More price-gouging in NZ

[jasonu]

Each person in the chain adds their markup. Being a cannon dealer cost money, being the distributer / approved repairer costs a lot of money.
I have repaired a few cameras mostly not for a job though, my fingers are too fat, but pretty much anything younger than me is mostly units pre assembled and then jammed into a body. Almost all parts post 1990 are intended to be FRU. Full Replacement Units.
Some fancy bits also need reprogramming to accept the new part. Less so post 2000.
Almost all will require some specialist tools unless you have the hands of a surgeon and a fair amount o luck. Bits that snap into joiners that are behind another part to connect a ribbon connector are common as compact is king.
As for the specialist tools for locating these ribbons. Worse than computer tools and model specific.
Training and tools cost a lot to keep current.

All these things add up. I've taken the punt on a few fixes myself. I've done a few for friends. Mostly because of the poor factor.
Done a few at a camera shop I worked at in the 90's.

All were with the expressed: this will either fix it or fuck it completely guarantee.
So far the score is around 20 successes to 1 fail.
Nothing quite like hearing a Nikon fail to start that was starting before but not taking pictures.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Yeah I understand what you are saying but I was referring to a post by PauinNZ (shown below) freighting a TV remote control from Japan or 'Stralia to NZ. No repair or labor fee just freight costs which someone looks to be adding a gouge to.

PaulinNZ post
Despite the apparent gouging you can burn $$ very fast on stuff like that. We supplied TV's and flat panels for yonks and people call up for a remote control. Look we just cant afford to hold spare remotes for every bloody screen (although there are commonalities) as the warehousing costs very quickly add up so we get them from Japan or Aussie... The freight etc lifts them into orbit price wise and the most we would add is 10% but usually just pass them on at cost... Not usually many takers...

[gjm]

There are many cases where careful shopping and buying abroad works out in your favour.

Occasionally, it works out more expensive and the home-sourced kit is cheaper. Can take some digging, but worth it.

Often though, take the purchase price in the US (you're probably paying retail, and the buy price is less than here). Add shipping. Add insurance. It's probably over NZ$400 now, so add the customs fees and duties. The price often works out to be very very close to what you'd pay here, despite all that additional cost in shipping and fees being added. You're paying retail, remember.

This is certainly true of some things I have looked at recently. I'm not saying the local seller has looked at what is possible for the individual and priced accordingly, but.. OK.. Maybe I am saying that.

I've been looking at suspension for the car. Even after shipping from Germany, etc, is factored in, it is at least 40% cheaper to buy from overseas: I can land the kit for around $600 but it'll cost twice that to buy here, and the wait is longer so it's obviously not in stock. Local dealer tells me they can't compete with overseas prices. I'm paying retail overseas (I assume local dealers have a trade agreement) and it's so much cheaper? Perhaps I should sell to the local dealer?

I'll certainly buy locally if I can, and I appreciate the convenience in doing so. But if it's significantly cheaper elsewhere, then my wallet comes first.

[Blackbird]

There are many cases where careful shopping and buying abroad works out in your favour.

I've spent several thousand bucks on overseas purchases in the last 2 years ranging from domestic goods, electronics and clothing through to all sorts of motorcycle stuff. Have made really big savings compared with NZ on stuff that is predominantly either compact or light weight. Failed when it came to getting hold of a pair of Michelin PR4's due to shipping rates and coughed up $750 for the pair at Drury Performance Centre. I might have a way round that next time though

Edit: I should have added that I bought a custom spec Nitron shock through Robert Taylor a short while ago and his mark-up compared with me getting one directly from the UK was very reasonable, especially as he did all the organising. Good for Robert

[jasonu]

Just remembering when there were good burger bars around and now I rarely buy a burger as they are horrible, I should have complained more.

Pretty much everyone rags on McD, BK, Wendys etc, I don't eat that shit, I'll never go back etc yet they are all doing OK...
I think they are all shit too but maybe once every 3 months I'll suffer thru a south western bacon cheese burger from Carls Jr yummy!!!!!
You are right though, the burger bar stuff of days gone by were the best. Mt Eden takeaways used to do a bomber lamb burger and there used to be a place at the top of Parnell in the late 80's that had the best grub in town.

[Voltaire]

Pretty much everyone rags on McD, BK, Wendys etc, I don't eat that shit, I'll never go back etc yet they are all doing OK...
I think they are all shit too but maybe once every 3 months I'll suffer thru a south western bacon cheese burger from Carls Jr yummy!!!!!
You are right though, the burger bar stuff of days gone by were the best. Mt Eden takeaways used to do a bomber lamb burger and there used to be a place at the top of Parnell in the late 80's that had the best grub in town.

