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Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

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  • #31
    Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

    Interestingly enough C-tick Australia testing is actually a SUBSET of the CE approval ( we only test for emmissions, europe also includes immunity) : if a product with [legitimate] CE approval was rated to 240VAC and imported to Oz it would pass C-tick and Australian standards easily . But for C-tick approval you should re-test locally. a simple emmissions test still costs between $600 & $2000.

    The vast majority of Australian standards are directly lifted from IEC standards anyway. Run by a bunch of overpaid Belgium and french dudes.

    The main exception are our unique 3 pin plugs

    Originally posted by 372F2E2B34242F2B470 link=1326694090/0#0 date=1326694090
    Why not adopt CE standard and share the efficiencies of a market thats 20 times the size of ours? Why insist on these silly flat-pinned power plugs, in every respect inferior to the round-pinned Euro plug design? Why force manufactures to run the gauntlet of standards testing for a market that supports 100 maybe 1000 units of a product?

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    • #32
      Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

      Originally posted by 7D50445659585F56704577504554310 link=1326694090/28#28 date=1326772331
      You know nothing, When he opened, He was the only one in the area, He grew his business up from a small hole in the wall to something interesting, The market changed, He changed with it, but he still offered the traditional items. But then a large chain store come into the same area he worked, and he suddenly found the majority of his customers going to the chain store because their main range products were cheaper.

      Witness the business being shut down, and the boutique traditional items no longer being available because the chain store did not wish to stock them.

      Your "he shouldnt have opened" shows a remarkable short-sightedness. He was operating at a profit until an outsider pushed into his market and undercut his prices.
      Is this not the same thing that Coles and Woolworths did? How many bakeries, fruit n veg stores, butchers and continental delis did they force out of business? They adopted the same products, undercut the prices, forced the small retailer out of business, and gained market share. Eventually those gourmet products originally sold by the specialty stores have all been deleted from their range. Now the range offered is pathetic, and consists of high profit items - great for shareholders, not customers.
      In essence a retail ploy very common in Europe by a particular group of people, self funded by their own community,,, but that is another contentious topic. Lets not go there.

      In Adelaide, the Central Market Traders have successfully competed with the majors, and prospered. Yes it can be done, but a thorough understanding of the market, the customers, and their needs is required.
      Retail is tough, and you have to stay one step ahead of your competitors, as they are definitely watching you.

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

        Originally posted by 383F2A25284B0 link=1326694090/17#17 date=1326765981
        the only business that grey imports hurt is the import and retail of imported machines.
        Not true, where do you think the money that schools are funded comes from? That retailer you bypassed would have passed on the tax collected from the sale of that coffee machine to the government, the government then would have spent a portion of it on providing a school for your children to go to and the road for you to drive on, and the hospital for you to go to when sick. The grey import you purchased has done none of that, it wasnt just the retailer that missed out, it was the entire community.

        Originally posted by 182A253F2A273E264B0 link=1326694090/20#20 date=1326767943
        in the case of clothing the size range is better as well as price and quality being superior, I know my size so no problem there.
        How do you know your size? do you go to a shop and try it on, and then buy online?
        I couldnt buy online unless I did that because when I go and try clothes on the sizes arent comparable. I recently bought shirt in a medium and another in XXL and the XXL was the smaller shirt :
        Ive got pants with a 36 inch waist that I can slide over my hips without undoing and in the same brand I have 36s that I can wear without a belt :

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        • #34
          Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

          Originally posted by 3F392E253F3820224B0 link=1326694090/32#32 date=1326781778
          How do you know your size? do you go to a shop and try it on, and then buy online?
          I couldnt buy online unless I did that because when I go and try clothes on the sizes arent comparable. I recently bought shirt in a medium and another in XXL and the XXL was the smaller shirt Roll Eyes
          Ive got pants with a 36 inch waist that I can slide over my hips without undoing and in the same brand I have 36s that I can wear without a belt Roll Eyes
          Guess thats what you get when you buy in Australia : Are you suggesting Im being economical with the truth? if so an apology is in order, I have no reason to lie about something as trivial as this. >

