You can buy the new Synology DS220+ from Amazon.com for $299 USD, which is the MSRP.
Add 10% GST, $330 USD, that works out to be A$474 AUD.
What is the cheapest price for a Synology DS220+ here? A$593!
Keep in mind that in the USA, they have 15-20% tariffs on goods made from China. We don't have this these tariffs…
Why is our pricing so out of whack? Is there a reason?
The older synologys were never this crazy even upon release.
Ordering from Amazon US says delivery between July 28 - August 8. Then you have to add in an unknown amount of time to get it from the US to Australia, unless you pay some extravagant price to FedEx or the like (sending via the post office generally would get to you in 2-3 weeks, but with Covid it's taking between one and many months, assuming the package isn't just outright sent back or lost).
Basically I'm saying that actually having something in stock locally that will get to you in a reasonable time can be worth quite a premium right now.
Its because they can and most Australians are more gullible.
Extreme example would be Adobe where buying a copy of Adobe’s Creative Suite Master Collection in Australia would cost more than flying to the US, buying it there, and flying home.
Spotify & Youtube subscription is another example - albeit not as extreme.
Transport costs, not only do they transport it to australia, but then they transport it to you locally.
Also these are made in Taiwan so tariffs are not applicable in USA
This is the well-known "Australia Tax". It is a microeconomic policy to charge more in markets where the median customer has greater disposable wealth.
thinking of getting a DS220+ - any alternatives with same/similar specs?
Could be increased prices from the official distributor themselves. Could be it's not officially for release here yet so grey market distribution and increased shipping/warehouse/logistics costs. Could be demand/supply factors in Australia. Could be due to current global climate. Could be factoring in ACL warranty cost risk. Could just be price gouging because there isn't much choice to get one here. Could be mixture of above and more.