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Australian parliament questions Apple and Microsoft on pricing

11 February, 2013 | Read the news | Post your comment
Australian parliament questions Apple and Microsoft on pricing - read the full textIn what seems to be a global first, the Australian Parliament has ordered Apple, Microsoft and Adobe System to appear before it and explain why their products are priced higher, despite the country's strong currency. The global companies will be appearing before the parliament in Canberra on...

 

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Here in Brasil the iphone 4s costs 2000 reais on apple store...that´s 1000 dollars! for the 16gb unlocked iphone...twice the price of the us. apple store...
now explain that!

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  • 2013-02-12 04:56
  • 8TBx

> In reply to fsdrger @ 2013-02-11 21:54 from snQx - click to readSame here in Brazil. iPhone cost around 1200 dollars for the 16GB version

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  • 2013-02-12 04:24
  • 8JSn

> In reply to Anonymous @ 2013-02-11 18:54 from pKVh - click to readI'd love to see you in government, taking bribes from apple.

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  • 2013-02-12 03:59
  • PIdr

> In reply to Anonymous @ 2013-02-11 22:31 from Ms@% - click to readI hope you have the same view for rising gas prices!

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  • 2013-02-12 03:44
  • j@{Z

I think the Ausie parliament wants an iphone for free or maybe half the price. Com'on apple give one of them each.

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  • 2013-02-12 03:25
  • vxrD

in turkey, cheapest possible apple product prices : iphone5-1215 usd , ipad4-685 usd !! this is insane ..i hope turkish parliament follows australians , but i am afraid this will just remain as an hope ..

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  • 2013-02-12 02:56
  • 0I4r

they honestly care for $40 AUD and $20 AUD - It would cost the same to freight them over anyway..

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  • 2013-02-12 02:48
  • MfxX

> In reply to kill-for-exclusivity @ 2013-02-11 23:36 from fCNI - click to readI agree. at least in australia. poor US.

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  • 2013-02-12 02:46
  • v0qJ

Yes we have a high dollar compared to the US. But maybe the government needs to look at the taxes and tariffs charged to import the goods into the country.

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  • 2013-02-12 01:58
  • 2CP0

yeah i agree , apple should lower their prices

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  • 2013-02-12 01:52
  • LD2}

> In reply to Anonymous @ 2013-02-11 22:31 from Ms@% - click to readIt's not just Apple that are being brought foreward, it's also Microsoft and Adobe, and there are also rumours that in the future additional companies will be asked/forced to come foreward too (such as video game manufacturers and software developers - $90 for COD, compared to less than $30 in the USA - either digital or hard copy).

As an example, a digital copy of software from Microsoft and Adobe can be anywhere between an extra $50 and $2000 (in the case of Adobe). Companies cannot use those same excuses where the software is purely digital.

People here in Australia are not happy that they have to pay such a high price, but they still do because there are no other legal alternatives.

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  • 2013-02-12 01:15
  • PP$8

Physical devices are one thing where they can try to argue different shipping costs, local labour costs etc.

Downloaded software is really hard to understand though. Take Adobe Photoshop for example. Its price in the USA is $US699, which is the same as $AU685. But if you buy from the Australian version of the same adobe website the price is $AU1168. Thats 70% higher for a download, where there is no difference in cost to Adobe. There is not explanation for that other than simple profiteering.

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  • 2013-02-12 01:02
  • PN$R

for australia, good move, the us goverment is blind to this icrap phathetic innovation steals, at least + reputation of this australia country

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  • 2013-02-12 01:00
  • P@1G

Its more to do about why Australians have to pay higher for apple products compared to others. They can price it how they seem fit but why more charge different prices for the same product?

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  • 2013-02-12 00:43
  • 3aAw

It's about time. I mean why should we all pay so much for something when it is replaced the following year?
There is not one person in their rite mind that should disagree to this parliament questioning!
They should do it all over the world. Besides there is many people who want these type of techno gadgets but just can't afford it and half just plunge themselves in debt to get it!
Think logic people!!!

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  • 2013-02-12 00:25
  • 3xiT

Its about time someone asked the right questions!!!

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  • 2013-02-12 00:20
  • 7X7f

> In reply to Anonymous @ 2013-02-11 22:31 from Ms@% - click to readI don't know many people buying I phones outright here but the reason most people get I phones is due to the tricky contracts that we have here in Oz, it makes people think that they are getting a $999 phone for free, whilst the phone itself is not even worth $600. Apple have managed to maintain their high price by not offering the device to be sold outright in other retail shops outright, therefore the only way you can own one is to buy it from an apple store for $999 or “free” on a contract, so guess which one most people would go for.

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  • 2013-02-11 23:58
  • UimT
  • kill-for-exclusivity
  • Report
  • Rating1

Faith in humanity has been restored

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  • 2013-02-11 23:36
  • fCNI

Come on, guys... this is what free market means... don't like it, don't buy it ! Anyway Apple & MS s...s

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  • 2013-02-11 23:20
  • spjX

> In reply to MCRL @ 2013-02-11 18:03 from PGfx - click to readWhy should they lower their prices? There are enough people who are willing to pay those high prices.
Besides nobody is forcing you to buy Apple products.

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  • 2013-02-11 22:31
  • Ms@%
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