As usual, this topic (and similar ones) can bring out lots of comment...
Like everyone else, I want to get as much "gear for my money" as possible, but we must never loose sight of the impact of our buying gear overseas...While we may save a few bucks as individuals, the run on impact is that it can put retailers out of business and people out of work...
The costs and risks associated with running a retail business are much trickier than we might think...after paying for salaries/wages (a defined minimum), mandatory super, insurance, store space and of course inventory (along with a whole host of other expenses), the "profit" line can get pretty thin...
Additionally the fluctuation of the AUD$ can have a dramatic impact...for instance, the current exchange rate AUD$ to USD$ is now .7961...that is a 10% slide in just a few days...What a drag to be on the wrong side of that move with a container load of telescopes! (As a side note, my "real life" company is just selling the last of some inventory acquired when the exhange rate was .48!!!! (and no we did not have a currency hedge set)...but that is another painful story
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I like to have a local shop/person that I can talk with for advice and/or get after sales service from...if that means I need to pay extra for it so be it.
Lastly, I am certain that different manufactures will sell to different parts of the world at different price levels...don't ever assume that the price our retailers locally are paying for goods is anywhere near that of their US counterparts.
It would not be that unusual for a good bound for Australia to pass though an extra layer or two of "distribution" before it reaches our fair shores. A US manufacture might sell direct to a US retailer...For Australia bound goods it probably goes from the US to a "country distributor" who then takes a cut before selling to retail here...I know of some situations (not necessarily Astro Gear) were the sale goes Manufacture-Overseas Global Regional Distributor-Country Distributor-Regional Australian Distributor-Retailer...each step of the way people trying to take a cut of the profits...
We all have the freedom and the right to vote with our dollars...but before jumping on the bandwagon to accuse local retailers of being profiteers give some thought to all of the things that can impact price...
Clear Skies All!