EMG International price difference

[Nuk3m]

I just wanted to draw peoples attention to the price difference of some pickups.

I live down under (Melbourne) I have come to be familiar with some products being more expensive here. However sometimes something "special" will pop up.

In this instance I'm going to use EMG as an example being that it was the brand i was shopping for. Emg 40dcs to be exact. After realizing the price difference internationally my plan was to buy from the USA but EMG will not allow international sales

Their current price in the USA is $95USD (Roughly $104AUD)
http://www.theperfectbass.com/explor...&U=1&SS=1&CR=Y

Their price in OZ is $270AUD (Roughly $247USD)
http://www.billyhydemusic.com.au/sho...special-order/

That is a price difference of $152USD or $166AUD.
Since i need two this price difference is doubled to $304USD or $332AUD.

At what point should I deem this acceptable? At what point does EMG see this as good business?

I cant possibly see the shipping for these raising the price THAT high. I have shipped preamps, DIs, and pedals for much less than $322AUD. I have even shipped a WHOLE BASS (35" scale) from the US for less than that.

I don't know who is to blame for the disgusting price difference. It could be EMG or the Australian distributors for EMG. Either way its a mis-management that has hurt their name.

Does anybody know why or the excuse EMG are using for this price hike?

Are there any other brands of pickups that are doing this?

[Asomodai]

I agree, its terrible how much international customers are gouged continually like this. I have similar problems being in the UK.

[Bygde]

We have the same thing here in Sweden. I've done some calculations, and I SAVE money by flying to New York, buying a Music Man Stingray, and then fly back to Sweden again. It's disgusting really.

[FunkMetalBass]

I'd attribute that mostly to the distributor, but EMG could play a part in it as some retailers I've looked at are not allowed to sell EMG products outside the US.

This is why you find nice people in America to help you out.

I could order some for you and ship them to you for the American cost + shipping from them to me + shipping from me to you + paypal fees (sorry, I can't afford to lose money on this) and probably save you $120 AUD.

PM me if you're interested.

[phatbass]

My opinion is that we are getting raped by someone in the distribution chain.

The funny thing is that a few years ago when people started realising they could get Boss pedals for less than half the price, including postage, by buying from "a certain Singapore-based outlet" (there are now several), Boss somehow magically discovered they could drop their prices on Australia, as if by magic...

[Randall]

Hmmm. Have you gone online and tried to order emg's from a USA music store. Or do they not ship to Austrailia? I can get most anything from the USA online shipped to Canada.

[stoneboy26]

Yep - You also ahve to consider that in the grand scheme of things sales of replacement bass pickups in Australia is very small, compared to America - so therefore distributors can't get the same prices from EMG that stores in the US can. Add into the fact that US stores most likely get their product direct from EMG while stores in Oz go through the distributor therefore adding an extra level of cost.

Having said that I am sure you have noticed the discrepancy in pricing in general between goods in Oz and the US.

Unfortunately there is not a lot you can do about it unless you have a "friend" in the US.

[Nuk3m]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

I'd attribute that mostly to the distributor, but EMG could play a part in it as some retailers I've looked at are not allowed to sell EMG products outside the US.

This is why you find nice people in America to help you out.

I could order some for you and ship them to you for the American cost + shipping from them to me + shipping from me to you + paypal fees (sorry, I can't afford to lose money on this) and probably save you $120 AUD.

PM me if you're interested.

Thank you, really i appreciate it a lot, but i have already made the necessary arrangements. I don't think any retailers are allowed to sell EMG products outside of the US. i personally haven't found one. If you do find one, pm me, it would be nice find a more direct route of gaining EMG products.

Again thanks mate

Originally Posted by phatbass

My opinion is that we are getting raped by someone in the distribution chain.

The funny thing is that a few years ago when people started realising they could get Boss pedals for less than half the price, including postage, by buying from "a certain Singapore-based outlet" (there are now several), Boss somehow magically discovered they could drop their prices on Australia, as if by magic...

