Microsoft Hikes Win7 Prices for Australia

[ttremeth]

disgrace

Bit of a disgrace that a country as loyal as us get the shaft yet again. Considering the technology is digital, there is no excuse.

What is it with MS? Do they have ears? Let them hear the millions of people using Ubuntu and the MAC OS...(I still use Vista and RC of Win 7)

 

[Zirro]

Aussie early adopters who promoted win 7

I am very dissappointed with the Australian Win 7 pricing announced so far.

It looks to me like US, Canadian and Japanese early adopters get a very cheap upgrade while we get screwed to subsidise it.

The announced pricing will just encourage Linux and Mac OS development.
MS really know how to shoot themselves in the foot.

 

[andych]

I am very dissappointed with the Australian Win 7 pricing announced so far.

It looks to me like US, Canadian and Japanese early adopters get a very cheap upgrade while we get screwed to subsidise it.

The announced pricing will just encourage Linux and Mac OS development.
MS really know how to shoot themselves in the foot.

Come on.....seriously. You don't believe for one second that this pricing is going to make a massive change to the number of Linux or Mac users in Australia or anywhere in the world.
For a start the price is nothing compared to having to buy a Mac in the first place and second the majority of "average" PC users in Australia at least would have no idea how to set up Linux to do what they want.

Apart from that...have a look at the Stats graph below (courtesy of Wzor.info)

 

[tw33k]

Come on.....seriously. You don't believe for one second that this pricing is going to make a massive change to the number of Linux or Mac users in Australia or anywhere in the world.
For a start the price is nothing compared to having to buy a Mac in the first place and second the majority of "average" PC users in Australia at least would have no idea how to set up Linux to do what they want.

Apart from that...have a look at the Stats graph below (courtesy of Wzor.info)

I don't think these ridiculous prices will convert people to macs or linux but it definately will keep people stuck to their XP configurations.
I've been talking to a lot of people and they are all asking the same question "Why would I pay that much? What will I get out of it?" and the answer is pretty much "Nothing". Like I said earlier, their internet works on XP, their email works on XP, their camera/printer/scanner all work on XP. Why would they upgrade? And with these prices??!! No way!!
Most people don't even know what an OS is. Why would they pay hundreds of dollars when what they have works fine.
I'm sooo glad I got a Technet sub. I wouldn't have paid for win7 anyway but at least now I may be able to help a couple of people to upgrade their machines.

 

[andych]

I don't think these ridiculous prices will convert people to macs or linux but it definately will keep people stuck to their XP configurations.
I've been talking to a lot of people and they are all asking the same question "Why would I pay that much? What will I get out of it?" and the answer is pretty much "Nothing". Like I said earlier, their internet works on XP, their email works on XP, their camera/printer/scanner all work on XP. Why would they upgrade? And with these prices??!! No way!!
Most people don't even know what an OS is. Why would they pay hundreds of dollars when what they have works fine.
I'm sooo glad I got a Technet sub. I wouldn't have paid for win7 anyway but at least now I may be able to help a couple of people to upgrade their machines.

The ones that are going to want to upgrade (Ma & Pa Machines) are the ones who buy a new PC or Laptop and then want to connect them up to each other and find they can't use Homegroup....so they will ask around and then look at upgrading....hopefully by that time it will be a bit cheaper.
Most of M$ sales initially are going to be on new machines, at least in Countries like Australia where there are no incentive deals to promote upgrading.

 

[darkmax]

have you guys ever considered that the difference in pricing may be due to your "local" office? Microsoft Australia has always been known to make their own pricing policies you know.

 

[andych]

have you guys ever considered that the difference in pricing may be due to your "local" office? Microsoft Australia has always been known to make their own pricing policies you know.

And your point is????
It makes no difference if the price level is set from Australia, USA or China, it is still set by Microsoft as they are one in the same.
The bottom line is that it is still more expensive here in relative terms than in other Countries and we do not (as yet) get any special Pre-Order deals.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I too find this very un-fair; y'all should have the same pricing as the rest of us, especially the pre-order offers; TechNet is the way to go.




















