Poll: The "Australian" Tax

[I.Muir]

As usual there is probably a few topics along the same lines floating around already
So let me state first, I don't care

Now then
I hear the government itself is investigating why we are getting charged more for the same things over here in Australia, Including software downloaded from the internet. Specifically I see that steam is charging $30 more to buy the very same copy of Dark Souls which is $40 in the USA. Not that ill end up buying it again as I already own it on the xbox but I hear gamers have fixed aspects of the horrible port they handed pc gamers, specifically the resolution. From obviously has no pride in it's work it seems but that's beside the point.

Why do you think we are paying extra for the same stuff other than they can get away with it until now. Maybe that's just it, because they can. My criminal Australian heritage is telling me that I should pirate the game and stab the people I deem responsible in the eye with a fork.

 

[Zhukov]

"A fair go" eh, cobber? Yeah, fair dinkum mate.

*ahem*

Anyway, it's all because the AU dollar used to be a lot weaker not so very long ago. Companies in Europe and the US charged us more because our money was worth less. When the AU dollar got stronger, game companies continued to charge the old prices because... well, why would they not? If people are buying your product for $90, why on earth would you drop it down to $60?

 

[Cazza]

We are charged more because they can get away with it. Yes it costs money to import things. I'm sure the maintenance cost to keep an internet connection from here to the rest of the world isn't $30AUD per game download. Along with all the other things we download.

 

[lunavixen]

I think it sucks, being both Australian and an avid video gamer, i hate it. I can import a game from the UK (which, remember people; will play on an Australian system) cheaper than I can buy it in stores here. The AU dollar has never been particularly weak outside the recession, it's nopw actually on par with the US dollar, and has been for months, and we still pay a lot more for games.

As Yahtzee put it we get a "having the nicest beaches tax"

 

[Smooth Operator]

You know why software/games come at near 2x the price?
Because not too long ago Australia actually had a 100% import tax on those before it was considered standard goods, but after that shops just didn't change the prices... you are willing to pay 2x anyway so why not cash in.

I may not ever like Apple and their fanatic followship but that is one thing they do right, they don't allow region hustling.

 

[chozo_hybrid]

It's the same here in New Zealand mate. We get charged like that for everything too.

 

[I.Muir]

I shall not pay more for games
Go CD KEY HOUSE

 

[karcentric]

Is this really gaming discussion?

 

[karcentric]

Is this really gaming discussion?

they are charged more for videogames, and the OP is asking if them being charged more is fair or not.

So if it is discussing videogames, how is it NOT videogame discussion?

Ehh, fair enough, funnily enough I noticed a lot new releases have been cheaper lately.

 

[octafish]

Consider buying retail. The big retail stores parrallel import games from the UK. Also while Steam is a good place to observe this not all devs/pubs do it. If you really want to weep compare Adobe software prices for the UK US and Australia. Buying OS can save you hundreds of dollars.

 

[NickBrahz]

Cannot remember the last time i bought a game down at my local store (Aussie here obviously) Been importing my games from the UK for years, so instead of paying a ridiculous $80-100 for a new game i generally pay $40-60 for a new game.

 

[Burrito With Legs]

Over the years I've grown to realize that Australia isn't the tropical paradise I have initially imagined it to be.

1. Spiders and other poisonous animals
2. Hotter than Hell
3. Video games cost 200$

 

[NickBrahz]

Over the years I've grown to realize that Australia isn't the tropical paradise I have initially imagined it to be.

1. Spiders and other poisonous animals
2. Hotter than Hell
3. Video games cost 200$

I would hate to shop for games where you do.

 

[spartan231490]

Supply and demand guys, econ 101. Since the physical copies cost more, they can charge you more for the same electronic copies as well. Life isn't fair, get used to it.

 

[Burrito With Legs]

Over the years I've grown to realize that Australia isn't the tropical paradise I have initially imagined it to be.

1. Spiders and other poisonous animals
2. Hotter than Hell
3. Video games cost 200$

I would hate to shop for games where you do.