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

            Originally posted by 6365727963647C7E170 link=1326694090/32#32 date=1326781778
            Not true, where do you think the money that schools are funded comes from? That retailer you bypassed would have passed on the tax collected from the sale of that coffee machine to the government, the government then would have spent a portion of it on providing a school for your children to go to and the road for you to drive on, and the hospital for you to go to when sick. The grey import you purchased has done none of that, it wasnt just the retailer that missed out, it was the entire community.
            My kids go to a private school, and the fees I pay are higher than what the govt contributes. I do understand our taxation system and the hype associated with it. I also understand how much tax revenue is wasted, so please do not lecture me or anyone else on this topic, or the criteria you mentioned. As to road funding, do some research and see where the money is supposed to come from. Remember we pay 38 odd cents in every litre of fuel to "fund" roads.
            I did not say I made any grey imports, so do not misquote me. The entire community does not always miss out on grey imports. Anything over $1000 attracts gst, remember, it is a consumption tax. Import duties and costs also apply. Go join the ranks of HN, he complains about this issue non stop.
            If you are going to pull out the violin and whinge about lost revenue, why dont you also complain about the cash economy, the taxes big business avoids, whinge, whinge, whinge.......

            And as one person already said:

            Originally posted by 1E3F343433295A0 link=1326694090/29#29 date=1326774124
            Seriously, if you dont like the conditions here in Australia then either do something positive to make things better, or get out.
            I am sure the govt is well aware of "grey" imports, and their impact. No one is forcing you to buy a grey import, as it is your money and you can do what you want with it. If grey imports are such a threat to our way of life, then maybe the way we do business here needs to change. Look at the big picture [globally], and do not reiterate things the trade unions have been saying for years. Look at the result of our car industry and outdated draconian "protection" methods.

            We are heavily taxed as a nation, so the issue is efficient use of the taxes raised, not miniscule loss of revenue. And remember, the raw materials to make that "grey" import had to come from somewhere.....

            Comment


            • #36
              Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

              Originally posted by 1F2D22382D2039214C0 link=1326694090/33#33 date=1326783039
              Guess thats what you get when you buy in Australia Roll Eyes Are you suggesting Im being economical with the truth? if so an apology is in order, I have no reason to lie about something as trivial as this. Angry

              ;D Just answer the question. How do you get your size right?

              Comment


              • #37
                Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

                This thread and forum would be far better served if each poster did some research first. The number of things being stated without reference is amazing now we are out of anecdotal territory and have reached the stage where opinions are being presented as fact.

                Bosco - most private school use their fees to cover the extras not the fundamentals- for instance check out who pays the teachers salaries. Dont discount the fed govt contributions to your kids education. Ask the bursar how long theyd survive without the many many forms of govt financial support. Salaries, building funds, technology grants, sporting grants, transport grants. Many of which are only available to independent schools.

                Comment


                • #38
                  Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

                  Originally posted by 3334212E23400 link=1326694090/34#34 date=1326784236
                  blah blah blah
                  ;D all I did was correct you when you said that only the retailer gets hurt, imagine if I corrected you on something important

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

                    Originally posted by 5056414A50574F4D240 link=1326694090/37#37 date=1326787074
                    Bosco Lever wrote Today at 18:10:36:
                    blah blah blah


                    all I did was correct you when you said that only the retailer gets hurt, imagine if I corrected you on something important
                    Glad to see were having a mature discussion!

                    Originally posted by 71505B5B5C46350 link=1326694090/29#29 date=1326774124
                    If you had an iota of empathy you might not have written that.
                    With all due respect, $80K damage, recovered from the insurance, doesnt seem all too heartbreaking to me. Im sure at the time it was a hard hit for you personally, and Im happy that youve sorted it out. But if you bring that example to the table, you must accept a response. My comment was obviously tongue in cheek, and I cant see where I would have crossed any line to hurt your feelings.

                    Originally posted by 71505B5B5C46350 link=1326694090/29#29 date=1326774124
                    Seriously, if you dont like the conditions here in Australia then either do something positive to make things better, or get out.
                    The almost uncomfortable caveat "or do something positive" is drowned out by "get out". How about posting a controversial topic on a forum and starting a discussion about a topic that obviously is on peoples minds? I would say thats more positive than "get out".

