # 76071 26-Jun-2007 22:41

Aloha: ...Where is this 2000NZ dollar difference? Is the import tax so different? Whose pocket this money goes into?

Where is an economist? :)

I'm not an economist, but I have been running a computer importing business for 17 years, so I can shed some light on the issues for you

* First up, remember that the Australian market is 5 x the size of ours
* Asian manufacturers always give better prices for larger quantities
* Shipping costs are also lower per unit for larger quantities -- with current fuel costs this is a VERY significant factor
* The Aussie importers are probably bringing in Plasma Screens by Sea Freight, on account of their larger volumes
* You may find that some of the smaller NZ importers are using Air Freight, which of course costs a lot more

Those are all the possible reasons, the price could be higher here. Having said that, the price differences you have mentioned seem a little more than could be justified by those factors alone.

I would say that the importers are lining their pockets to some extent while the dollar is so high. Who knows how long the good times will last, so you can't blame them for stashing away some extra profits to carry them through the lean times which may be just around the corner if the housing market crashes.

Competition in the marketplace should keep any importer from getting too greedy, but as always, it's Caveat Emptor

pinkpod

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Reply # 76079 27-Jun-2007 06:31

Are there any retailers in common between NZ and Australia? Maybe you could get it in Australia if the retailer also had an outlet in NZ

grant_k

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Reply # 76092 27-Jun-2007 10:43

pinkpod: Are there any retailers in common between NZ and Australia? Maybe you could get it in Australia if the retailer also had an outlet in NZ

Well, obviously there's Harvey Norman and now JB Hi Fi.

It would be interesting to know their policies regarding transfer of warranty between Oz and NZ. Does anyone know the details?

garvani

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Reply # 76093 27-Jun-2007 10:53

pinkpod: Are there any retailers in common between NZ and Australia? Maybe you could get it in Australia if the retailer also had an outlet in NZ

i dont think this would happen unfourtently.. Harvey norman are a Aus/Nz store but they wouldnt want to give you australian prices.. theres also the new JB Hifi store in aucks..

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Reply # 76095 27-Jun-2007 11:00

if you find a screen you like then don't forget to negotiate price with the retailer.... believe it or not some places like Farmers and Harvey Norman can be flexible on the price. My personal favourite is Stereo World in Dominion Road - the guys there are always good to sharpen their pencils if the opportunity presents.

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