U.S. vs Aussie Apple pricing
I was talking with Adam earlier today, and he said there was apparently some news coverage regarding Apple's fixed-pricing structure, even considering the strong Australian Dollar. I've been attracted to the iPods for a while, so I thought they'd be a good base for me to do some currency tests on. Here's what I found.
The iPod comes in 3 models currently (not including the iPod Mini). They are a 15GB, a 20GB and a 40GB model. Here's a quick pricing table I knocked up to demonstrate the differences in cost.
| US Price | Aus. Price | US to Aus. | % Difference | |
| 15GB | 299.00 | 449.00 | 399.80 | 89% |
| 20GB | 399.00 | 598.00 | 533.52 | 89% |
| 40GB | 499.00 | 799.00 | 667.25 | 83% |
So there we have it... proof that Mark should buy an iPod while he's in the States. For all of us. And the 40GB ones at that.
Edit: 30/3/2004 - 12:27AM
I've found this article from early March which is the foundation for what we were discussing.
Before my trip to Hong Kong at the end of last year, I did a *lot* of research into the pricing of Apple products around the world. Specifically the 40GB iPod.
Using the many global Apple online stores and the Universal Currency Converter as a guide, I found that residents of nearly every country can get Apple products cheaper than us (Australians). As mentioned, the US price was always cheaper, despite our strong dollar (around 0.78 at the time).
The only place that seemed to have a higher price for just about everything was the UK store. But with a 17.5% VAT (their GST equivalent), it’s not difficult to see why. I can’t say I know a great deal about world economics, but for a developed nation with a population base that large, one would assume prices would be slightly lower than a country whose population is at least twice that of our own.
The most frustrating part of viewing prices offered to cusomters in other countries, was the inability to place an order and have it shipped to Australia. Not only does the shipping address need to be in the country of the selected online store, but so too does the address of the credit card holder making the purchase.
Either way, with iPod in hand I’ll be heading back to HK in October. Be sure to drop me a line if you want anything ;)
It’s partly because we have massive import tariffs in Australia, and partly because of the cost of shipping to the most isolated country on the planet.
Example: In 1984, car import tariffs were nearly 60%. Now its around 15% and will drop to 10% in 2006, and then down to 0% in 2010. So we will all be driving European cars in 10 years since they’ll be so cheap :)
Then we can all be bloody Volvo drivers, right?
Big up to the Tan Man - have you seen the house-party countdown? You should so be here mate - we’d love you catch up with ya! Plus, there’s decks if you wanted to spin some tunes (do you still do that?)
Either way, it’ll be wicked to see you.