More price-gouging in NZ

**rustyrobot** · 4th February 2015, 18:57

Originally Posted by Virago

Both key remotes for my BF Falcon died in rapid succession... I thought I'd (rather belatedly) search for other prices. This is what I found ...

I need to replace one too (Toyota) - how do you programme the new remote?

**jasonu** · 4th February 2015, 19:00

Originally Posted by rustyrobot

I need to replace one too (Toyota) - how do you programme the new remote?

Check your owners book. I had to program a chipped security key for my Focus and it was all in the book.
Or you can pay the dealers an hours shop time to do the 5 minute job... now THAT is a gouge!

**Ocean1** · 4th February 2015, 19:20

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Rang Sony NZ and asked how they could justify the mark-up. Predictably, the conversation was marketing-speak but the guts of the reply was “because we can”.

Fuck I'm sick of getting ripped off. Every time I turn around some prick is trying to charge me twice what he should based on a simple cost-to-market price.

Reckon the fix is an approach similar to the no-more-cowboys effort. A web page dedicated to scoring consumer manufacturers NZ pricing and after market service pricing. Y'know, because you can.

How do you go about setting up something like that?

**Blackbird** · 4th February 2015, 19:34

Originally Posted by Ocean1

How do you go about setting up something like that?

I guess you could do it via Blogger as it's free but the IT savvy guys on the forum probably know a better way.

**Virago** · 4th February 2015, 19:43

Originally Posted by rustyrobot

I need to replace one too (Toyota) - how do you programme the new remote?

Every manufacturer is different - a quick google of your model should find it for you. That's what I did for mine - believe it or not it simply required the 'coon demister button to be pressed three times in quick succession to put the car into program mode. I was surprised how easy it was.

**BMWST?** · 4th February 2015, 19:44

Originally Posted by 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.

its not a genuine original ford part...he says so.The ford dealer will be bound to buy parts form FORD...i bet the actual margin over the counter is not what you think it is.They will be getting ripped of by FORD too

**Katman** · 4th February 2015, 20:04

I've heard of people buying motorcycle gear from overseas and then going into a local shop and wanting them to sort out a warranty issue with it.

If that's not taking the piss, I don't know what is.

**Virago** · 4th February 2015, 20:05

Originally Posted by BMWST?

its not a genuine original ford part...he says so.The ford dealer will be bound to buy parts form FORD...i bet the actual margin over the counter is not what you think it is.They will be getting ripped of by FORD too

Yeah, I see that. I don't think he had that disclaimer in the earlier trade I looked at. The remote certainly appears absolutely identical in every regard - buttons, colour, plastic texture, key ring loop.

**Gremlin** · 4th February 2015, 21:19

Originally Posted by Blackbird

I guess you could do it via Blogger as it's free but the IT savvy guys on the forum probably know a better way.

No idea, too busy fixing IT stuff

**bogan** · 4th February 2015, 21:29

Originally Posted by Ocean1

Fuck I'm sick of getting ripped off. Every time I turn around some prick is trying to charge me twice what he should based on a simple cost-to-market price.

Reckon the fix is an approach similar to the no-more-cowboys effort. A web page dedicated to scoring consumer manufacturers NZ pricing and after market service pricing. Y'know, because you can.

How do you go about setting up something like that?

Hit the interwebypipes with a number 7 hammer?

Trade discounts is one of the things that fucks me off. Not the you buy heaps so you can have 20% off sort one; but the cunts that set their base price 5x what they expect to sell at. I've walked in off the street and got 60% off fairly often. Other times, 10% or less. Artificial price fluctuations like a motherfucker.

Got two places I like though as their list prices are both stable and competitive, and their service is excellent:
http://www.bearingandengineering.co.nz
http://www.carbidenz.co.nz/store/index.php

euromarc seem good too for abrasives, but they don't list prices.
Steel, stainless, and ali are all pretty hard to get good rates on small quantities too.

**bogan** · 4th February 2015, 21:31

Originally Posted by Katman

If that's not taking the piss, I don't know what is.

Buying local, having a warranty issue, and getting a one month turnaround because they have to slow boat it overseas anyway

**jasonu** · 5th February 2015, 05:53

Originally Posted by Ocean1

Fuck I'm sick of getting ripped off. Every time I turn around some prick is trying to charge me twice what he should based on a simple cost-to-market

One good reason why I I have no intention or interest in living in NZ again.

**Voltaire** · 5th February 2015, 06:23

Originally Posted by jasonu

One good reason why I I have no intention or interest in living in NZ again.

but...but Al and Petes is still there

I like it, just wish they would throttle the immigration tap back so my kids can one day buy a house.....oh too late.

**Paul in NZ** · 5th February 2015, 07:21

[QUOTE=jasonu;1130826582]

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Look I hear ya... But - its never that simple.

so we get them from Japan or Aussie... The freight etc lifts them into orbit price wise QUOTE]

But freight cost for a remote control from Japan or Aussie to NZ shouldn't be much more than $20. Or is someone adding a 'packing and handling' fee on top of the actual freight cost?

True - but as you infer, that the freight cost is just a small component of the 'cost' to a corporate. The query has to be responded to, payment arranged, processed, order dispatched, item picked in the warehouse and packed and dispatched. That means someone has to fund an IT system, a financial system and pay wages. If you allowed an hour labour you will add say $40, add some more for the infra structure, say $10 and the 'cost' is suddenly $70. Then you need to courier it to the customer so say $85 plus the actual cost of the thing...