Nikwax. Aussies ripped off

[photohiker]

I went to reproof my Paramo yesterday morning, and found that I was short on the TX Direct wash-in product. So was Snowy's where I usually get it, and most of the other local outlets. Eventually found one at Kathmandu Marion for $27 and change. (300ml) Last one from Snowy's was about $20, so I think there's a bit of Kathmandu premium in there, but maybe there has been a price rise in the meantime too...

Anyway, this is getting expensive stuff to use regularly, so I decided to check what the UK price was on ebay and landed up ordering a LITRE of each of the Techwash and TX-Direct for a total including shipping of $68.98. - so $34.50/litre. I've never seen the bulk packs in Aus, didn't even know they exist. That's a bit better than the Kathmandu $89/litre or the Snowy's $66/litre isn't it? There's also a 5 Litre pair there for a bit under $205 including shipping, that's $20.50/litre!

A 300ml pair sells on ebay with shipping for about the same as I paid for one!

Outrageous.

[Moondog55]

I too had noticed the price rises, perhaps I need to look for a substitute

[photohiker]

Arrived the other day. all safe and as described.

Pretty happy with that.

[corvus]

Perhaps economy of scale rather than ripoff ? Australia population 20+ million UK 63+ million three times as many potential customers just a thought
corvus

[Moondog55]

And only a half days drive from one end to the other in a semi too; so cost of servicing is very very low in comparison, but I still think we pay too much

[corvus]

And only a half days drive from one end to the other in a semi too; so cost of servicing is very very low in comparison, but I still think we pay too much

Lost me Moondog 55 dont know what you call a half day (Devonport to Hobart perhaps) in a semi and have you checked out the hourly pay rates for most in Australia as compared to UK or heaven forbid USA
corvus

[photohiker]

Perhaps economy of scale rather than ripoff ? Australia population 20+ million UK 63+ million three times as many potential customers just a thought
corvus

All comes out of the same factory mate.

Nope, it's just the same old hungry Aussie distribution/retail markup ripoff. Possibly not even Nikwax's fault.

[corvus]

Perhaps economy of scale rather than ripoff ? Australia population 20+ million UK 63+ million three times as many potential customers just a thought
corvus

All comes out of the same factory mate.

Nope, it's just the same old hungry Aussie distribution/retail markup ripoff. Possibly not even Nikwax's fault.

Hey mate I know where it is made perhaps a simpler analogy is required ,purchase say one bottle of beer and it will cost you so much purchase a carton and the price reduces considerably it is the same with many items the more you buy the cheaper it gets,also the prices we pay for goods in Australia are determined by many factors including the hourly wage rate paid to employees are you suggesting this is too high
corvus

[photohiker]

Corvus, is your name Harvey?

The colonial distribution models are falling apart with online trading. As a member of the Joe Public buying group, I can now see the retail price of goods worldwide. I'm still happy to pay a small premium to keep a fellow Aussie in a job but I'm not willing to pay double or more for the same product.

I've worked most of my working life in wholesale distribution, dealing with importers and retailers and have a good working knowledge of how retail prices get inflated in the Australian marketplace compared to overseas. Neither of us have access to the landed costs of Nikwax in Australia, but I would still be willing to bet that the landed cost is not where the price hike happens.

[corvus]

Ok ball is in your court name names and examples please(other than Kathmandu) as I spent most of my working life in retail (for both small and Multinational companies) and I know what our mark up bottom line was and it was most certainly not a ripoff as we had competition nor were the wholesalers nor agents ripping us off as they also had competition perhaps in your particular field it is different.
corvus

[photohiker]

Sorry, can't do that.

I will say, that Australian import is littered with examples of golden distribution agreements where the (generally sole) importer has a rock solid agreement and can set their own local prices. And they do... Working in retail, you would not see this, as you are right, you are competing with other retailers and you all buy at the same price from wholesale. The clues are there if you keep your eyes open, and knowing that a product is incredibly dearer here than overseas is a good flag to watch for. Follow the money...

[corvus]

As I said Mate name names or it is just your narrow hearsay as I believe we have laws against that sort of agreement .
So easy to say that our Importers are " crooks/ripoff merchants " without substantiation earlier you mentioned retailers so who is it you are targeting we have many forum members on here who actually earn money through Retail shops.
For the record I am retired with no affiliation to to anyone
corvus

[tasadam]

Hey guys, I found the reason why it's so expensive here...
Transport costs! http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/we ... -a-racket/

[corvus]

Hey guys, I found the reason why it's so expensive here...
Transport costs! http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/we ... -a-racket/

Good one Adam but that is out of the State not into and did you notice that the freight from UK was reasonable
corvus

[tasadam]

Yeah, a container from the UK to NSW cheaper than from Tassie to NSW. Not good...

[photohiker]

As I said Mate name names or it is just your narrow hearsay as I believe we have laws against that sort of agreement .
So easy to say that our Importers are " crooks/ripoff merchants " without substantiation earlier you mentioned retailers so who is it you are targeting we have many forum members on here who actually earn money through Retail shops.
For the record I am retired with no affiliation to to anyone
corvus

There is no law in this country that makes a master international distribution agreement illegal, so not sure what law you're on about?

You're right, it is easy to say that parts of our distribution chain are ripoff merchants. The evidence supports this, some of them are. I dunno where you got crooks from, but I guess there could be some of those too, I wouldn't know about that.

The situation is that we are paying through the nose for this product, and I call it a rip-off, and I also believe the problem most likely occurs after it has landed in Australia. I don't know whether its the importer, wholesalers, retailers, or all of them. Its still a rip-off.

Happy for you to disagree with that, not worth the candle to-ing and fro-ing on it. The message has been delivered and anyone who uses a bit of Nikwax now knows the score.