                    Anyway, "get out" is just sad

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

                      I like to eyeball and try most major purchases before I buy. And I will respect a business that can give me this service - while I think that I am fortunate enough that I can afford to pay a reasonable premium and am willing to do so. Unfortunately for people like myself who see value in being able to physically appraise good its becoming harder to do. Some Sydney camera stores are now charging a fee for sales service:

                      http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/cameras/sydney-camera-shoppers-charged-30-explanation-fee-20111130-1o5lu.html

                      Also as some of the site sponsors can probably attest to  its just not just grey imports thats squeezing the market.

                      Up until a few years ago we had two pretty good camera stores in the regional town I live in but with the arrival of the big electrical stores and heavy discounting both have now shut down. Its rather ironic now that these big retailers are now either sooking, going bankrupt or having to reassess their strategies to compete on a global scale.

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

                        Its a changing world, and there is a lot of resistance to that change.

                        People should not be surprised at the passionate responses they get on this site, despite appearances its not a public forum in the usual sense of the term, its a commercial site run and operated by commercial coffee businesses so they are going to be a little touchy on the subject of grey imports and direct imports.

                        The reality is that we are in a period of massive change in peoples buying habits and as businesses we will either wither and die or adapt. The big businesses like the movie and music industries were the first to completely misjudge the changing world and try to hang on to outdated models of finance and business, they may well die as a result. The world is passing them by because they failed to grasp the opportunities of online delivery of content and accept that their historical price gouging and profiteering could not continue.

                        One thing I have noticed in my line of business, (IT) is that customers in my town will buy anything online for under about $1000, but over and above that amount they generally prefer to deal with a bricks and mortar business. As a result I dont even try to sell into the sub $1000 market.

                        Coffee hardware is a bit different to a lot of other gear due to the voltage/electrical issues, interestingly its not relevant with IT gear because these days 99% is designed to work with all available voltages, its just the duckhead plug that needs to be changed.

                        I know I buy most things from whatever source I can get the best price, I will take my chance on having to ship back to country of origin for warranty, I have never had to do it and would be tens of thousands of dollars ahead in savings over the years. Just bought a new chartplotter from the US for my boat, half the cost of the equivalent here, arrived in 5 days - would have taken longer from Sydney!

                        In the case of my coffee hardware, well given the electrical issues and the need for calibration for Australian conditions as well the expertise of a local dealer like Talk Coffee, it was never really a viable option to import something as large and expensive as an Izzo Pompeii.

                        I suspect we have only just begun to see the changes which will sweep traditional retailing in this country, a lot of it will be to the detriment of bricks and mortar shops, but other opportunities will open up for adaptive business people.

                        Imagine 10 years ago considering running a successful business selling green and brown beans online, one that I suspect has a very healthy turnover! You would have been dismissed as mad.

                        Anyway thats my ramble for tonite!

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

                          Originally posted by 4D5D4A5B5B5D4A4E4D562F0 link=1326694090/27#27 date=1326772236
                          so greg are you aware of any insurance claims where the householder has been knocked back on a claim due to their resposnsibility?  im thinking electrical rewiring or other dodgy repairs,  often wondered how the DIY renovators is liable......
                          Yup.

                          A smart DIY renovator gets a licensed professional to sign off on the job--especially electrical and plumbing. Ive done that myself.

                          Greg

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

                            Originally posted by 0C392E2C1C2439262A272F4B0 link=1326694090/41#41 date=1326843378
                            A smart DIY renovator gets a licensed professional to sign off on the job

                            However a smart licensed professional should never sign off on a DIY renovators work! ;D

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

                              On the point of the "silly flat-pinned power plugs", the rest of the world should adopt them, by the logic of the OP, seeing as China uses them and they are the biggest market in the world.

                              Just saying.

                              Comment


                              • #45
                                Re: Whats the deal with shunning grey imports? A rant.

                                Originally posted by 7D62607A63766160770F0 link=1326694090/43#43 date=1326877813
                                On the point of the "silly flat-pinned power plugs", the rest of the world should adopt them, by the logic of the OP, seeing as China uses them and they are the biggest market in the world.

                                Just saying.
                                And... having lived in Europe for 9.5 years I can say the round Euro design is highly flawed! Seldom properly grounded and they tend to fall out of the recepticles under the slightest provocation... at least ours are safe and fit snuggly :P

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