Set-Top Box - Government is paying $698???

engineeringprof on 15/02/2012 - 14:12
Last edited 15/02/2012 - 14:15

Was reading this story this morning:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/as-seen-on-…

Commented on a bargain, but then I thought this is actually worth of a thread.

I'm curious as to how a set-top box can cost more than a 50 inch TV which has the set-top box built in?
Or alternately, I could buy at least 10 set-top boxes installed for the price?

As an ozbargainer - I hate to see my taxpayer dollars go to waste.
Thoughts anyone? Maybe we should give the government some advice on bargains.
Surely they can get a discount for "bulk purchases"

Here's the $19 Set-top box from Kmart - SAVE $669 dollars.
http://shop.kmart.com.au/product/standard-definition-set-top…

+1 to The Australian for pointing out this bargain to the Gillard/Conroy lol.

General Discussion

Comments

  • ShortyX on 15/02/2012 - 15:27

    Even though the initial estimate was $350, I guess it was almost acceptable as you'd have to add in the cost of organising the scheme. But closer to $700 is unbelievable.

    • kwaker on 17/02/2012 - 15:15

      becauseits not just a set top box but its for pensioners only and . they get installation and delivery the man comes to your house and installs it and can also fiddle around with your external antenna so you need to factor in those, its not a cheap $20 box either.

  • _Bruce_ on 15/02/2012 - 15:28
    +5

    Because anyone who is approached by the government for goods/services charges really huge mark ups. This problem exists for everything the government does.

    • ShortyX on 15/02/2012 - 15:29

      Good point.

  • stanas on 15/02/2012 - 15:33
    +2

    Because anyone who is approached by the government for goods/services charges really huge mark ups.

    100% correct, nothing to do with labour or liberal.

  • tonyjzx on 15/02/2012 - 15:35

    i cannot understand why they just don't tender this one out for 22-32" TVs from Kogan or some shit

    sure you might not like Ruslan but you can bet he'll get it under budget… $250 32" sets for everyone!

    • andy19363 on 15/02/2012 - 15:50

      They'll still have to be delivered and set up…. and a sizeable portion of the oldies won't want to change their tv and re-learn what buttons to press on the remote…..

      • tonyjzx on 16/02/2012 - 16:51

        i can't think of many people who would keep a 51cm Crt if given a 32" lcd

  • Jabba the Hutt on 15/02/2012 - 15:51
    +1

    Here's the $19 Set-top box from Kmart - SAVE $669 dollars.

    It's a disingenuous comparison, because the $19 doesn't include the cost of home delivery and setup, and the cost of installing new antennas and cabling where required, which are included in the government scheme.

    It would be interesting to see an itemised breakdown of the scheme's actual/estimated costs as a basis for comparison, but don't spout this $700 vs $20 rubbish.

    • ESEMCE on 15/02/2012 - 16:28

      Agreed. The article is a beatup by sh!tty "journalists".
      Gotta wonder why it took 2 "journos" to write the story?
      One to hold the phone and dictate while the other typed out the "article" written by the Liberal lackey at the other end of the line perhaps?

      The money is there if required but feel free to save us all $1400 by helping your grandparents (both sides of the family) set up a set-top box or upgrade their telly.

      • Cobalt_ on 16/02/2012 - 17:57
        +1

        $200 to supply and install a digital TV antenna and lets say $100 for an upmarket set top box. Should be $300 at most (lets not even factor in a volume discount). I fail to see how anyone can justify $700 for an antenna and setbox installation

    • altomic on 15/02/2012 - 22:50
      +1

      i'll happily install $19 set top boxes at $50 a pop.

    • tonyjzx on 16/02/2012 - 16:53
      +2

      surely you must agree that $700 seems a tad over the top?

    • kwaker on 17/02/2012 - 15:17

      thats not high def is it?

  • Geewhizz on 15/02/2012 - 17:07
    +1

    There's also apparently 12 months follow-up service included in that price. I'm sure for those who needed a simple install but could not do it themselves (and had no rellies or whatever who could do it for them) that Rotary or one of the other organisations would have appreciated a donation to their coffers for sending someone around for the 15 seconds it would have taken to do it.

  • Cheeper on 17/02/2012 - 00:26

    How many would not have access to DTV now??

    STB + Install + Service for 12 mths… = $$$

    Dont forget granny calling up wanting service because she does not like the programs?? :-(

  • Davo1111 on 19/02/2012 - 02:21

    It's rediculous imo. I can't believe we couldn't just pay some uni students to go around and install 20" LCDs in old peoples homes, then just drag the TVs out to the side of the road for council cleanup/to be recycled

  • dfaworker on 19/02/2012 - 04:26

    I agree it's money wasted.

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