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Rank: I'm new around here
Joined: 4/22/2008
Posts: 23
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Microsoft must think Australians are loaded. Why is it we must always pay more?
Amazon.com have pre-order Upgrade versions of Windows 7 Home Premium Edition for only $49US, and $99US for the Professional Version. Unfortunately they won't ship them outside of the US.
In Australia, I haven't noticed any pre-order sales yet and the current RRP of the Home Premium Upgrade Edition will be $199 and a whopping $399 for the professional edition.
I take it there will be absolutely no differences in the Australian sold software from the US version, so why should there be such a difference in the price?
I think it will make a lot of sense to buy it in the end in the US and get it sent over here. Microsoft Australia seem to be thieves indeed, every time I've ever seen pricing comparisons, Australia always comes out a bad loser.
Anyone know where I can pre-order A copy from America that will ship over here?
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Rank: Technician
Joined: 7/7/2008
Posts: 221
Location: Melbourne
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and you wonder why they THINK Australia are Pirating the software - Maybe because M$ make the price to high for the average consumer? hmm ... They make the prices higher "due to Piracy" but that just encourages it -stupid catch 22 situation ... bad marketing ploy too - if M$ want people to buy it retail then they should make the price more accessible tpo the consumer not make it an over expensive experience. Can't see how they can really truthfully justify the major pricing difference between US and Australia - the Australian version isn't even produced in the US to start with - Here in the Oceania region.
Really if M$ want us to buy the retail version they should make it available at a reasonable cost not the over the top profit making ...
...madness be my friend...
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Rank: I'm new around here
Joined: 7/8/2009
Posts: 20
Location: Adelaide
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** This is not an official Microsoft Answer. If you want the Microsoft answer, contact their consumer department on 13 20 58 in australia. - I am not going to defend Microsoft here however there are some home truths. Firstly, there can be differences in shipped products throughout the world. Take the Vista basic which was available in 3rd world nations. We never saw it in Australia. Note also the different rules for allowing the export of encryption algorithms out of the USA and into other countries. There are also strict rules in “grey” imports, importing from unofficial channels and support. Australia Microsoft do not have to support you if you imported the software yourself. They will know from the key, where it came from. Most Australia software packaging is shipped flat packed to Singapore, marked as made in Singapore, Disks manufactured, assembled and then shipped to the Australian distributers. It is a different supply channel with different costs in getting the product to us. I have some doubt a US upgrade would upgrade from an Aussie OS key on your current system. That remains to be seen. The full product cost (not the upgrades) has to cover the last 5 or more years of research that has gone into the release. There are close to 30,000 people at Redmond working away, doing research and testing, working with OEM’s etc, all of which Microsoft pay and then recoup the costs in the following 2-3 years (or more) when the product sells. Yes, the packaging and disks costs little to make but the licensing and R&D time needs to be paid for. With the Aussie costs, Microsoft’s pricing team sits down every 6 months to make the decisions as to what the cost will be for the next 6 months. The costs does not fluctuate with the Aussie dollar. This pricing method is not used worldwide. There are different pricing strategies used in different locations. Some strategies take into account the local economy and what is truly affordable in any region. Microsoft staff and support mechanisms cost more and less in some countries. This support system needs to be paid for. Having said all this, yes, Microsoft software is generally dearer in Australia. It is something we all have to live with. They are not simply profiteering, the pricing system is very complicated and takes many twists and turns. I am also envious of the cheaper prices overseas however, if people stop buying locally, the Aussie support will dry up. We have already seen the large number of layoffs at Microsoft. Many of my friends there have moved on 
Michael Jenkin (Mickyj) www.mickyj.com (Community website) *5 times Microsoft MVP award winner *MacWorld Australia contributer *APAC Vice Chairman Culminis (Pro IT User group support system) *Director Business Technology Partners Microsoft Small Business Specialist
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Rank: I'm new around here
Joined: 4/22/2008
Posts: 23