I don't live in Australia, but I've got a friend from Australia who said a new video game can cost up to that much with tax. Also, minimum wage there is under 8$, which makes it even harder to buy new games.

 

[NickBrahz]

Over the years I've grown to realize that Australia isn't the tropical paradise I have initially imagined it to be.

1. Spiders and other poisonous animals
2. Hotter than Hell
3. Video games cost 200$

I would hate to shop for games where you do.

I don't live in Australia, but I've got a friend from Australia who said a new video game can cost up to that much with tax. Also, minimum wage there is under 8$, which makes it even harder to buy new games.

Well then you have a friend that is way exaggeration because i have never seen a game close to $200, not even a Exclusive limited ultimate collectors edition, was it some sort of old rare game from like a collector store or something, and if your friend is working for $8 and he is not a 15 year old working at maccas or something then he is a fool.

 

[Burrito With Legs]

Over the years I've grown to realize that Australia isn't the tropical paradise I have initially imagined it to be.

1. Spiders and other poisonous animals
2. Hotter than Hell
3. Video games cost 200$

I would hate to shop for games where you do.

I don't live in Australia, but I've got a friend from Australia who said a new video game can cost up to that much with tax. Also, minimum wage there is under 8$, which makes it even harder to buy new games.

Well then you have a friend that is way exaggeration because i have never seen a game close to $200, not even a Exclusive limited ultimate collectors edition, was it some sort of old rare game from like a collector store or something, and if your friend is working for $8 and he is not a 15 year old working at maccas or something then he is a fool.

I did not mean to offend. He said they were new games.

 

[NickBrahz]

Over the years I've grown to realize that Australia isn't the tropical paradise I have initially imagined it to be.

1. Spiders and other poisonous animals
2. Hotter than Hell
3. Video games cost 200$

I would hate to shop for games where you do.

I don't live in Australia, but I've got a friend from Australia who said a new video game can cost up to that much with tax. Also, minimum wage there is under 8$, which makes it even harder to buy new games.

Well then you have a friend that is way exaggeration because i have never seen a game close to $200, not even a Exclusive limited ultimate collectors edition, was it some sort of old rare game from like a collector store or something, and if your friend is working for $8 and he is not a 15 year old working at maccas or something then he is a fool.

I did not mean to offend. He said they were new games.

No offence taken, not sure what would have offended me there, but if its a new game and he is claiming to of paid $200 then he is exaggerating it or he is the biggest drongo(idiot) i have ever heard off, no offence to you (A little to your friend i guess)

 

[I.Muir]

Over the years I've grown to realize that Australia isn't the tropical paradise I have initially imagined it to be.

1. Spiders and other poisonous animals
2. Hotter than Hell
3. Video games cost 200$

I would hate to shop for games where you do.

I don't live in Australia, but I've got a friend from Australia who said a new video game can cost up to that much with tax. Also, minimum wage there is under 8$, which makes it even harder to buy new games.

Well then you have a friend that is way exaggeration because i have never seen a game close to $200, not even a Exclusive limited ultimate collectors edition, was it some sort of old rare game from like a collector store or something, and if your friend is working for $8 and he is not a 15 year old working at maccas or something then he is a fool.

I did not mean to offend. He said they were new games.

No offence taken, not sure what would have offended me there, but if its a new game and he is claiming to of paid $200 then he is exaggerating it or he is the biggest drongo(idiot) i have ever heard off, no offence to you (A little to your friend i guess)

$200 is nearly twice is much what a new game is in actuality
Though they have risen to $110 of late not just $100 like they used to be. $100 is fairly standard for any new game off the shelves in Australia.

Also whilst we have poisonous spiders you can avoid them effectively by;
A: Not sticking your hands where they don't belong
B: Giving boots/ gloves you keep in the shed or outside a good shake before putting them on
C: If you see a spider actually moving towards you, that's a funnel web and it wants to kill you so run the bloody hell away