Hi, On 10/05/2013 3:27 PM, Brent Wallis wrote:
Agreed on the Buyer Beware statement, but if you search RC's comments on the subject of 3G data plans/costs/value for money the last couple of years you may find that there is a thread of tryout/discovery as to what is a valid deal and what is not. That is, RC manages to eek out the best deals on paper, experiments, then HAS reported back to the list if the plan did not work out.
RC.... let's not go there.
Crazy Johns, went through a similar ordeal....but won a large payout in the end.
Yes, CJ had the best deal with Telstra way back ... nobody has any hope of getting any kind of deal like that ever again from Telstra.
All it took was persistence...deep pockets or not, Telstra does have a duty to adhere to the law....and can be forced to when push comes to shove.
If they can't find a loophole, they'll use. They can bully you with over zealous legal gang, it just might be too costly to get justice, it often is for the average person and/or small company.
Oh and if I was the government, I would put a stop to the practices of Kogan, that is, avoiding GST by selling to Australians IN Australia, but from an "overseas supplier" .... well, the sooner we get a fair market place, the better.
Government on all sides is looking into this , but at present, the cost of admin and recovery is far greater than the amount gathered by the GST. Remember, imports over $1000 are subject to GST
I understand, but this is very blatant. It is one of the things that government must get a better handle on -- just like the profits of Google and other major multinationals that trade here.
Let me re-iterate, Kogan sells grey import product -- Samsung has said that they would be applying updates to geographic locations based on the target product's market, which means that a 9500 S4 will not be expected to get updates over the AU model 9505 S4 when being used in AU. Also, the 9500 doesn't include any 4G capability. Buy the AU version from an AU retailer, giving full warranty protection and a proper GST inclusive tax invoice and you'll get better support through Samsung (warranty and official software updates).
Perhaps we should be a little clearer here.
Most "Grey" imports are deemed such by the manufacturer!.
Yes, I agree. I certainly don't think we should be paying more, just for being in AU. However, take the 9500 S4 vs the 9505 S4 -- the Kogan price doesn't represent value even sans GST. Their best price today seems to be $699, but for not much more you can have the AU product and be able to claim GST back (as a business). A Melbourne supplier of unbranded 9505 product is selling the 9505 for $799 today, including GST and normal manufacturer AU warranty (not third party warranty). Paying a little more for the peace of mind and a proper tax invoice is enough for me.
Your Samsung example is case in point.
True, but I didn't make the "rules", not happy about the situation either, but that's part of buyer beware too.
They create artificial geographic market borders then sell to each on different terms.
Yes.
The fact we pay more for prop. software is another example of this.
Absolutely, I agree.
Kogan has found a way to work around that and I argue it is to all of our economic benefit whether you buy from him or not.
Yes, but most suppliers won't match pricing on unlike product options; if it was AU stock and available on hand, then we would be better off from a consumer point of view. As it is, it almost becomes apples vs oranges, they aren't the same product.
Kogan is a disruptor trying to undermine the absolute control that a manufacturer tries to excersize in global markets.
Yes, I concede that they do help somewhat though .... but I'm not so sure it is enough to make a real serious difference.
Without that business getting "in the road", Gerry Harvey would be charging 30% more for TVs in this country make no mistake.
A rarely shop at "hardly normals" ... ;)
I politely disagree. RC has always reported back on list if there was an issue.
I appreciate your politeness, thank you. But I'll politely remain in disagreement.
Whilst I do not agree with RC on some issues.....I can not fault the honest appraisals and analysis of these sorts of cost/benefit subjects! ...and I hope it continues!
I don't, I think his analysis isn't really up to scratch, but enough said there -- glad you enjoy his input, I don't really enjoy it at all myself; to each, their own.
I do not support Kogan today and I will likely never support them for the reasons given.
A lot of people in my Model Aircraft Hobby said that about these guys a few years back: http://hobbyking.com
Okay, I get your point. Hopefully, they can be held accountable too one day though. Price is just one principle, there are always other considerations when making a "value and/or values" assessment.
...but now at least 90% of our club is buying at least some of their "stuff" from them. Kogan, Hobbyking and any other number of other online only retailers are simply reflecting the merchanidising and marketing concepts/possibilities described here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_tail
It pisses the hell out of the Telstra's, Samsungs and Gerry Harveys....but in the end, consumers benefit to some degree. I have NEVER purchased a Kogan item....but I am really glad he is there cos I have probably saved thousands the last few years when shopping at JB or Hardly Normal simply because he exists !
I think you will find that JB wouldn't be much different due to Kogan, but otherwise I do see your point. Kind Regards AndrewM