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mickyj wrote:** - I am not going to defend Microsoft here.... You could have fooled me... mickyj wrote: however there are some home truths. Firstly, there can be differences in shipped products throughout the world. You can't be serious. Your argument is as thin as water from the outset. There are differences between the US version of Windows 7 Home premium and the Australian version of the same product? No, I don't think so. And even if there was a few inconsequential differences, that would justify a price doubling? I won't even begin to talk of 3rd world nations as they are totally irrelevant to this debate. mickyj wrote: Note also the different rules for allowing the export of encryption algorithms out of the USA and into other countries. There are also strict rules in “grey” imports, importing from unofficial channels and support. Australia Microsoft do not have to support you if you imported the software yourself. They will know from the key, where it came from. Most Australia software packaging is shipped flat packed to Singapore, marked as made in Singapore, Disks manufactured, assembled and then shipped to the Australian distributers. It is a different supply channel with different costs in getting the product to us. Blah, blah, blah. I'm not talking of rules. A bad rule is a bad rule. And "different supply channels with different costs in getting the product to us" is corporate nonsense speak. Do you really think the average pc enthusiast is too stupid to realise the costs in producing the dvd software package for the Australian market is basically no different than the costs incurred in any other country. And besides, manufacturing costs as negligible here. It's not the dvd we are paying for, it's the licensing of the software. mickyj wrote:I have some doubt a US upgrade would upgrade from an Aussie OS key on your current system. That remains to be seen. Are you sure you don't work for Microsoft Micky? mickyj wrote:The full product cost (not the upgrades) has to cover the last 5 or more years of research that has gone into the release. There are close to 30,000 people at Redmond working away, doing research and testing, working with OEM’s etc, all of which Microsoft pay and then recoup the costs in the following 2-3 years (or more) when the product sells. Yes, the packaging and disks costs little to make but the licensing and R&D time needs to be paid for. ...and Microsoft's profit last year was only a paltry few billion? Or was it a few hundred million below that? Oh, the poor dears are going broke... mickyj wrote:With the Aussie costs, Microsoft’s pricing team sits down every 6 months to make the decisions as to what the cost will be for the next 6 months. The costs does not fluctuate with the Aussie dollar. This pricing method is not used worldwide. There are different pricing strategies used in different locations. Some strategies take into account the local economy and what is truly affordable in any region. Microsoft staff and support mechanisms cost more and less in some countries. This support system needs to be paid for.
Absolute waffle. mickyj wrote:Having said all this, yes, Microsoft software is generally dearer in Australia. It is something we all have to live with. They are not simply profiteering, the pricing system is very complicated and takes many twists and turns. I am also envious of the cheaper prices overseas however, if people stop buying locally, the Aussie support will dry up. We have already seen the large number of layoffs at Microsoft. Many of my friends there have moved on I shed a tear for your friends, but your arguments are ridiculous. The ONLY thing the consumer cares for in the end is a reasonable price for a reasonable product. Microsoft Australia sticking it to us because THEY CAN, in nothing short of blatant profiteering, or dreadful over-pricing to make up for appalling mismanagement. Either way, they expect the consumer to wear their poor business model. We don't care. If they can sell it in the US for $99, that's where a lot of people will buy it. IT'S THE SAME PRODUCT. If we truly lived in a globalized world, then why should we pay through the nose to keep Microsoft Australia's office open. Who would care anyway? Like I mean Microsoft support - isn't that a contradiction in terms? When was the last time anyone rang Microsoft and got any help? I reject your arguments completely Mickey. There might be issues that I am not aware of, and maybe they are not just gouging us, but my point is not about that. My point is that that's simply not good enough. You can't sell the same product in the US and expect us to be happy about paying double for it here. All your arguments miss that point. ---end of rant---
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Rank: I'm new around here
Joined: 8/7/2009
Posts: 2
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I already paid for the half-price of Windows 7. I also don't think that there are differences between the US version of Windows 7 Home premium and the Australian version of the same product. Somehow, this even sounds funny  Edited by ZetB: 7/8/2009 05:22:52 PM
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Rank: Troubleshooter
Joined: 4/16/2008
Posts: 39
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 Of course you could always subscribe to MS TechNet to get access to every version of their non gaming software, however it is to be used as evaluation software. Sure beats the hell out of pirating. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/securedownloads/bb892754.aspxAnd you get access to Windows 7 now.  I have W7 Ultimate (x86) installed on 2 old P4 computers currently, got to say I am quietly impressed.