Al and Petes it was called, very busy on Friday and Sat nights.

But back to the main story, I just get stuff off the net, bike shops have never been good for the old shitters I ride and I'm not really into the new stuff due to depreciation, locked into dealers spares and service, and inability to go fast on our roads.

[swbarnett]

Al and Petes it was called, very busy on Friday and Sat nights.

It's now called "Penny". Last time I was there nothing much had changed except the name. Still just as good.

[BlackSheepLogic]

Almost all will require some specialist tools unless you have the hands of a surgeon and a fair amount o luck. Bits that snap into joiners that are behind another part to connect a ribbon connector are common as compact is king.
As for the specialist tools for locating these ribbons. Worse than computer tools and model specific.
Training and tools cost a lot to keep current.

I have no comment on the cost of parts, but for me those specialized tools and knowledge was a significant investment. You can buy the parts cheaper off shore, but the parts can be a small cost of the repair. The repair business has to make money somewhere in the deal to stay in business. It may look like 10-15 minutes to rework a board but theres 100K+ sitting on the bench to enable that kind of repairs + people to pay.

[Madness]

Yep, international logistics these days means that you don't have to hold significant inventory.

Good luck with that.

[pete376403]

Macbook Pro 15" LCD - around $800 here, around $US90 + $US25 freight off E-bay - which is probably the same place the local supplier gets it from

[swbarnett]

Macbook Pro 15" LCD - around $800 here, around $US90 + $US25 freight off E-bay - which is probably the same place the local supplier gets it from

Link please...

[Virago]

I've just experienced the ultimate in price gouging.

Both key remotes for my BF Falcon died in rapid succession. I called in at Dunedin City Motors to enquire about a replacement. They were available ex stock - price $193.00. The thing is, that was the price range I was (naively) expecting, so I bought one on the spot.

A couple of days later while aimlessly surfing the 'net, I thought I'd (rather belatedly) search for other prices. This is what I found for the identical article - right here in NZ:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-...-840291572.htm

Lesson learnt the hard way.

[pete376403]

Link please...

Sorry, not off E-bay, I had been searching there, but later came across this site.


http://www.laptopscreen.com/English/...Y~MODEL~A1286/

[Edbear]

I've just experienced the ultimate in price gouging.

Both key remotes for my BF Falcon died in rapid succession. I called in at Dunedin City Motors to enquire about a replacement. They were available ex stock - price $193.00. The thing is, that was the price range I was (naively) expecting, so I bought one on the spot.

A couple of days later while aimlessly surfing the 'net, I thought I'd (rather belatedly) search for other prices. This is what I found for the identical article - right here in NZ:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-...-840291572.htm

Lesson learnt the hard way.

Chinese copies of course. They may be fine for a while but you're taking a gamble.

I had the windscreen replaced in the Kizashi due to an irreparable chip. Smith and Smith fitted an aftermarket screen, (unbeknownst to me), made in Australia but they couldn't get the rain sensor to work properly and after three goes to fix it, including replacing the sensor, they replaced the screen again but with a genuine Suzuki screen. No problems and everything worked perfectly as soon as it was hooked up.

My local panelbeater said they always try the cheaper screens first and usually the car owner is no wiser but he pointed out some common flaws with the aftermarket screens that make me certain to insist on genuine if I ever have to replace another one.

[bogan]

I've just experienced the ultimate in price gouging.

Both key remotes for my BF Falcon died in rapid succession. I called in at Dunedin City Motors to enquire about a replacement. They were available ex stock - price $193.00. The thing is, that was the price range I was (naively) expecting, so I bought one on the spot.

A couple of days later while aimlessly surfing the 'net, I thought I'd (rather belatedly) search for other prices. This is what I found for the identical article - right here in NZ:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-...-840291572.htm

Lesson learnt the hard way.

Fuck mate, get good. Even that TM bloke is gouging when you look at this link.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Remot...244932878.html

[jasonu]

I've just experienced the ultimate in price gouging.

Both key remotes for my BF Falcon died in rapid succession. I called in at Dunedin City Motors to enquire about a replacement. They were available ex stock - price $193.00. The thing is, that was the price range I was (naively) expecting, so I bought one on the spot.

A couple of days later while aimlessly surfing the 'net, I thought I'd (rather belatedly) search for other prices. This is what I found for the identical article - right here in NZ:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-...-840291572.htm

Lesson learnt the hard way.

Except you got a genuine remote fob and the ones on tardme are knock offs which might or might not work, might or might not keep working. A friend of mine had to pay $400 for a genuine Honda remote fob.