MXL available in Australia..........but don't get too exited.

  • Thread starter Thread starter ausrock
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STUDIO PROJECTS PRICES / OZ

Ausrock, alfalfa and maths experts,

So you think we are greedy.

Lets do some maths.

The last STUDIO PROJECTS price list was when the OZ $ was .54c, which was not that long ago.

We are about to adjust our prices, but it takes a little while for stock levels to catch up.

C-1: USA RRP: $300
CONVERT: $555
SHIP FROM STATES: $20 average
GST 10%, DUTY 3% microphones on percieved RRP
We allow overnight shipping in OZ: $15
TOTAL $666

ACTUAL OZ RRP: $649
STREET PRICE.............

This is about to go down as well.

The rest of the range is similar, in fact its better on most items:

C-3: USA RRP: $500

CONVERT: $925
SHIP FROM STATES: $20 average
GST 10%, DUTY 3% on percieved RRP
We allow overnight shipping in OZ: $15
TOTAL $1,085

ACTUAL OZ RRP: $989 and going down
STREET PRICE.............

Please tell me, is there something I am missing.

To provide an infrastructure to be able to offer these quality products, as well as provide sound advice and service costs about as much as margins allow.

We offer the resellers the same margins as the rest, but we don't give them away to inflate the RRP, the product has more integrity than that.

Another thing is that we use these mic's, perhaps check out our studio www.mixmasters.com.au and you will see that they are in good company, and yes they get used daily.

The best thing is that these mic's are fantastic, and would represent great value at double the price, but hey we are not greedy!

Mick Wordley

Front End Audio
 
BOTHER WITH END USERS???

Dear Ausrock,

How can you say I don't bother with end users....

I am a user, and have been for many many years, and have produced and engineered many release albums, in many studios including my own, maybe check it out.

I spend a good portion of my time talking to end users who can be bothered to make contact.

Don't seem to recall talking to you though.

Love to hear from you,

Maybe we would have more in common than you would like to think.

I engaged in distribution for much more than mercenery reasons

And I would probably do a whole lot better producing records financially.

However...........

Cheers,

Mick

FEA
 
Hi Mick. Thanks for taking the time to explain the cost structure to us. I have no issues with the rrp set.

My main issue is that the street price of a C1 in the US is US$199, about 66% of the rrp. However in Australia, I have not been able to get a street price below A$599 versus an rrp of A$649 ie about 90% of rrp. Why is there such a big discrepancy between US street prices and Australian street prices? Could you do a similar analysis using street prices rather than rrp.
 
Mick,

Thanks for coming on board here.................BUT please don't misconstrue my comments.

My point was that importer/distributors don't usually (yes there may be exceptions) involve themselves as active retailers.......they leave that to the dealers. You by the very nature of your involvement in the industry don't qualify as a typical end user.........at least not on a "homerecording forum"
 
Mick,

FYI,............. according to Yahoo's currency converter, a C1 @ $300US is equivalent to $505 Aust and a C3 comes in at $843.

What really brought these pricing issues to a head was the announcement (which appeared in these forums) of new pricing for SP in the UK.

Some examples, (these figures are fresh off the website and at current exchange rates)..........converted from UK pounds to $Aust;

B1..........$176
B3..........$281
TB1........$523
C1..........$355
C3..........$565 (Originally advertised as $460)
T3...........$974 (Originally advertised as $789)
VTB-1......$355

Now admitedly, these may or may not be RRP or street prices, but whichever they are, there is surely enough difference for even you to understand why questions are being asked.


:cool:
 
Point Taken

OK Guys,

point taken.

Keep your eye on the prices, as I digest all.

I think you will find, if you shop, the"street" price will bo OK, but, by all means keep me informed...mick@frontendaudio.com.au

Cheers,

Mick, FEA
 
I got a friend of mine in New York to get me an MXL V67M when Mars had the US$99 blowout. I had it in my hands (admittedly it took 5 weeks via surface mail, but who cares) for AU$230. And that was when the AUD was at 50c. And I gave him $10 for his mucking around.
This is a practise I will continue to use untill I see some parity between street prices here and in the USA/Europe. Surely Australia is not that small a market?