Later :shock: Ted

 

[themouse]

This technet sub sounds good but......

From what I have been told, you can only use the software as long as yuo have the subscription. If you cancel you are no longer licensed to use it so in others words you have to give it back. One years sub is not going to cut it.

 

[andych]

This technet sub sounds good but......

From what I have been told, you can only use the software as long as yuo have the subscription. If you cancel you are no longer licensed to use it so in others words you have to give it back. One years sub is not going to cut it.

Not the case....the keys and software are not time limited in any way.
There is another thread all about Technet....have a look there.

 

[darkmax]

And your point is????
It makes no difference if the price level is set from Australia, USA or China, it is still set by Microsoft as they are one in the same.
The bottom line is that it is still more expensive here in relative terms than in other Countries and we do not (as yet) get any special Pre-Order deals.

No. Each local office has a certain amount of control over their pricing method.

 

[andych]

No. Each local office has a certain amount of control over their pricing method.

I am really not sure what you mean by no! :huh:
It doesn't matter if it is Microsoft Australia or Microsoft USA.....the prices are what they are and they are set by....wait for it....Microsoft.

 

[darkmax]

sigh.... never mind. I forgot this is a tech forum.

 

[tw33k]

I too find this very un-fair; y'all should have the same pricing as the rest of us, especially the pre-order offers; TechNet is the way to go.




















Later :shock: Ted

yep which is why I got one and will be putting it to good use once win7 and office 2010 are available

 

[ttremeth]

Not the case....the keys and software are not time limited in any way.
There is another thread all about Technet....have a look there.

The keys are for testing purposes only. "Evaluation" and not personal use. I used a work one to get the image and will rearm until my keys arrive from the US. (pre-ordered on the special price via a US agent)

On another point, Having used win7 RC for a quite a while now on 2 machines and having just installed the RTM, win7 really is just what vista should have been.Really it looks like vista.

Pricing is a letdown for us Aussies. My guess is that family pack will not be here either. The reason is because we are a much smaller market and perhaps the traditional shrink rapped retailers need protection...Who knows?

 

[fseal]

Out of curiosity, how is "sales tax/VAT" paid in australia?

Also, anyone know what MS's inport duties are?

In some countries, certain random and infathomable insane inport duties are levied. Mostly due to political trade warring, somtimes decades old...

 

[dmex]

Out of curiosity, how is "sales tax/VAT" paid in australia?

Also, anyone know what MS's inport duties are?

In some countries, certain random and infathomable insane inport duties are levied. Mostly due to political trade warring, somtimes decades old...

The US and Australia have a free trade agreement, theres no import tax but there is GST (goods and services tax) we pay when we buy it from the shelf

 

[fseal]

K so it's added after the advertised price like in the US then?

People frequently forget to subtract VAT from the advertised price (and sometimes even the echange rate) when comparing US to XX prices

But if it's after then yeah, that's an honest price hike (Well at $50 it would not cover any normal VAT completely anyway)

 

[Snufffed]

Yikes, I get stuff from China, Canada, Australia all the time...
My senders simply mark "GIFT" on the package... There is no TAX that way. Has been for many years. PS: The local post master says 'Its LEGAL since I do not have a RETAIL SALES License. " and I am not violating any US, Local or State Laws that he is aware of.

 

[Stranger]

The US and Australia have a free trade agreement, theres no import tax but there is GST (goods and services tax) we pay when we buy it from the shelf

As an ex Customs officer who ahs worked in import duty evaluation areas I can assure you that the free trade agreement does not mean anything that comes from the USA is duty free. Software, however is duty free, no matter where you get it from.

Regarding the suggestion of using the "gift" label, this will not produce any special benefit under Australian situations. On the other hand, unless the value of the goods is greater than $1000AUD there will be no import duty anyway, though you may possibly be slugged for GST, and that (believe me on this one) will largely depend on the mood of the officer doing the evaluation.