I feel you man. We get screwed here on SO MANY things. That "magic" seems to be all around. I hear about the comparisons with studio monitors, preamps, compressors, guitar gear like mesa and heaps of other things. From audio guys, guitarists and a lot of people in the music industry. THEY ALL have things that are more expensive here for no reason.

I never did see any price drops on American products when our economy was kicking ass, though we all saw the prices RISE when the WHOLE economy dropped its guts. And now the aussie dollar is up again, NO PRICE CUTS.

This EMG deal seems to be the biggest scam of all. By far the biggest in respect to weight of shipment, size of shipment, the fact they are pretty robust we aren't dealing with tubes or anything like that. If you take all that into mind there aren't many reasons why there is such a price difference. Well other than those bureaucratic BS reasons with paperwork and cooperate dollar ninjas throwing circular logic at you.

i have shipped heaps of things 20-40x its size and weight and it still was cheaper then the price difference. Not to mention the fact shipping between USA and OZ is well set up and facilitated. And the fact we have trade agreements. All of that and a set of EMGs is a $332AUD difference.

...I think our distributors like caviar...

Originally Posted by Randall

Hmmm. Have you gone online and tried to order emg's from a USA music store. Or do they not ship to Austrailia? I can get most anything from the USA online shipped to Canada.

They seem to be more stern with their rules when your Australian.

[Nuk3m]

Originally Posted by stoneboy26

Yep - You also ahve to consider that in the grand scheme of things sales of replacement bass pickups in Australia is very small, compared to America - so therefore distributors can't get the same prices from EMG that stores in the US can. Add into the fact that US stores most likely get their product direct from EMG while stores in Oz go through the distributor therefore adding an extra level of cost.

Having said that I am sure you have noticed the discrepancy in pricing in general between goods in Oz and the US.

Unfortunately there is not a lot you can do about it unless you have a "friend" in the US.

Of course there is going to be a difference in price. And to be honest I'm usually to pay it. It gets me customer support, i get to see the stock and check it before purchase and id prefer to help my own economy.

But in this case its ridiculous. There is no logic other then wanting to charge more than logical BECAUSE THEY CAN.

I'm not saying emg are doing it directly but someone is. However at what point do you let your customer base receive such abuse?

[phatbass]

Some companies won't allow US dealers to sell/ship overseas, in order to protect local distributors in those other countries. At one time, Peavey wouldn't allow their stuff to be sold by mail-order at all.

Of course, if you search hard enough you WILL find a source.

[Nuk3m]

HI guys just to give you an update. I got the 2x 40dc's and 2x40p5's. PURCHASED IN AMERICA AND SHIPPED TO AUSTRALIA. Ill be seeing which combination sounds the best for my bass.

Instead of that costing me close to $1100AUD it only cost me $420USD. Cheaper then buying 2 emgs in Australia. Sickening.

[Rickett Customs]

Do you guy have VAT like Europe does? I know it isn't cheap...

[slaerts]

Fender, Ernie Ball, Elixer, EMG and a huge range of other US companies ... all wont allow their US dealers to ship international. This allows them to gouge the market in a number of countries, Australia being one of them. They have a smoke and mirrors defence "its the postage/insurance costs" "its the exchange rate" "its the middle men". Its a load of bollocks is what it is. And its the reason why it is cheaper for me to order a handmade 6 string custom bass with a whole range of fancy extras than it is for me to walk into my local shop and purchase a MIA standard fender 4 string, and exactly what I did when I had the $ to do it.

It begs the question how do these people sleep at night? The answer of course, is quite soundly in very comfortable & expensive beds.

[slaerts]

Originally Posted by Rickett Customs

Do you guy have VAT like Europe does? I know it isn't cheap...

Not really. At the moment if it is under AUD$1000 we dont payt anything it just goes through the post and stright to us. A threshold our local music shops wished was lowered.

[Setebos]

Bases, pedals, guitars, drums, cabs, heads, etc have a local retail price that doubles the price of the same product in the USA.
I never understood the reason for it.

Edit: for example I bought a set of Basslines SSB4 PUs a few weeks ago at usd 212 at a local store.