Mick, I know the freight is only a minor part, but come on, $20 per unit? If I couldn't ship these units in bulk for for less than half that I'd give the game away! I got mine here for $20 and that was one item!
As was mentioned above, you can harp on all you like about RRPs, but untill an Australian retailer can offer the same reduction as a street price as his USA counterpart, I'll keep right on whinging and not buying here..... And that's your loss, not mine.
 
That said Mick, I applaud your "balls" for coming forth and having your say where most would hide behind their anonymity.
 
Well, I guess that ends this discussion............for now.

:cool:
 
I am still waiting for an explanation of the huge difference between US street prices and Aus street prices. More specifically the C1 microphone - US street price US$199, Aust street price A$599 (or you pick what you think an appropriate Aust street price is). Mick?
 
When I started this thread, I didn't expect it to develop the way it did, and my comments regarding the Aust., sector of the industry's pricing policies and philosophies were meant as a generalisation, (albeit close to accurate), and not aimed at anyone in particular............unfortunately, Mick Wordley seems to have taken it otherwise.

Alfalfa,

I think you will find some of, if not all the answers in my earlier, (pre Mick) posts.

:cool:
 
I would like to see a specific analysis of US vs Aust street prices for the C1 microphone by the distributor. Mick has used analysis of rrp to defend his company but the main issue is street prices. How does he account for the large difference between US and Aust street prices for the C1 microphone? I am not saying there are not legitimate reasons but I would like to see them spelled out by the distributor.
 
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Firstly, seeing how you raised Mick's use of RRP in those calculations.............according to the Customs Dept., all calculations for duties and GST are based on an importers purchase cost, NOT the final retail. It actually goes something like this;

COST.......also known as "customs value" (the price the importer pays for the goods)

DUTY........let's say 5% of COST

SHIPPING and INSURANCE

These 3 figures are added together to give the VTOI (Value of Taxable Importation)

GST........10% of the VTOI

Add the Duty and GST to determine the total payable to the Govt.

The end cost of an item should be the total of the COST+DUTY+GST+SHIPPING.

If an importer uses an "import broker" then there may be additional costs. Same goes for local transport, etc.

This information is freely available from www.apectariff.org or you can phone Customs and ask them directly.


The issue of street price calculations is something I prefer not to comment on.

:cool:
 
I think Mick has seen all the comments and has shown his interest in making changes simply by replying on this thread.

Mick knows that you guys are buying elsewhere and believe me, he want you to buy locally... Let's give Mick a little time to get his new pricing together. Remember, we have just reduced the VTB1, the TB1, and the T3. It is "our" obligation to now price protect Mick to get his inventory down, but we will do that.

Lets see how this all pans out. I know Mick wants your business, and I do as well. Hang in there and lets see where all this goes. AT least this is a good start! :D
 
Man, that's a BIG $ difference.

"More specifically the C1 microphone - US street price US$199, Aust street price A$599"

I think the answer is clear. All you down under folks have been getting screwed, as in ripped off. If they don't drop the prices - it's your turn to screw them back by boycotting and buying elsewhere. I live in CA USA, let me know if you need my help. :)
 
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DJL,

That is $199US which equates to approx,. $362Aust. It is still a big drop from the mid to high 500s. Many thanks for the offer of help...........you may live to regret saying that though:D

Alan,

You should by now, know my thoughts on the matter and quite seriously, I only touched upon maybe half of the factors that should be of concern.

:cool:
 
It kind of under miines Studio Projects mission statement of trying to keeping their prices low and products affordable, doesn't it. :(
 
SP pricing

To all concerned,

Thanks for all comments, noted.

Keep posted, we are going through all of this, and will attack this with a cleaver.....

Digesting....

On your side...

Cheers,

In Music,

Mick Wordley, FEA
 
Just another thing

Dear alfalfa,

I think $599 is the highest "street price" I have heard.

The dealers get good margins to work with, the same as other products.

This will be looked at closely with our next pricing stucture, and improved also.

I would be very surprised if you could not purchase a C-1 for not much over $500, or at least a hundred off RRP.

I certainly am aware of good prices on line, in Australia.

And believe me, we do sell a significant amount of these mic's.

This is all healthy debate, and I agree, very relavent

Cheers,

Mick.
 
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