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Rank: Technician
Joined: 7/7/2008
Posts: 221
Location: Melbourne
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Dinks-c wrote: Of course you could always subscribe to MS TechNet to get access to every version of their non gaming software, however it is to be used as evaluation software. Sure beats the hell out of pirating. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/securedownloads/bb892754.aspxAnd you get access to Windows 7 now. I have W7 Ultimate (x86) installed on 2 old P4 computers currently, got to say I am quietly impressed. All good and above board but if you let your subscription lapse you have to, under the terms and conditions, uninstall any software you got from the technet account... btw there is a 30% off code floating around and I can confirm it works 
...madness be my friend...
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Rank: Technician
Joined: 7/7/2008
Posts: 221
Location: Melbourne
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ZetB wrote:I already paid for the half-price of Windows 7. I also don't think that there are differences between the US version of Windows 7 Home premium and the Australian version of the same product. Somehow, this even sounds funny Edited by ZetB: 7/8/2009 05:22:52 PM Might be the activation server setup is directed to M$ Australia not US *shrugs* only thing I can think of..
...madness be my friend...
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Rank: Technician
Joined: 7/7/2008
Posts: 221
Location: Melbourne
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...double post crap...
Edited by mordie: 14/8/2009 01:48:13 PM
...madness be my friend...
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Rank: Technician
Joined: 7/7/2008
Posts: 221
Location: Melbourne
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NOTE TO the PC Authority Magazine Editor: Just got the latest edition in the mail and noticed in the "Marketplace" section a software seller advertising Windows 7 update and FULL retail versions of the different versions does not mention that the software isn't available until the 22nd of October! ... More interesing this is after I have had Email conversations with the MS Australia team telling me that the ONLY way we Australians can get Win7 pre-ordered was via the upgrade option from "selected" Vista editions that have the upgrade path for free (hmm actually $29 ish for the media but hey who's looking) Windows 7 (you have to do some hoop jumping though).. MS confirmed that we cannot pre-order it anyway (maybe "closer to release date" )as yet. Also MS Australia which has a link to the UK MS store that does show pre-order deals has confirmed we can't get it from the UK store. UK MS also confirmed this via email. USA MS store which also is running a pre-sale deal isn't allowing anyone but North Americas to purchase a pre-order now... So it begs the question: why is an Australia software store in a major PC Magazine in a Australia advertising Windows 7 upgrade and FULL retail versions of the software when it is in no way going to be released until 22nd OCT ?... This is NOT OEM or RTM advertisment! You might want to check it before you publish the next market place ad of theirs in next months edition... Mordie PS: yes I know the Mag is Oct Edition but it's out in Sept. so people will ring them thinking it's available becuase it's been advertised in a Magazine right now! Edited by mordie: 1/9/2009 09:17:16 PM Edit is for fixing the grammer and other spelling Edited by mordie: 2/9/2009 07:29:32 AM
...madness be my friend...
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Rank: Troubleshooter
Joined: 4/16/2008
Posts: 39
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Rank: Technician
Joined: 7/11/2008
Posts: 225
Location: Gippsland, Victoria
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What's that got to do with WIN7?
If it can't be fixed with old fencing wire, buy some new fencing wire...
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Rank: Elite
Moderator
Joined: 7/11/2008
Posts: 1,176
Location: Mackay North QLD
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win 7 is supposed to be made available to people with a .edu email account for about $30 soon.
I believe the yanks, poms and Canadians have access to it already.
And the office offer is great to, though somewhat irrelevant to this thread.
Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from.
Ask questions. There's no such thing as a stupid one, just stupid answers. (mostly)
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Rank: Technician
Joined: 7/11/2008
Posts: 225
Location: Gippsland, Victoria
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Well that sounds awesome. Especially seeing as I have already got one of them accounts.
If it can't be fixed with old fencing wire, buy some new fencing wire...
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Rank: Moderator
Joined: 3/30/2008
Posts: 802
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Windows 7 is free for some uni students, if your university is part of MSDNAA.
Vito Cassisi: Tech Blog
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Rank: Technician
Joined: 7/11/2008
Posts: 225
Location: Gippsland, Victoria
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ohhhh, not fair!!!!
good marketing though.
If it can't be fixed with old fencing wire, buy some new fencing wire...
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