Plummet said..
Sometimes I shudder at your input kite power. . .
You have just called anyone who has purchased something on the Internet self absorbed. By your own admission you buy non kite related goods from overseas.... what is the difference to the economy? Are you calling yourself self absorbed?
My name is Steve McCormack, I'm a real person, trying to make a living doing what I love to do, kite and help other people kite. I did not make that statement you smugly and arrogantly accuse me of. I referred to the IDEA, that buying overseas is a not a good practice. I clearly showed using Tarzan's example that it makes very little difference to the actual cost per session. However, it makes a huge difference to our economy and society to have the funds lost completely to an overseas sale.
Plummet said..
That's not the way to win back the business lost to overseas companies.
Pompous statement, no practical solution offered, and no doubt made by an armchair expert, with no real life experience building and running a small retail business.
Plummet said..
Everyone's situation is different and many struggle to fund their passion for a variety of reasons. Searching for a deal is sometimes the only method available to get the equipment desired.
That deal could be buying from overseas , second hand, ex demo or run out specials, building a relationship with a shop to get a discount.
Totally understand that, while I cannot always find a deal to suit everyone's budget, I'm certain that everyone's budget and needs can be easily met within the Australian market, by retailers and the seabreeze classifiends, etc. We will always do a deal and seek out the best deals from suppliers to suit all budgets.
Everything I've acquired in my life I got by working, grew up in a family of 8 kids, mum had polio could not work or walk properly, one income, everything was a hand me down or used. Started work when I was 12 doing paper rounds and selling hot dogs and pies at the footy, so I really do understand what it means to be poor! (my partner also came from a family of 8 kids, small farm raising sheep)
Plummet said..
Whose is to blame for the sale lost to an overseas company? Is it the customer as you proclaim? Or is the importer setting the price point too high? Is it the retail outlet missing the buying signals of the customer?
The biggest loser here is our economy, New Zealand faces the same issue. The issue is about people supporting their countrys economy, understanding that the profit on a deal stays here and is spent here with a supplier of something else, or is paid as wages to an employee, here, get it? Competing on a global scale (and just competing economically in general) is a lose/lose game perpetuated upon us by the mega wealthy families that really control the global economy, but I digress.
Plummet said..
I am 100% sure that all people that have purchased products from overseas have first tried to purchase them locally before looking for an overseas option.
You are a self absorbed idiot if you believe your own BS. 100% sure PFFTTT!
Plummet said..
So local companies have been given the opportunity to sell but they have lost that opportunity. They have not shown added value to offset the price difference. That is a failing of the seller/and importer setting the price point . Not the buyer.
For the record I don't buy my kite gear from overseas.
Strangely again, you argue its all about the price point, when the price point by your own admission is arbitrary and negotiable. You've read all this in books or something haven't you?
I'm arguing about educating buyers, asking them to look beyond the price they see on their computer screen, pleading with them to go and talk to a local dealer. You clearly just have a knock down that tall poppy mindset.
Sometimes we have to buy off the internet, products are just not available locally. Sometimes it is about price and economies of scale, there are thousands of examples where a product is sold overseas at retail via the internet at prices below what an importer here pays, so its a no brainer to source that sort of thing from the internet.
The only photographic gear I've purchased overseas was when I was travelling, or when I was unable to source the item locally. Even as recent as last month after waiting more than 4 months trying to get a particular item I found a good used one on a US website and purchased it. When it arrived it was not in the condition described, was actually faulty and had to be returned. I was refunded all of the cost including shipping, but am still trying to get the GST back. Of course finally, the local supplier called and said he had one, we had a good laugh about my experience, but he gave me a good deal, apologised for the delay, gave me a free high quality filter, and I'll continue to shop with Georges in Sydney. The difference is not worth the hassle, and at least I know that the profit that Georges do make stays here in Australia and oils the gears of the economy of the country I live in!
Red thumb away!
, but I generally run 3-4 kites, 3 TT's and a kite-SB, so not bad considering.
