Comments on: Aussie software price ripoff: why free is the way to go http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2008/07/aussie_software_price_ripoff_why_free_is_the_way_to_go/ tips and downloads to help you at work and play Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:40:14 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: fenerli http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2008/07/aussie_software_price_ripoff_why_free_is_the_way_to_go/comment-page-1/#comment-3368 fenerli Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:50:27 +0000 http://www.lifehacker.com.au/tips/2008/07/01/aussie_software_price_ripoff_why_free_is_the_way_to_go.html#comment-3368 <p>Yes, this is absurd. FIFA 08 was an interesting stand out from my experiences, costing $80 on Steam Australia and probably the same in Australian retail stores yet selling for $20 in the US.</p> <p>Sure makes eBay'ing items from Hong Kong and where not or using free and/or open source software an appealing alternative.</p> <p>If anyone is interested, look up Google for "open source equivalents to commercial software" (without the quotes) and turn the "worldwide" option on when searching eBay and you'll save plenty.</p> Yes, this is absurd. FIFA 08 was an interesting stand out from my experiences, costing $80 on Steam Australia and probably the same in Australian retail stores yet selling for $20 in the US.

Sure makes eBay’ing items from Hong Kong and where not or using free and/or open source software an appealing alternative.

If anyone is interested, look up Google for “open source equivalents to commercial software” (without the quotes) and turn the “worldwide” option on when searching eBay and you’ll save plenty.

]]> By: PaulC http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2008/07/aussie_software_price_ripoff_why_free_is_the_way_to_go/comment-page-1/#comment-3367 PaulC Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:13:54 +0000 http://www.lifehacker.com.au/tips/2008/07/01/aussie_software_price_ripoff_why_free_is_the_way_to_go.html#comment-3367 <p>The consistently high mark-up on technology/software for Australia absolutely murders me.</p> <p>I don't entirely understand why it's necessary, and if you take a look at various items like Eee PCs in shops, you'll notice a vast price difference in price.</p> <p>So, it makes even less sense on downloadable items.</p> <p>In the end, why would I buy from a local retailer, when I can purchase X item, ship it, buy a new powercord (or what have you), and STILL save $100?</p> The consistently high mark-up on technology/software for Australia absolutely murders me.

I don’t entirely understand why it’s necessary, and if you take a look at various items like Eee PCs in shops, you’ll notice a vast price difference in price.

So, it makes even less sense on downloadable items.

In the end, why would I buy from a local retailer, when I can purchase X item, ship it, buy a new powercord (or what have you), and STILL save $100?

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