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Chockstone Forum - Gear Lust / Lost & Found

Rave About Your Rack Please do not post retail SPAM.

Author

How Do You Guys Afford Gear

kyhangdog

20-Nov-2003
2:41:17 AM

I'm a U. S. native and I checked out some gear prices in Australia. Either your economy is vastly different than the U. S., or you guys are rich. Everything in Australia is twice what it costs here. Any ideas why. A friend of mine is a student in Sydney and wants to buy gear, but just can't afford it.

tmarsh

20-Nov-2003
9:05:51 AM

You are aware that we use Australian dollars here, aren't you? They're not worth quite as much as the greenback... Nevertheless, your basic point is valid - gear costs a lot here.

It's not rocket science to work out why. Most climbing gear is manufacturered in the USA or in the European Union. Australia has a population of <20,000,000 people. The percentage of gear buying climbers is pretty f---ing small. When you consider:

(a) The cost of shipping *anything* to Australia,
(b) The small size of the potential market, and lack of economies of scale, and
(c) The occasionally weak Australian dollar

you'll wonder why gear isn't more expensive.

If you are a true friend to your mate in Sydney, you'll buy the gear in the US and mail it to him in a box marked 'gift'. Oh, and mail me some too.

tim

Richard

20-Nov-2003
1:18:23 PM

Allmost all the cams I have bought have been on sale at Paddy Palins - say 30% off, hence the price was actually the same as in the US.

IdratherbeclimbingM9

20-Nov-2003
1:46:27 PM

You are right kyhangdog; it is blerrie expensive, (as most of us are not rich).

Since those of us who purchase it could be considered addicts, more the worry is 'not being able to get our fix'! ie the availability of gear here often leaves a lot to be desired (literally).

If you take up tmarsh's suggestion you could probably make a small fortune being an undercover importer, till our greedy tax man gets onto you.

V

20-Nov-2003
2:50:37 PM

As a uni student climber I've bought nearly everything on sale, heavily reduced, using money saved from part time jobs. That means most of my gear is clunky, discontinued lines and so forth, as opposed to the light weight, cutting edge stuff such as wire gate draws and 9.8mm ropes.
I've accumulated quite a lot of gear by being patient and getting it on sale, or from friends who can get good deals. I once worked out with a spreadsheet how much I spent on my rock and ice racks combined, and you'd be amazed how inexpensively it can be done. I'm delaying my debut into aid climbing until I can get a full time job though... ;-)

kyhangdog

21-Nov-2003
1:37:27 AM

I think I will buy the gear here and send it as a "gift." I'll be honest though, your dollar symbol is the same as the U. S., so I thought it was American dollars. But, geez, it's still crazy. If anyone needs anything let me know. I'll get it for you.

nmonteith

21-Nov-2003
9:52:56 AM

I never pay retail for anything. I just wait for the big sales, buy it second hand or just fix up and keep using the same old crap that i bought ten years ago. It is certianly worth waiting for the sales if you want chepa gear. A VCC membership also gives a guaranteed 10% off any shop in Vic.

Rich

21-Nov-2003
1:00:38 PM

same dollar symbol.. hehe :-0

Setha

22-Nov-2003
12:47:20 AM

One word: LAY-BY (or does that count as two? :-p)

There are 9 messages in this topic.