Quote Originally Posted by Dub_Star_V6 View Post
There's the kicker, because when you add import duties, pricing become similar. Yes it's still cheaper OS but considering the warranty and product support you'll get I'm not sure it's really worth it with some big dollar purchases?
The prices are not similar, not even close. As I indicated, working with a local operator, we managed to get my PSS9s as a one-off (ie no discount for bulk purchase or per unit savings for bulk shipping) landed with all taxes, duties and profit margin for TWO end-user facing businesses (only one being an online business with the associated lower operating expenses) for $2420. That's ~$600 less (or 20%!) than Bilstein Australia quoted when they've got access to better pricing due to their wholesale/import agreement and their ability to bulk import and save money on the per-unit shipping costs. The initial quote from Bilstein Australia was actually $3400 (they only dropped the price to $3000 due to having the item in stock rather than having to bring it in), or almost 50% more expensive than I've ended up paying.

And that's just one example. The ball joints mentioned in another thread are another prime example - Pedders want $110 per ball joint (because they're German), I doubt VW Australia are any cheaper various places in the US will sell them for USD$25 each. You'd get two of them shipped here for less than the price of one bought locally.

Rotors for the Mk4 R32 Golf are another golden example. AUD$680 per rotor from VW Australia, or land a pair from the US for less than AUD$400 including all shipping.

I realise there's some justifiable price premium given our geographic separation from the point of origin and relatively size of the market here, but the amount of markep that seems to be the norm here is simply ridiculous at times.

I keep hearing calls that we should support local businesses - but that needs to work both ways, and perhaps some local businesses should also consider supporting the local market rather than trying to rip it off blind...