Dymocks have led the charge to abolish the PIR, and their CEO often claims that his Hong Kong shops prove the point. The table below summarises the earlier data and incorporates prices from Dymock’s Harbour Centre Hong Kong store. Only seven of the top ten are available (Why isn’t Chris Tsiolkos published overseas? Why are Dymocks not promoting this Australian author in Hong Kong?).
It is true that their HK prices, even if adjusted for a notional Australian GST to make the comparison fair, are always cheaper than Dymocks Australia. But then Dymocks is rarely the cheapest in Australia. As the totals at the bottom of the table reveal, for the top ten Dymocks is $61.27 more than the lowest in Australia (in a quick survey of Brisbane CBD stores; possibly there are even cheaper sources out there) and about $32 (after GST adjustment) than its own store in Hong Kong. But the Hong Kong prices are only $3.26 less expensive than the Australian lowest prices, and actually $11.52 more expensive after adjustment for GST.
As many of the articles and comments written the past few days on this subject attest, the most important argument, except for economic rationalists, is not cost per se. Even the PC report says, it is really about “cultural externalities” — ie. whether we want to have an Australian publishing industry, support Australian authors and local independent bookstores (versus a Dymocks or BigW that brings in remaindered books from the US market cheating authors and publishers of their royalties, but giving these booksellers bigger profit margins and Bob Carr his bonus).
However, let’s at least begin with getting the facts straight. Dymocks HK is only cheaper if you avoid GST and bring them home yourself, and manage to stay under luggage weight limits. It can also be noted that if one adjusts for GST, Amazon has only one book (bought singly) that remains cheaper than the lowest Australian price while Book Depository has four (only three have >$5 differential).
Notes to table: Colour code: bright-green=lowest price; light-green=next lowest or broadly comparable.
Sorry mate, I listened to the same special interest pleading and threats of cultural armageddon when the music import rort was turned off.
The world did not end, Australian music continues to thrive, CDs got significantly cheaper and it seems everyone was a winner (except the special interest pleaders).
I expect the same to happen with books.
This author’s relies on emotive attacks and then yet more emotive attacks and abuse when he is unable to rationally defend his position. For evidence see the discussion following his last article (linked to above).
I will point out that the first comment is from reader Michael James, not the author of this article Michael James.
Note also that in this article he is not carrying-on about exchange rates and bank overseas transaction fees (a big gripe in his last article) because I demonstrated that these were non-existent problems when buying through Amazon. ALL Australian purchasers can pay in Australian dollars to Amazon’s local entity.
However, this ‘scientist’ was unable to admit that he had made basic factual errors and instead resorted to a feeble trickle of emotive abuse.
OK, David Sanderson, I unreservedly apologize for making a bit of fun of one of your posts. Let us stop this nonsense–mostly to save other readers. But for the record I certainly made no factual error. In fact yesterday I gave you the exact AUD amount of my Amazon order of 10 days ago, noting that there was in fact an additional $12.62 extra charge on an approx. $340 order (that I cannot tell what it is from internet Visa card) compared to the Amazon screen AUD dollar amount. If you want to give documented counter-examples that would be welcome but please no more sniping.
–err. the real Michael R. James (Brisbane, scientist)