iPhone 4S NZ Price Gouging

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codyc1515

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#91657 18-Oct-2011 14:31

I have been looking into buying an iPhone 4S lately so I decided to work out some of the costs to get an unlocked, 16GB Black iPhone 4S. I wasn't all that surprised but was kind of annoyed to see that some of the local "retailers" (if you can call them that...) we're charging rather astonishing prices, even after factoring in GST and the like.

Anybody know of any "reasonable" places where I could purchase an iPhone 4S?

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#534725 18-Oct-2011 14:33

Don't buy off them then, They are a business there to make $$ and pay staff

codyc1515

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#534731 18-Oct-2011 14:42

johnr: Don't buy off them then, They are a business there to make $$ and pay staff

I understand that, thats the goal of any business. I was really more interested in learning if there was anybody else selling them in NZ.

clicknz

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#534737 18-Oct-2011 14:53

As the 4S hasn't been officially released in NZ (& there's no word on when it will be released), then importers are the only way to buy (without importing yourself). Due to scarcity factor (& freight, sourcing issues, risks, etc) they will probably be charging at the high end of the global market.... this isn't anything unusual.
I haven't heard of any other retailers selling them, but I guess as it's released in Aus there will be quite a few in the country already.

Cheers,
Mike

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matisyahu

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#534739 18-Oct-2011 14:59

clicknz: As the 4S hasn't been officially released in NZ (& there's no word on when it will be released), then importers are the only way to buy (without importing yourself). Due to scarcity factor (& freight, sourcing issues, risks, etc) they will probably be charging at the high end of the global market.... this isn't anything unusual.
I haven't heard of any other retailers selling them, but I guess as it's released in Aus there will be quite a few in the country already.

For the price difference one might as well go to Australia for a holiday and pick one up whilst you're there - it is frustrating there is such a delay given that Apple Australia service Apple New Zealand as well IIRC - so why don't they launch the two at the same time or at the very least start selling through the Apple Store and sort out the carrier agreements later on?

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

codyc1515

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#534740 18-Oct-2011 15:01

kawaii:
clicknz: As the 4S hasn't been officially released in NZ (& there's no word on when it will be released), then importers are the only way to buy (without importing yourself). Due to scarcity factor (& freight, sourcing issues, risks, etc) they will probably be charging at the high end of the global market.... this isn't anything unusual.
I haven't heard of any other retailers selling them, but I guess as it's released in Aus there will be quite a few in the country already.

For the price difference one might as well go to Australia for a holiday and pick one up whilst you're there - it is frustrating there is such a delay given that Apple Australia service Apple New Zealand as well IIRC - so why don't they launch the two at the same time or at the very least start selling through the Apple Store and sort out the carrier agreements later on?

i'm just curious what the fees would be (if any)?
e.g. GST, shipping, etc.

mattbush

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#534746 18-Oct-2011 15:12

Keep calling the 0800 APPLE number and asking them why NZ customers are being treated in a shabby fashion.

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Teeps

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#534752 18-Oct-2011 15:19

In your calculations you have forgotten a to include a few things which make the imported prices look much cheaper than they would be in reality.

Firstly US prices are always quoted without the relevant sales tax, his varies on where you buy but let's say Los Angeles (a convenient place to buy something if you're travelling to NZ), the sales Tax is approx 10.5% above the local cost so the US price isn't quite as low as you're probably thinking. Then you have to add not only GST in NZ on the item prplus it also on the shipping cost, import transaction fees, GST on import transaction fee plus a disbursement fee! It all adds up and these companies aren't able to buy these at wholesale prices which I would say is making for quite a fair price.

If you want an example of import duty costs I just bought a loudspeaker on eBay from Italy. The cost including shipping was €350 which worked out at NZ$600, customs charges on it came to just under NZ$140. I purchased knowing of these charges but could be quite a shock if you're not expecting it.

Prices will likely be closer to other countries once the 4S is released here, but if you're wanting one before then don't think you're being gouged by these companies as they're the ones taking on these extra costs of importing stock and increased risks of holding stock.

codyc1515

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#534755 18-Oct-2011 15:23

Teeps: In your calculations you have forgotten a to include a few things which make the imported prices look much cheaper than they would be in reality.

Firstly US prices are always quoted without the relevant sales tax, his varies on where you buy but let's say Los Angeles (a convenient place to buy something if you're travelling to NZ), the sales Tax is approx 10.5% above the local cost so the US price isn't quite as low as you're probably thinking. Then you have to add not only GST in NZ on the item prplus it also on the shipping cost, import transaction fees, GST on import transaction fee plus a disbursement fee! It all adds up and these companies aren't able to buy these at wholesale prices which I would say is making for quite a fair price.

If you want an example of import duty costs I just bought a loudspeaker on eBay from Italy. The cost including shipping was €350 which worked out at NZ$600, customs charges on it came to just under NZ$140. I purchased knowing of these charges but could be quite a shock if you're not expecting it.

Prices will likely be closer to other countries once the 4S is released here, but if you're wanting one before then don't think you're being gouged by these companies as they're the ones taking on these extra costs of importing stock and increased risks of holding stock.

Yes, I thought of a few of these things afterwards (notably the sales tax in the US). Since you put it that way it certainly does not look all that much cheaper, I think I will hold off until they are released here or I take a visit to another country.

stevenz

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#534756 18-Oct-2011 15:25

NZ represents such a tiny part of Apples total revenue, they aren't likely to care how upset you are by their level of service. They know that people will buy the product anyway. There's a reason that they deliberately short-supply all of their new products, it's not a practice they're likely to stop any time soon.

The exact same story pops up every time they release a new model, it's not anything new.

@KnightNZ

johnr

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#534759 18-Oct-2011 15:28

mattbush: Keep calling the 0800 APPLE number and asking them why NZ customers are being treated in a shabby fashion.

What is the point of this?

Teeps

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#534763 18-Oct-2011 15:31

codyc1515: Yes, I thought of a few of these things afterwards (notably the sales tax in the US). Since you put it that way it certainly does not look all that much cheaper, I think I will hold off until they are released here or I take a visit to another country.

Lol, yes naturally if you or a friend are travelling abroad you may be able to pick one up for just the cost in that country, and if you don't declare it on entry to NZ may even get away without the import duty and GST making the price probably lower than it will be retail here when released. Remember that an item of that value you should declare it on arriving in the country and pay the relevant charges

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codyc1515

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#534764 18-Oct-2011 15:33

johnr:
mattbush: Keep calling the 0800 APPLE number and asking them why NZ customers are being treated in a shabby fashion.

What is the point of this?

Agreed, the only thing that will result from this is making other people have to wait longer in the "queue" while some person rants about not being able to get a phone.

MikeyPI

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#534791 18-Oct-2011 16:09

I have to laugh, your thread title states "iPhone 4S NZ Price Gouging" which is merely true free market capitalism, then you vehemently attack those who wish to question that in the "occupy together" thread...

sorry back on topic...

codyc1515

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#534795 18-Oct-2011 16:12

MikeyPI: I have to laugh, your thread title states "iPhone 4S NZ Price Gouging" which is merely true free market capitalism, then you vehemently attack those who wish to question that in the "occupy together" thread...

sorry back on topic...

I would agree that it is "true free market capitalism", that doesn't make it fair though.

MikeyPI

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#534865 18-Oct-2011 17:58

codyc1515:
I would agree that it is "true free market capitalism", that doesn't make it fair though.

ROTFFLOL.....

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