laurie said...Just a reminder, that in most instances this kind of topic has been locked/deleted because it's historically gone downhill.
I know there are guys out there who are chasing saving $. I'm one of them, as I'm still flying 2008 kites, but I will always shop locally.
My dollar stays here and supports our local economy. I come from a country town, and I know that when the locals spend outside the town, the town suffers. Australia is just the same .. just on a bigger scale.
With that in mind, can I please can I ask one favour?
Would you mind, as a bit of courtesy to the supporters of this site, that you refrain from promoting links to overseas sites, and show your support for local industry.
If you're not happy with your local, certainly find a new one, but one of the reasons these topics have failed in the past is that "shop haters" find this topic an excellent platform to bag out there local dislike.
Please, support your local shop, if you can. We're all in this together.
I don't actually believe this is a shop problem, it's the importers who bring the gear into Australia that have the upper hand. They set the wholesale price to the retailers and the retailers have to mark up by X% to make a profit, it's as simple as that.
When the AUD goes up, the cost saving is not handed on by the wholesaler. Conversely, when the AUD goes DOWN, the price increase is immediately handed on to the retailer.
But blind support for local business is also bad for the customer. If you vote with you wallet, the retailers will have to put pressure on the wholesaler to lower their prices in order for the retailer to maintain a profitable margin.
There are so many things that are crazily cheaper in the US than they are here, even big ticket items like some European cars are twice the price they are in the States. And you can't say all of the difference is the cost of shipping, they still have to be shipped to the US from Europe. Even the volume of sales argument doesn't hold much water for kites, its a niche product, even in the States.
Also, you have to remember that most of the increase in the AUD value is due to a DROP in the value of the USD - if you look at our value against Pound Sterling and the Euro, these have stayed pretty constant in recent months. So, while retailers are clearing out their currently held stock in the US, things will seem cheap. Once inflation hits the States, things will seem less cheap.
And this probably the most contentious thing I am going to say - local kiteshops are likely to go into decline, as the market consolidates - those that can and are willing to provide a genuinely unique and excellent service will survive, whilst those that don't will go under - its the nature of business and we shouldn't be moaning about it. Look at the PC industry - 15 years ago there used to be local shops everywhere but now the market has changed and consolidated. You just have to look at St Kilda Beach - There are 3 (4?) schools running there all selling gear - plus SHQ down in Sandringham - they can't all survive and I have my suspicions on who will fold first. (I also have my suspicion on who will be the most successful, based on the range of services they are starting to provide)
The great thing about the internet is that you can do a ton of research without leaving home, and get hold of products that used to require a day (week) trip somewhere to purchase, without leaving your loungeroom!
I'm going to say something else contentious... But if you spend money on a brand of kite that you know and trust - these days what is the likelihood of it being absolutely terrible? I would say - not very - I would be happy to go drop money on a new Naish kite and be confident it would service my needs, especially with a little research. So if I could save $500 off one because of a better exchange rate then I would go for it.
Competition is a good thing - loyalty is good too - but blind loyalty is the worst thing! It keeps uncompetitive businesses alive and hurts your wallet!
