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A while back, the Australian dollar was about US 60c. I would suggest this was the basis for which software was pegged against. When the exchange rate changed,
by rustynails 13y ago
A while back, the Australian dollar was about US 60c. I would suggest this was the basis for which software was pegged against. When the exchange rate changed, the priced stayed fixed because it maintained status quo for the locals. Over time, it became the norm for others to follow suit.
It's actually quite simple: if you think it's too expensive or loaded pricing, don't buy it.
- Volpe 13y agowhat if you have a need, and that need can only be filled by a product with a loaded price... you don't really have the option to "not buy it"...
- anthonyb 13y agoNot even that. Even games on Steam are routinely priced at retail and left there for years. Civ V, for example, was still $70 last time I checked. And no, I didn't buy it :) Update: Just checked - Released 24 Sep 2010, $69.99
- elnate 13y agohttp://www.steamprices.com/ http://www.steamprices.com/ is a good place to see what's what and find the most outrageous examples. Anno2070 DLC has a 700% markup in Australia.
- guard-of-terra 13y agoThis is probably a result of owners forgetting to update prices in 2nd class regions (= everything that's not US or UK). The solution to it is price tiering as opposed to being able to price whatever in whatever country.
- Khaine 13y agoExcept that Steam forces Australians to buy software in US dollars. We can't buy through the US Store. We go into an 'australian steam store' where they rip us off, and we have to pay in USD.
- levosmetalo 13y agoAnd suddenly, the whole "don't pirate, feed the poor hardworking people" story doesn't seem so believable, is it?
- JEVLON 13y agoNot all developers/publishers charge higher prices. You can see here: http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/149928 http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/149928
- bjz_ 13y agoI live at university accommodation in Australia which houses a large proportion of international exchange students. Every one of them, from France, the UK, Canada, Sweden, the US etc. has been shocked by the prices here. Some of them have even said that if they had known how expensive it was, they wouldn't have come. (This is in general, not just software.)
- gregsq 13y agoI'm in Australia from the UK and yes, the prices can be ridiculously high. I have my own version of the McDonald's index, the bread index. In supermarkets in the UK quality organic whole meal fresh bake is £1.10 which is about $1.80 AU. A loaf of white junk bread in Australia costs over $4.00. And so it is with lots of things. So many rent seekers.
- robryan 13y agoTo be fair you can get the cheap supermarket brand for about $1.10. I would agree though that you can be looking at around $4 for something decent.
- gregsq 13y agoIt's my unfamiliarity with city prices I've discovered. I apologise for my lack of knowledge there. Still, the regional price I see in the large country town I'm in is in a way the exception that demonstrates this observation. I cannot but surmise that a rent is being charged.
- criley2 13y agoIn the American south where cost of living is known to be low, I can get store brand white bread for $0.99 (~$1.06 AUD). I can get fancy pants processed bread that is brown with lots of labels like "NATURAL" for $3.00. Store-fresh bread is $2 - $4 at grocery stores. I can't imagine junk white costing $4. That's outrageous, but then again, maybe it's like that in some American regions with a crazy cost of living.
- beedogs 13y agoOr continue to import it for half the price. Yay, status quo.