Heres a good article from SMH about prices in Australian retail vs. grey importers and international pricing - thought it is fitting for photography as many of us also have turned to buying overseas in recent times due to the massive price differences here and abroad.

http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/d...922-1km3r.html

Australians pay hundreds of dollars more for laptops, phones and other gadgets while software, which is now often delivered over the internet, is commonly 60-80 per cent more expensive in Australia despite companies facing no significant additional costs to distribute it here.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/d...#ixzz1YflESGdJ



In a speech last night Husic gave an example of high-end editing software that costs $12,000 more in Australia than in the US. He also quoted an IT retailer who said companies like Canon and HP in Australia refuse to respond to concerns about price discrimination and that many Australian retailers were scared to speak out as they feared being cut out or penalised by the big companies.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/d...#ixzz1YflKqfDg



Personally, I travel a lot overseas for photography work and have stopped buying most of my stuff locally, even clothing and gym supplements which is half price or less overseas. I would love to support the local industry, but only when I deem it is fair for the consumer such as myself. It is worth reading the 140 comments or so below the article too from various people, to get views on both sides of the coin.

Either way, I think there will be a positive shift in the Australian retail market sooner or later.