During a recent radio interview with ABC Sydney, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak slammed the Cupertino company’s “horrible” prices down under, which force consumers to pay large premiums for its latest devices. Woz’s comments come after several technology giants have come under fire from Australian consumers and its government over price discrimination.
Woz feels that companies like Apple “shouldn’t have boundaries between countries,” and that products should be priced fairly across the board.
While he was keen not to enter a political discussion during his interview, Woz did say that “it’s just horrible” that some countries must pay large premiums for devices when companies are now able to “ship anything anywhere in the world for almost nothing.”
Woz continued:
The large duties in Australia I’m sure I would not favor. Maybe in some countries the people are very happy and feel very well off because of the protections… but I just think it’s horrible.
The Next Web notes that the price of an unlocked iPhone 4S in the United States costs $649, which seems expensive until you consider that consumers must pay A$799 down under. When you convert that figure into U.S. dollars, it quickly turns into $803, which means a large difference of $154.
But fortunately for those in Australia, the government is hoping to crackdown on price discrimination on digital goods, with investigations to determine why Australian customers must pay more than those overseas for devices, software, and music from companies like Apple, Adobe, and Microsoft.
Source: ABC Sydney
Via: The Next Web
18 responses to “Steve Wozniak Slams Apple’s “Horrible” Prices Down Under”
same as in europe 599 euro equals 775dollars for an iphone 4s 16gb
In Turkey, iphone 4s 16gb is 1050 usd.
So Woz flew all the way to Australia to find out about it? /sarcasm
why dont Woz stop complaining and go back to Apple and make the stuff better ?!
the A$799 include the VAT. In the US, it is $649 plus tax.
Here in Brazil we pay $1331.45 for an iPhone 4S 16Gb
well, if the dollar conversion sucks because they aren’t mfg in that country, then Apple has to figure out if it makes sense to begin mfg in that country, but it is probably going to affect the competition the same.
Woz, before you open your mouth, maybe find out WHY the iPhone costs more in the other country and if Apple can actually do much to prevent the higher prices. They do have minimum profit margins they want/need to make.
Didn’t Woz used to fly snow to his property for Christmas? Not exactly normal or cost effective. It’s probably cheaper to buy a winter house in Tahoe.
drblank, you really have no idea about Australia do you?
Australia for a long time has been highly regarded for it’s achievements and research in the areas of technology, health and science.
Next time you start carrying on like an idiot, make sure you actually know what you are talking about!
Woz really needs to quit drinking (which could explain the whole Kathy Griffin episode).
yep, although it’s not that bad because everyone forgets that taxes aren’t included in the US price but are in the UK price which has a massive 20% tax.
The answer is actually very simple: Taxes and duties.
again, You have to ask your own government to open up your market by loosening protectionism.
By keeping taxes so high for premium-electronic goods, your government is trying to achieve 2 things:
1: Curtail consumerism, so that the Brazilians do not splash cash on these products but would keep their monies in the bank instead.
2: To suck on the rich and wealthy. Due to Brazil’s high income disparity, where the rich are super rich and the poor are super poor, the government wants to get most taxes out of the rich Brazilians.
Don’t forget Autodesk:
Woz after some attention again? Sad little man.
If it’s too much, then don’t buy it. Companies only listen with their wallets. If they arent getting money they will drop the price