Why is APR software so cheap overseas?

[Tim]

Go to the UK and price up a Golf there, it'll be a lot cheaper than here.

Golf GTI sells for more in the UK than it does here. VW have done a pretty good job coming to the market at a competitive price point in Australia.

[h100vw]

I adjust my prices dependant on the cost of the credit I buy for my flash lead. I set my prices against the other tuners on the market when I arrived in Australia. TBH without the overheads of a big set up like APR, I am happy with how I am doing.

There's always the choice to go somewhere else.

Motec may be a $1000 to tune but I doubt that you could get factory quality cold running, hot starting etc etc without spending a great deal of time, on top of the ECU and fitting. I don't think that point holds much water.

[DNA Tuning]

APR also seem to bring out new programs earlier than its competitors here; which allows them to price tunes much higher as they can dominate the entire market for some time. Also, here in Australia, they can more or less ignore the pricing overseas as nobody is going to get their Australian car tuned by an overseas dealer anyway.

Furthermore, they can also tout their technologies such as their switchable ECMS system to their advantage; similar to how Mercedes Benz can be proud of being a technology leader, and thus price their products well above the rest.

Most of all however, is that they have a very effective marketing strategy through a well-developed website, multiple dealers nation-wide, and forums that they run where they have control over the content and advertising to promote their products; most of my customers weren't aware of any alternatives.

Fortunately for those who do carry out further research, there are usually cheaper alternatives for "similar" products. Of course, there is no denying the peace of mind that comes with choosing a product backed by a large company though; therefore both expensive and affordable options can thrive in this industry as they appeal to different markets.

[VW Convert]

Most of all however, is that they have a very effective marketing strategy through a well-developed website, multiple dealers nation-wide, and forums that they run where they have control over the content and advertising to promote their products; most of my customers weren't aware of any alternatives.

This line piques my curiosity....................on which specific forums do APR have "control over the content"?

[Tim]

ozaudi.com

[Rob Burns]

Don't know if I really want to go here, but, the short of it is, its all about controlling the market and the margin and I'm fine with that except when the dollar is strong as it is now and everyone still keeps the same pricing and that would be fine if !! when the stock moves on and new stock comes in at the lower figures we should be able to get something out of it.

Quote from the guy that I went through that did my conversion on my Dodge Ram, You couldn't be unhappy if we only made a grand from this, $ 60,000 + gst later, (that's just conversion) if he would have been standing in front of me I would have punched him in the face. and he sells trucks like mine for 175 thousand, I brought mine in and converted for 140 thousand even after 60 thousand conversion. It just ****s me that we get taken advantaged of here.

Enough of me rambling on, cause I can ramble for hours on this one. Protection of Margin that's what it all about, but that will all change over time or they will be out of business

Cheers ssman

Holy crap. You paid how much for a Dodge Ram?

[philthy]

If you don't want to pay the prices asked, stop whining and buy something else! There's plenty of competition in Oz.

Edit: to actually answer the OP's question, APR like any other business sets their prices according to what the market is prepared to pay and would be silly not to.

[GoLfMan]

Id rather go GIAC or Custom Code any day of the week. APR wants drug money for products.

$4g for an exhaust. LOL

[Brian]

There are plenty of premium tuners in the market selling their product around the $1000 mark. If you dont like the someones price dont pay it.
If you think a product is worth paying a premium for then by all means go for it but dont complain about it.

Good point, Tim. Do your research cause in the end most chip enhancements end up in the same ballpark wrt power and torque gain. Go with what you believe is the best value for money. With a strong A$ I recently purchased a Bluefin / superchips upgrade for the 118 TSi from the UK for $660. Delivered to my door in less than 4 days and user installable. Claimed figures similar to APR for $1550. Switchable back to stock in 5 mins by the user. Make your own decision on value for money, I'm happy

[DNA Tuning]

That really is good value; it would be interesting to have a superchipped car dyno'd against an APR car - APR invest alot of time and effort into extracting the most out of specific models so it would be admirable if the real figures were close.