Why the insane markups of Dash Cams in Oz?

xrailgun on 10/04/2018 - 14:33
Last edited 10/04/2018 - 14:33

Been hunting for a dual-channel for my car, been binging car cam central and blackboxmycar videos and most of them are around USD$130-$200 (maybe ~$300 for the latest revisions and $400 for the greatest with cloud stuff). Didn't seem too bad. The USD$200 ones retail here for over AUD$500 (Blackvue 490/590, and USD$400 ones near AUD$1000 (Thinkware F800pro, non-pro isn't even sold locally)! Those are ~100% markups, after accounting for exchange rates.

I know I can just ship them in from overseas, which I plan to, but what the hell is going on in this industry locally?

Automotive

Comments

  • dcep on 10/04/2018 - 14:42
    +6

    not just dash cams ?

    everything retails for more here

    • xrailgun on 10/04/2018 - 15:18

      Hmm, what else? I think cars themselves are also quite a bit more here than in US, right?

      I noticed that computer parts and smartphones are actually really price-competitive, if you buy during the right eBay sales and claim TRS. I mean, that's situational at best, but the markups are still within region…

  • Hellfire on 10/04/2018 - 15:00
    +3

    There are a lot of overheads and costs involved in reselling products here, especially niche things like dash cams.

    • You won't sell a high volume so there isn't much discount from the wholesaler.
    • As the importer, you are responsible for warranty and ACL. This could add 10-20% to the cost.
    • Any that don't sell are a liability. You can't return them and may need to discount at a loss to sell.
    • Providing support and staff is much more expensive than USA
    • GST is 10% and included in the price. Sales tax is added to the price in USA (if applicable)
    • You actually need to turn a profit. This is either from high volume, low margin or low volume, high margin. Volume is low in Australia so you need to charge more to make money.
    • xrailgun on 10/04/2018 - 15:24

      Very good points….. but shouldn't push the markups to those levels. Especially since there are a few separate retailers here, they probably want to compete against each other (and Amazon US)?

      I suspect there's 1 single importer/distributor that has monopoly in Australia, so all the retailers are stuck with passing on their prices? Do Australia imports work this way? I know this occurs with many computer parts industries in other countries, where prices also approach ~2x of USA prices.

  • Wystri Warrick on 10/04/2018 - 15:13
    +1

    Because layers are afraid, their jobs are in danger. :P.

    • xrailgun on 10/04/2018 - 15:22

      layers?

      • Euphemistic on 13/04/2018 - 09:03
        +1

        yes. the chickens

  • p1 ama on 10/04/2018 - 15:49

    I know I can just ship them in from overseas, which I plan to, but what the hell is going on in this industry locally?

    People are willing to pay more to get things instantly.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2018 - 15:54

    Because Australia

    • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2018 - 17:25
      +1

      Cause local ones come with band 28?

  • SPCTRE on 10/04/2018 - 20:34

    Supply and demand. The branded ones you mention have established themselves as leaders in the market.
    I brought myself a blackvue DR400 which was well priced back then but all the new model are 2x that now.

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