The Australian dollar and how we're getting ripped off. - General

Most Australis must have seen that lately the Aussie dollar is almost matching the American dollar in currency. 1 U.S. dollar = 1.0119409 Australian dollars But what I'd like to discuss is why we have to pay for things so much more in Australia. [img]http://slightlycreaky.com/img/dollar1.jpg[/img] Compared to. [img]http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/10/07/alg_australian-gold-coins.jpg[/img] I'd like to get some feedback on this, because we DO pay alot extra when it is unneeded. Take a look at the game stores for example. In America you pay rougly $60 for a game, yet all the games in Australia go between $100 - $120 which is a total rip off. Even when the game is 1 year old, the price will not drop below $90. We're paying $40+ extra on games constantly along with other shit. It's total bullshit and we're getting ripped off hugely. Even when the Aussie dollar is lower, we're still paying more. tl;dr Australia is shit

It's because you have to import everything...

[QUOTE=Pred4tor;25471107]It's because you have to import everything...[/QUOTE] Are you that one mod... Also he's right

[QUOTE=Pred4tor;25471107]It's because you have to import everything...[/QUOTE] Not necessarily. I've heard that even online, STEAM Games are more expensive in Australia. Why? I'm not quite sure. It's definitely an interesting subject, and anyone who can provide citations with actual verified information on why games cost more over there, please enlighten us.

Silly Island.

This is why you should of stayed apart of the British empire and kept the Pound.

That sucks guys.. You guys can all come to my house and play some games with me :buddy:

[QUOTE=Nightsure;25471181]This is why you should of stayed apart of the British empire and kept the Pound.[/QUOTE] stuff would still need to be imported

How much is the cost of living?

[QUOTE=R3mix;25471141]Not necessarily. I've heard that even online, STEAM Games are more expensive in Australia. Why? I'm not quite sure. It's definitely an interesting subject, and anyone who can provide citations with actual verified information on why games cost more over there, please enlighten us.[/QUOTE] That particular instance is because it's supposed to match retail prices in your local area

At those prices, I would cry.

[QUOTE=Xolo;25471221]That particular instance is because it's supposed to match retail prices in your local area[/QUOTE] You understand the OP just explained that the value of an American Dollar is practically Equivalent to that of an Australian Dollar? That doesn't explain it.

[QUOTE=DOG-GY;25471215]How much is the cost of living?[/QUOTE] The cost of living at the moment is very high. Coincidentally they were talking about how much trouble familys were having with the cost of living on the morning show here.

holy fucking shit, 100$ for a game? Games on steam are like 50 eur for me which is 70 american dollars, but 100 dollars is just way too much. Do you even buy games there

[QUOTE=mr apple;25471269]The cost of living at the moment is very high. Coincidentally they were talking about how much trouble familys were having with the cost of living on the morning show here.[/QUOTE] What's the unemployment rate in Australia these days? And prices of houses?

[QUOTE=R3mix;25471141]Not necessarily. I've heard that even online, STEAM Games are more expensive in Australia. Why? I'm not quite sure. It's definitely an interesting subject, and anyone who can provide citations with actual verified information on why games cost more over there, please enlighten us.[/QUOTE] Because why should steam undercut and miss out on a bunch of profit? They are a business after all.

[QUOTE=Tealeaf;25471349]Because why should steam undercut and miss out on a bunch of profit? They are a business after all.[/QUOTE] Again. Currency is almost equivalent, please read the OP. It's online business, it should really be the same. And I doubt that is the reason.

[QUOTE=R3mix;25471333]What's the unemployment rate in Australia these days? And prices of houses?[/QUOTE] No idea atm, houses are always really high priced here. (You guys have moderate prices for 2 story houses where a 2 storyhouse in Aus usually goes for $1,000,000+

[QUOTE=mr apple;25471449]No idea atm, houses are always really high priced here. (You guys have moderate prices for 2 story houses where a 2 storyhouse in Aus usually goes for $1,000,000+[/QUOTE] That's pretty insane. Hasn't anyone started questioning the prices and stuff? Complaining to the government? Isn't there some politician with an explanation?

Theres complaints about the Housing market and unemployment rates, but nothing about the actual prices between the currencys. [editline]17th October 2010[/editline] Frankly, the government won't care unless it's money for them.

[QUOTE=mr apple;25471757]Theres complaints about the Housing market and unemployment rates, but nothing about the actual prices between the currencys. [editline]17th October 2010[/editline] Frankly, the government won't care unless it's money for them.[/QUOTE] I assume inflation is high in that case?

It's because of America. Publishing companies in the U.S. want to milk us for every dollar we have. So they charge ridiculous amounts to retail in Australia, and get off scott free. Bobby Kotick was once asked why games were so expensive in Australia. His response? "Because we can get away with it" It is not Australia's fault. It's America's fucking corporate greed.

Damn 100 for a game? How much are cigarettes in Australia?

Also, sorry to those who don't really get what I'm trying to express, I think too much and I can't really get the words from my head into words most the time.

I find it bizarre that Australia's so stingy with their citizenship, it's at the bottom of the list on places I'd want to live, mainly because of this and the political craziness.

Shipping /thread

$100 for a game? jeez if it was like that here in britain I think I would kill my self :P

What Australia can't ban, they make more expensive.

Doesn't Australia slap taxes on a lot of things?

You think you guys have it bad? In Portugal, we have a huge percentage of unemployed people. Taxes go up every year at least once or twice and now the stuff you need the most is even more expensive then it was before. Prices here rose TWICE in a matter of months, and don't even think about taking the highways. Our PM first said NO to "pay-2-drive" highways during his campaign 5 years ago. 5 years later, hes the one announcing that the country is gonna get filled with that bullshit. All that while he buys his brand new Mercedes... FUCKING HIPOCRITS!