Amazon vs "Local"

I actually used to buy from the likes of Amazon and eBay but this thread has made me realize that Takealot has got me real good - I've become addicted to the instant gratification. I can pay for it tonight and open the box tomorrow. Hard to beat that speed for online orders though I should try and control myself for larger purchases methinks.
 
Brewmaster said:
Sure I can understand Amazon getting better discounts than local places but how can those discounts + customs duties + shipping still work out cheaper than local prices? Something ain't right.
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1) Amazon is probably wholesaler + retailer
2) I wouldn't be surprised if SA wholesalers have sole import rights on some goods, forcing retailers to go through them, hence additional markups for consumers
3) Shipping + customs is going to be the same for everyone - Amazon leverages free space on transports that would be coming this way anyway, as well as their huge purchasing power of course vs locals doing containers or whatever bulk method they use

The thing is if there truly was a way for retailers to shave off 10%, and still make enough profit to be viable they would do it in a heart beat since they'd capture the entire market. But I know from speaking to 4 online electronics store owners, their markups are between 4-11% iirc, dependant on the item (so nothing outlandish)
 
Archer said:
1) Amazon is probably wholesaler + retailer
2) I wouldn't be surprised if SA wholesalers have sole import rights on some goods, forcing retailers to go through them, hence additional markups for consumers
3) Shipping + customs is going to be the same for everyone - Amazon leverages free space on transports that would be coming this way anyway, as well as their huge purchasing power of course vs locals doing containers or whatever bulk method they use

The thing is if there truly was a way for retailers to shave off 10%, and still make enough profit to be viable they would do it in a heart beat since they'd capture the entire market. But I know from speaking to 4 online electronics store owners, their markups are between 4-11% iirc, dependant on the item (so nothing outlandish)
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I also believe that the problem lies with our wholesalers. Sadly the only way for them to feel the pinch is if we put pressure on our retailers so that they may in turn put pressure on the wholesalers. Easiest way for us to put pressure on retailers is to import.

But I'll bet that if the wholesalers start losing enough business due to people importing, they'll just lobby guavamint to make it harder for individuals to import instead of being more competitive.
 
Brewmaster said:
I also believe that the problem lies with our wholesalers. Sadly the only way for them to feel the pinch is if we put pressure on our retailers so that they may in turn put pressure on the wholesalers. Easiest way for us to put pressure on retailers is to import.

But I'll bet that if the wholesalers start losing enough business due to people importing, they'll just lobby guavamint to make it harder for individuals to import instead of being more competitive.
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Yup, good luck trying to import clothing. You get massive customs on it since our local clothing production market is protected.
 
Brewmaster said:
I noticed that Amazon ships most electronic goodies to SA now, and I was in the market for a few new toys (wireless KB & mouses, SSD and other smaller accessories).

I ended up comparing Amazon with Rebel Tech, Wootware and Takealot and to my surprise, Amazon ended up being a whole R1k cheaper (R6.4k with shipping and customs fees vs R7.4k). What's the point of buying local then? The instant gratification?

Needless to say I ordered from Amazon and that will be my default shop until the local guys shape up. I'm buying on a small quantity retail level, while they buy large quantities at wholesale level (bulk discounts, not to mention bulk shipping discounts as well), but somehow it costs less for me to import. I'm disgusted TBH.
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So apparently I'll be getting over $60 worth of import fees refunded for this order, making Amazon almost R2k cheaper than if I had bought locally. And my stuff arrived in 7 working days. And the Logitech keyboards have long shift keys .
 
Wow that's great man. Do you filter products that "ship to South Africa" first then buy?
 
Joker said:
Thier return policy is amazing. I ordered a monitor which I received last week with defects. They've already shipped a new one and are covering all shipping costs, so it's not costing me a cent... seriously Amazon are eerily amazing with that.

(This was from Amazon direct, not a 3rd party)
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That is a DOA replacement so slightly different to a warranty claim down the road say 9 months or even 18 months on 2yr warranty?

Anyone have experience with those kinds of warranty claims? Does Amazon cover shipping both ways and who pays the duties on the replacement device?

I have had 2 x logitech warranty replacements sent from the Netherlands and both times Customs wanted me to pay duties on the full value, I refused and still got my items not sure how it was resolved.

I have been warned to only order from Amazon, never 3rd party sellers.
 
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