How can the price difference be justified?

[Kal (Andrew)]

You cannot be held liable for slander of you stick to facts. If there is a published price difference of $1000, and this can be proved by providing direct links to both published prices, then I don't see what the problem is?

If you start making generalised comments which are not substantiated by a fact, then you risk libel and having the thread deleted. Read the IIS policy carefully and you will see that this position is supported.

[DJDD]

hwo about a thread about:

How do some of those big clothing/TV/hardware/toy retailers (take your pick) justify the mark-ups on their clothes/TVs/spanners/Shrek dolls?


or perhaps we should all run around naked (except in winter) as a protest against the mark-ups of clothing retailers?

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by bojan

I think the stores should be named, and notifed (like what Bunnings is doing.. additional 10% off if someone is cheaper then them).

I'll wander a bit off thread here. I've never tried this policy with Bunnings, but did try it with some other place that sells office stuff and has a similar policy. First of all the check out person looked stunned when I tried it--first time it had ever happened to her. She went and asked someone, who came armed with a whole lot of hoops for me to jump through. Since we were talking about a $20 item I decided to forget it. The point is that this policy really costs the store nothing. It creates a nice impression that they have the cheapest prices, but it is up to you to do the legwork. Even if you personally do get your 10% reduction I'll start believing in the tooth fairy if you go back the next day and find the price of the item has been reduced.
Geoff

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by AstroJunk

I buy from Andrews Communications. Their prices are rarely beaten and their service is absoultely top rate in my experience. If they don't stock what you are after, go somewhere else!

Actually, I did get a much lower price on my ZS110 than Andrews was offering at the time, but the reasons were clear. Andrews has a shop, staff and stock. The item was available that day. The place I bought it from was a one-man-move-the-boxes-in-and-out show and I had to wait 2-3 weeks for delivery. A web-only dealer should always be a lot cheaper than someone running a shop.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Why do I read threads like this one...they almost always end in tears or someone leaving the sandbox.

Maybe it is the same compulsion that makes people gawk at roadside accidents that makes me read on.

But to the point of the thread...There is no need to rant ever again on this topic...

Yes, yes, there are differences in distributor prices (sometimes issues of exclusivity) and taxes and transport costs to get them to Australia not to mention the exchange rate of our beloved (And I do love Australia) "banana republic"...However, the true answer to the original post "How can the price be justified" is that someone somewhere is willing to pay that price...and since that is the case, it is the right price...that my friends and dear associates is how the free market works...you don't like the price, don't buy it.

And since I am on my soapbox (and the air is rather thin tonight way up here)...This website which we all so dearly enjoy is not a democracy nor should it be...it is part of Mike's (and maybe Mojo's) house...they built it and allow us to play here...in this instance the "golden rule" shall apply..."He who hath the gold (or in this case the owns the site) makes the rules"...

Now it is clearly time for me to take my "generic prozac" and lie down for a while. Good night all from the frozen North Eastern USA.

Clear Skies All!

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

It's nice to see a friendly forum, and to see the mods allow others to make derogative posts about others. You obviously like that "freedom of speech" don't you, but you don't like users posting negative comments about vendors. It's this level of hypocrisy that sickens me.

Australia has no freedom of speech clauses in its constitution, and despite being a member nation of the United Nations, and supposedly abiding by the United Nation Charter of Human Rights, our politicians still refuse to introduce any such legislation. It's the only good thing that the USA has going for it, although it's heavily abused over there as well.

It's good to see the large numbers of suck ups here, no doubt eager to crawl up the backside of the forum owner. See, I too can make snide remarks. Of course, favouritism will mean that my remarks get removed, whilst other remarks stay online.

Anyways, I'll bid you all farewell. Have fun in your little house of straws.

Dave

[Octane (Humayun)]

Dave,

Mike personally replied to your comments/criticism.

Is it wrong of him to try and save his backside? Would you rather see someone who has done such an amazing job by providing a forum and intellectual resource for the Australian amateur astronomy community get served by the law, or, to put measures in place which allows this community to function and continue to be a wonderful resource for us all?

I am sorry that you've taken other people's comments to heart, but, I think there was a bit of heat under the collar due to your posturing comments about freedom of speech and how the terms of service are set up solely to protect Mike.

If you don't mind doing so, can you explain why people would be "eager to crawl up the backside of the forum owner"? What have they got to get out of it? This is a pretty big claim. Or, doesn't freedom of speech work that way?

Regards,
Humayun

[marki]

This is getting as bad as one of those old westerns, you know the ones I mean, the cowboy gets shot and takes three hours to die. Can one of the moderators lock this thread before it becomes any worse please.

Ciao Mark

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Originally Posted by marki

This is getting as bad as one of those old westerns, you know the ones I mean, the cowboy gets shot and takes three hours to die. Can one of the moderators lock this thread before it becomes any worse please.

Ciao Mark

I'm with Mark, especially since I have contirubted my 2 cents worth ...

[Jen]

:sc rewy:
i am not crawling up anyones butt around here



c'mon guys there is PM or the ignore button ---------->
get out there and get the dust off the scopes