Is Australian windsurfing ......

OK sorry but I just skipped pages 2 thru 4.....THREE THOUSAND F**KING DOLLARS FOR A BOARD????? Hello??? It better include free Tequila for a year and some kind of guaranteed orgasm-inducing masturbation device. WTF?????

Oh, you said BOATS, I thought you were talking about windsurfing boards, silly me! Still, for 3K I'd expect it to have a cabin and a toilet! Can we negotiate about the butler and chambermaid?



New boards here in Singapore, which isn't too far away (and they are almost always in big sizes - formula and large slalom or freeride) are a litttle over 2k in Sing dollars; that's less if you convert to Aussie $$ ...shipping would certainly add to it if you are paying for one board at a time, but surely they're sent to Oz by container, right????

What is going on here?????

***Late edit*** OK, read the other stuff, still want to know what the fart is going on...

More stores = more compitition = lower prices

I wonder why any of the local suppliers, distributors or manufacturers have not responded to this thread. Surely this can be explained by them.

I doubt that they simply charge $2K for a new board just because they can, there must be more to it.

It could be that they don't want to grow things too big by lowering prices. Lower prices creates demand which in turn also means that operating expenses would increase.

On the other hand if there is a stable demand, irrelevant of the price a store can generate more profit just by raising the prices without impacting operating expenses.

Its not all that colorful going from being a small business to a larger one. There are greater operating risks and overheads that flatten profits, meaning that the benefit is negated.

I would love to know what sort of sales of new gear are done Australia wide. It would go a long way to understanding the price modeling they use here.

CIRCULAR

funny there is more supply here in form of dealers and retailers to windsurfers somewhere around the ratio of 1:12windsurfers and the prices are still pretty low compared to industrialized nations. I guess scale of economies. Ask Wet Willy, Singapore is even 25% more expensive than here. That is because Singapore has a higher gross income per capita than here. So retailers in conjunction with board/sailmakers tend to price basing that way. Over here dealers complain to the companies they get gear from that the price is too high for the average windsurfer they can't get rid of stocks easily and is adjusted accordingly now that is " " 'ed from a dealer. It's good to support your local shop but it doesn't necessarily get the windsurfing discount in motion it fattens the wallet of the shop owner. Does he really get to lower the prices down because he's being frequented all the time-I don't think so! Remember this a typical cost of a sail ave. size 6.5 would cost ex:factory 250-300us$ and a board around 450-600us$. In H.K. a 1,400$ retail board would be 30% less after a year it isn't sold. The dealer is given a free hand to mark up as much as he wants. my opinion only!

Part of the issue is the cost of staffing in this great and wonderful country.

It costs over double to employ someone in Australia than it does to employ someone in the UK.

I have hit this one myself first-hand as I have started employing people and have been horrified by the amount I'm obliged to pay for someone with no skills whatsoever.

I'm sure it doesn't account for the full price rise, but it'll definitely have an impact.

Are we are getting massively ripped off on rice?

Is that short grain, long grain, white, brown, wholemeal, Basmati or low GI? (or extra dollop?)

I'm not sure how this "rice standard" applies...considering Singapore is in SE Asia, where the demand and production are obviously much higher. Probably better to use a measure which applies more fairly to both countries - like a beer standard.

A large (660ml) bottle of the local brew (Tiger) costs about SGD $4.50 (AUD$3.50)in a supermarket. Anchor (from Malaysia) and Chang (Thailand) are cheaper alternatives at about SGD $3.50-$4.00 (AUD$2.75-$3.15) if I'm not mistaken.

How much is a longneck of VB in Oz these days?

^^^ free cos nobody wants it WW

Perhaps there is a relationship between Aussie beer costs and refrigeration costs.... where as Pommy beer isn't chilled, hence cheaper.... and to be honest, I can't say I even like their beer..... Where as the Belgiums, Germans and Italians..... they are onto it. VB is just plain terrible..... F@rk I'm a snobb - I think I need another durry.....

Could be - although its a bit of a local Aussie myth that the beer isn't chilled in the UK. Most of it just isn't chilled to quite the same degree as it is here - consequence of the climate and massive regional varieties in draft beer options between each town and city. Some great British ales aren't chilled of course - straight from the barrel - but that's largely because it barrel ferments and needs to be used within a few days or it goes off. It also has that magical ingredient called 'taste'. New 'Brit' pub has just opened up on Little Collins where you might be pleasantly surprised at the range. I also like Belgian and German beers too - although not sure where you're coming from with Italian....don't think you're a snob - there's a great variety of local Aussie boutique beers now - many of which, ironically, are being brewed in the style of English ales. Shame they only serve light shi%$e at the cricket though. How about a Tassie Moo Brew - my local favourite

I forget..... what were we talking about again......?

I think it was something to do with beer, rice? Maybe fermented grain..... Mmmmmm bloodless..... Drooool