Just months after our Tasman neighbours won bragging rights for winning the Rugby World Cup, our Kiwi cousins have another trophy to hold over our heads – they can now purchase the Android-based Kobo Vox tablet from retailer Whitcoulls. The good news is that Aussies can still pre-order…
While Kobo has been reluctant to shout about the new tablet reader, we’ve known for some time that it features a 7-inch screen, 8GB of storage and wifi on board. The New Zealand version – which will sell for $NZ399 ($302), comes with pre-loaded entertainment apps, plus the ability to create social networks built on your reading preferences. [Whitcoulls]
With the collapse of Borders earlier this year, it’s not surprising that Australia isn’t at the top of the pecking order to get their hands on the new Vox tablet, but it’s still heartbreaking to watch New Zealand get something before us.
Note: Aussies can pre-order the Kobo Vox over at Collins Australia for $269. Could be an interesting option because while the Kindle Fire looks great, it’s not likely to come to Australia anytime soon. Or…could it?
Krispy5
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 11:32 AM$NZ 399?!? it is $199 in the US… conversion to $NZ = approx $255, add 15% GST and it is around $NZ 295… where did the extra $100 come from?
Ash
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 11:43 AMhave you seen how far NZ is from the US, there is that WHOLE ocean for the tablet to swim across… surely that’s worth $100 for the effort
/sarcasm
Drew
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 11:49 AM*sigh*
Higher wages in Australia and New Zealand
Higher freight and logics cost due to locality, + higher wages
Lower volume
More middle men
Plus a plethora of other reasons
Drew
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 11:50 AMIf you want cheaper things go live in America and then call to tell me how much better Australia is. That is if you can find a job so you can pay your phone bill in the first place.
Theophilus
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 12:09 PMAgree Drew, better off paying an extra $100 here or NZ than live in the US and not have the $199 to buy one.
Krispy5
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 12:11 PMBut the pricing for the touch screen Kobo seems to work out about right?
bazuden
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 12:50 PMI don’t buy the freight/shipping excuse for price hikes in Oz/NZ. These and most other electronics are made in Asia, and I’m sure we are closer to Asia than the US is.
Drew
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 1:01 PMIt is not just about getting it to Australia or New Zealand it is about shipping it around the country once it land on our shores.
Our dock workers are paid more than overseas, our couriers are paid more than overseas, you are paid more than overseas. It all adds up in the end.
Krispy5
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 1:06 PMso why the disparity between the pricing for the kobo touch and the vox? i.e. a 30% comparitive difference
Thom
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 1:29 PMOur population density is actually far higher than the US. Its got nothing to do with shipping.
Drew
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 2:00 PMThe wages through the whole process are higher… Thus higher cost from the factory to your hands….
You do realise that they employ people that get paid money right? Its not magic.
Krispy5
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 2:15 PMbut the price of the kobo touch in the new zealand store is spot on (assuming 15% GST) while the kobo vox has a 36% higher price… in the same new zealand store… if the difference was purely due to rent/wage considerations i would expect the kobo touch to be 36% higher as well.
Drew
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 2:27 PMThey would have gotten in more of the standard model than the fancy one and probably got it into a better price break thus the vendor would have changed them more per unit to get the fancy one in lower quantity.
Don’t worry I have an answer for everything.
Krispy5
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 3:22 PMSince you have an answer for everything you MUST be right ;)
Drew
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 5:23 PMMust be.
Drew
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 11:34 AMNew Zealand seems to be getting a lot of things today.
panderiz
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 12:10 PMcheck out the new Novo 7 Advanced, 7″ tab running IceCream Sandwich, $100
Jon G.
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 2:38 PMThe biggest reason for price discrepancies between NZ and US is that NZ retailers take much bigger margins than US retailers – costs from electronic manufacturers are pretty much the same across the board. I know as i’m in the industry.
Drew
Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 5:23 PMProbably to cover the higher costs of doing business, and lower volume.
jj
Friday, December 9, 2011 at 6:39 AMSaw the price tag for the vox at officeworks yesterday doncaster or collingwood, but no hardware on display…i didnt know what it was…. And i cant remember the price 2** I was looking at getting the kobo touch