So, is your business included in our 'Rockstar' economy?

[Indiana_Jones]

I do feel for retailers, but I guess since most Kiwi's get paid shit, they're going to have to make their dollars go further.

I don't even bother looking for car parts locally anymore, after being quoted $175ea for new CV joints (another place quoted $330+gst ea to renew the old ones), I got some through the UK (club) for $50ea.

It's not that I have anything against people/shops trying to make a profit (and of course cover their shipping costs etc), but if they're are asking over 3x the price for the same shit, why would (or should) anyone bother looking/buying locally?

-Indy

[Ocean1]

why would (or should) anyone bother looking/buying locally?

-Indy

Because they don't leave you any choice, try ordering these through the US site:

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/pr...workstation/fs

And you'll find they insist that their kiwi clients pay twice as much:

http://www.dell.com/nz/business/p/pr...workstation/fs

I'm getting fucking sick of subsidising my American competition.

[Ocean1]

Gotta make me wonder, how many businesses are in our so called 'Rockstar' economy....?

Aaaand this looks like the numbers you were after: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/bett...or-NZ-business

[Robert Taylor]

I understand what you're saying, but unfortunately, it's just not the case now - price is king, and there is no loyalty anymore.
I know, because I have different pricing for some items on my website than in-store. Guess which ones sell the most....

As for service, we are constantly advising/helping customers (for sometimes up to 30-45 mins) about products, and then they say thanks... stand beside you, use their smart phones and look for the cheapest price on line. Cheeky cunts.
There is always going to be someone selling your products cheaper. (Not all of your products at one site mind you).
So adaption is almost irrelevant in todays 'I want it as cheap as fuck' world.

The landlords need to 'Adapt' too. There are simply too many stores empty now.

VERY WELL SAID! We are up but in part because we work our asses off. But what really riles me are all the lazy bastards out there with their hand out...

The legal profession is doing well on the back of the revolving door of treaty settlements. Hypocritical money grabbing parasites

[Indiana_Jones]

Because they don't leave you any choice, try ordering these through the US site:

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/pr...workstation/fs

And you'll find they insist that their kiwi clients pay twice as much:

http://www.dell.com/nz/business/p/pr...workstation/fs

I'm getting fucking sick of subsidising my American competition.

That is fucking crazy.

-Indy

[pete376403]

Not just Dell - one of my customers wants an HP Ultrabook (tablet/laptop thing) US price is about $1099 retail, NZ dealer (IngramMicro) price about $3000

[hayd3n]

great , even got a payrise

[Ocean1]

Not just Dell - one of my customers wants an HP Ultrabook (tablet/laptop thing) US price is about $1099 retail, NZ dealer (IngramMicro) price about $3000

Dell aren't the worst by a long chalk, basically any US based IP is between 150% and 250% dearer here. Microsoft CEO got arseholes in Aussie last year because of 60% mark-up there, so did visiting Apple dignitaries.

Don't know what you do about it. Maybe we should take a leaf out of China's book wrt respecting international copyright conventions, but that don't help with hardware.

Fuck 'em all.

[scrivy]

VERY WELL SAID! We are up but in part because we work our asses off.

Yip, know the feeling. Wife works 13-14 hrs everyday - seven days a week - damn near 100hrs a week.
I refuse to do any more than 70 hours a week now. But it keeps creeping up.
My main staff each take home more than me now for doing only 40 hours, and have 4 weeks leave, sick, bereavement, lieu days etc. etc.....
I've had 8 days of 'Leave' in 5 years, while all my friends are going away having fun in the weekends....

It certainly aint a Rockstar economy for me......

Maybe I should go belly up and be a burden on the tax payer....... probably be better off....

[scrivy]

Dell aren't the worst by a long chalk, basically any US based IP is between 150% and 250% dearer here. Microsoft CEO got arseholes in Aussie last year because of 60% mark-up there, so did visiting Apple dignitaries.

Don't know what you do about it. Maybe we should take a leaf out of China's book wrt respecting international copyright conventions, but that don't help with hardware.

Fuck 'em all.

Can't you buy in from the US and use an inverter??

[Ocean1]

Can't you buy in from the US and use an inverter??

Probably. But I don't have time to fuck around, and there would certainly be warrantee issues should it turn to custard.

[scrivy]

Probably. But I don't have time to fuck around, and there would certainly be warrantee issues should it turn to custard.

But at a 1/3rd of the price......

[Ocean1]

But at a 1/3rd of the price......

Yeah I know.

I had several such price gouging experiences the week this came out: http://www.productivity.govt.nz/work...tivity-paradox
...and I wondered how they could have missed how predatory pricing behaviours represent such a huge disadvantage in comparing productivity.

I'd go so far as to say such unfair international marketing strategies probably cost us most of that missing $13k per year.

[Milts]

If you remove the recent fluctuations in milk solid commodity prices, and the government/insurance spend on the Christchurch rebuild, we would still be in a recession.

The 'rockstar' economy is vastly overstated and extremely fragile. Makes the current politicians (whoever the may be) look pretty good though, despite their lack of influence over either of those.

[Robert Taylor]

Yeah I know.

I had several such price gouging experiences the week this came out: http://www.productivity.govt.nz/work...tivity-paradox
...and I wondered how they could have missed how predatory pricing behaviours represent such a huge disadvantage in comparing productivity.

I'd go so far as to say such unfair international marketing strategies probably cost us most of that missing $13k per year.

Its really sad that

1) No political party has the balls to tackle this or the inequities in taxes charged at the border ( commercial importation versus private importation )

2) No political party has the balls to get up and say ''We are going to be colour blind, all race based seats and treaty settlements are henceforth abolished''

Heck Id consider doing the unthinkable and vote Labour if they had such policy and the conviction to implement