I hear what you're saying Berni.
The sales person whose time you've wasted probably has a mortgage to pay and kids to feed. I commiserate with him/her.
Unfortunately, the organisation they work for has either not kept up with the fluctuations in the international money market, or if they have, then they are screwing us.
It really pisses me off that local retailers expect us to pay anything up to twice the price for imported goods.
Having said that, I have bought my camera and all my lens locally. Why? Peace of mind with warranty, and price matching of overseas prices by the distributor.
One day the penny will drop for these greedy folk, and they will realise that their potential buyers work bloody hard to put the bucks aside to maintain this expensive hobby, are not dills and hate getting ripped off.
My backpack, tripod & head and lots of add-ons have all come from overseas. The tripod I just brought in was $AU385.00, delivered to my door, $200.00 cheaper than some local retailers.
BTW, I live out of town and don't have the option of 'window shopping'.
Just my two bobs worth, but as you said, that's what forums are for.
Cheers
Kevin