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Aussie distributors are said to be preventing brands from being sold here in a bid to keep the competition out.
Local distributors for major global names are looking to block brands from being sold here; online at lower prices via international websites or “instructing them to sell at higher prices,” reports SMH.
Consumer body, Choice, is calling on the Australian Competition and Consumer and Commission (ACCC) to set up an enquiry into the alleged dodgy practices by local distributors.
Choice spokesperson told SmartHouse it certainly “encourages the ACCC to look at these sorts of activities especially with growth of online shopping, an area that is rapidly expanding.”
However, the consumer advocate say they are not aware of any such practices by distributors per se and have not carried out any investigations into the alleged practices but call on the the ACCC to be “vigilant.”
The cartel-like behaviour is ultimately preventing consumers from getting access to the best prices – something us Aussies have been prevented from for years – with retailers charging sky high prices for everything from clothes, to electronics goods and cars compared to abroad.
The massive price differenciation has been particularly noticable in the advent of online retail and the parity of the Aussie and US dollar.
Apple Co-founder Steve Woznack blasted higher prices charged for Apple goods here just last week, branding them “horrible.”
Read: ‘Woz’ Bags Apple OZ Gouging
Meanwhile the Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy, recently set up a parliamentary enquiry into the extortionate prices Australians are charged for technology and IT goods.
According to Fetch USA, a company which purchases good for Australians who can’t get access to particular good at home, demand has soared 30% since start of the year.
iTunes and Amazon gift cards, Mac cosmetics and Nike shoes are all said to be in high demand by Aussies
