When a list member recently asked if there were any discounts for WAMUG members he raised an interesting subject. For as long as there have been Macs on sale in this country, those who have dealt in them seem to have adhered rigidly to a fixed price scheme, with no apparent competitiveness between dealers. I have often wondered if some sort of retail price agreement operates. Is it a breach of the trade practices act? Should some offended consumer send a query to Allan Felds and the ACCC? The argument that "there is hardly any margin on macs" has long been used as an excuse for non-discounting. Yet just about every other consumer device in the electronics arena can have its price negotiated between buyer and seller.
Members of the working class might not know that there is a second cheaper price list for people having an association with a university. This saves quite a bit on the price in the street. Even former attendees of a university can get this discounted price by being a member of their alumni association. WA universities recognise each others members too. While I have purchased computers this way in the past I have always felt it unfair that the working taxpayers who largely pay for these institutions to exist are not permitted to access the discounted prices. My feeling is that it could be timely for some consumer to ask the ACCC for their opinion on Mac pricing. All it takes is a phone call and a follow-up letter. The number is in the phone book. Consumers should rule - OK. Regards, Paul.
