Why is microsoft cert exam so expensive in nz?

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cloudlover

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#150592 27-Jul-2014 22:56

I'm preparing MCSA Windows 7 and found the price of it was surprisingly expensive. For example, in most asia countries including China, the price of one test (70-680) is 80 USD, while in NZ 220 NZD. Why??? Because in NZ people got more bucks?

insane

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2degrees

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#1096814 27-Jul-2014 23:41

It's well documented that software prices in NZ are out of step with what you'd expect based on the exchange rates, therefore I'm not suprised to find the exams are more expensive either.

Of course the companies providing the facilities to take the exams could also be taking more than their fair cut.

mattwnz

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#1096815 27-Jul-2014 23:44

Maybe they haven't adjusted it for many years. Maybe they are still thinking the exchange rate is 40-50 cents to the dollar. But I suppose they would never know until someone complains to them that they are charging too much compared to the current exchange rate.

cloudlover

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#1096816 27-Jul-2014 23:50

mattwnz: Maybe they haven't adjusted it for many years. Maybe they are still thinking the exchange rate is 40-50 cents to the dollar. But I suppose they would never know until someone complains to them that they are charging too much compared to the current exchange rate.

How to complain? I really want to do that:)

gzt

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#1096890 28-Jul-2014 09:21

First of all you want to do some research which should at least include prices in NZ, USA, China, UK, Australia. Then post the results here, and after the discussion send to with comments:

NZHerald
Campbell Live
Consumer Magazine
Target (TV3)
Commerce Commission

None of the above are a perfect fit for the issue, but it's the best place to start if there is an issue.

freitasm

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#1096904 28-Jul-2014 09:40

Have you thought of contacting Microsoft New Zealand first instead of going to these other channels first?

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wasabi2k

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#1096907 28-Jul-2014 09:46

captive market - gg.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

sidefx

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#1096929 28-Jul-2014 10:02

Pricing is quite variable (you can goto https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam-70-680.aspx and change region very easily) but I'm not sure comparing NZ pricing to Asia is the fairest comparison. Some other random countries which one might argue are a closer match:

Australia = 206AUD = 226 NZD
Netherlands = 150EUR = 235 NZD
Denmark = 99GBP = 197 NZD

(TBH I think regional pricing is crap in some ways, but if it includes a sit-down exam and paying someone in the region for that... probably fair enough to some degree. Of course I'd question whether it's actually worth an extra $120-140 compared to some of the cheaper countries.)

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