Price of LEGO sets in Australia

[Sam]

I've noticed that increasingly there is a huge price difference between sets sold here and in the US, even when the sets are identical.

For example, this set: http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Spider-Ma...ck-Ambush-6873

is $29.99 if your region is US.

But as soon as you change your region to Australia, it becomes $69.99!

I asked LEGO about the price difference once before, and here is the response:

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due to differences in economics around the world, prices are determined by the demographics of specific countries. There are also differences in taxes, exchange rates and market value of our products. Also, the laws of a country can affect the way prices are stated. For instance, prices in the US are shown without sales taxes while in Europe the prices stated to the consumer must include VAT.
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[kaiden]

basically they are saying regional pricing is in effect and they don't care.

[griffin]

Lego, Mattel & Hasbro are foreign-owned toy companies who all over-charge here because they have a legal monopoly (no one else is allowed to import their products without authorisation).
Until parallel importing includes toys (they mentioned "laws of a country" in their reply to you), they can charge whatever they want out of greed... and blame it on factors that don't actually affect the prices here (tax rates are similar, exchange rate is in our favour, etc).

[Verno]

So how do we change it? Do we march on Canberra? Demand legislation to be changed/created?

[kaiden]

So how do we change it? Do we march on Canberra? Demand legislation to be changed/created?

convince all those naive parents and relatives to do so, I'm pretty sure most don't realise how badly is it they get ripped off.

[Sam]

Here is the more complete response:

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we're truly sorry to hear you are upset about the cost of the products and shipping. Our shipping and handling rates depend on the amount of LEGO you want to order and the type of shipping method you prefer.
http://shop.lego.com/TermsPolicies/s...d_handling.asp

Due to differences in economics around the world, prices are determined by the demographics of specific countries. There are also differences in taxes, exchange rates and market value of our products. Also, the laws of a country can affect the way prices are stated. For instance, prices in the US are shown without sales taxes while in Europe the prices stated to the consumer must include VAT.

For orders in Australia and New Zealand, the product actually ships to the United Kingdom from our distribution center in (Belgium, Denmark) Europe, where the packages are then forwarded on to our consumers in Australia and New Zealand.

There is a distribution centre in America. Unfortunately, we do not actually have a distribution center in Australia, but we do deliver to the country, which is why the price for delivery is a bit higher than one might like.

Again, we are truly sorry to hear your disappointment with the price of the shipping. I will absolutely pass your comments along to the team in charge of this area for consideration.
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I am not convinced that shipping is what contributes to the price being more than doubled of the US price, and I have written as such in my reply to LEGO. Even with the sales tax added in the US, I don't believe it would come to 69.99USD.

[griffin]

So how do we change it? Do we march on Canberra? Demand legislation to be changed/created?

Changing legislation is the way to do it, like we had with books and CDs about 15 years ago. The official distributors would have to drop their prices to compete against smaller operators who could source product from America or Asia, leaving us (the consumers) better off with cheaper prices, and more Australians employed from the greater Domestic turnover (because people would be less likely to import if it is cheaper here).
This "exclusive rights" legal protection in this country, was probably drawn up by politicians protecting their big business friends/donors... as it certainly doesn't do anything beneficial for us consumers/voters.
Petitioning Federal Politicians, or becoming one, would be the only way to change this.

[Verno]

Does the Labor Party have an MP that's like 21 or something? He's our way in!

[UltraMarginal]

This is the same for most retail products in australia, be it white goods, electronics or toys. There is currently an enquiry being conducted by the government into the price disparity with electronic goods, ie downloadable music, games and other software. Apple, Steam, Microsoft, Adobe and many others all have not really said anything convincing yet, surprisingly.

[Verno]

Wyatt Roy

Youngest MP ever apparently. If the Libs get up in the next election, we get this kid on our side and push through our legislation!