Rant - discounting (or the lack of)

[2careless]

Well, the pen shops in Australia don't discount MB. period.
I rang several ADs in Australia asking them if they have received the latest Thomas Mann WE LE pen. Nope, none of them has received a Mann fountain pen. The only thing they have are rollers and ballpen.
When I asked if they discount, none of them offered and said that MB keeps a tight leash on their margins so they can't discount profitably. What a load of bollocks!

I think the ACCC (our competition watchdog) should take a look into the relationship between MB and the ADs, especially relating to the Trade Practices Act (e.g. a manufacturer is not allowed to set a floor price of their goods to the retailers, or penalise the retailers if they see fit to discount).
Who would be willing to pay A$1400 for the Mann FP while I can get it for USD 825 (A$900)? Even the US retail price of USD960 sounds very cheap compared to the money MB Australia is charging (A$1400) for the Mann.

[2th Dr]

None of the ADs That I've been to here in the States will give a discount either, and I've been to quite a few.

[Taffi Abernathy]

I got my recent MB rollerball at a marked reduction from an authorized MB dealer. He was very willing to negotiate. My recommendation is that you look at those pen shops that I and other members have listed. Call and ask to speak directly with the owner. Trust me, you will receive a very fair price. If you need more specific information, send me a PM.

[shandy]

We do get discounts here in Canada but they are rare.The discount capitol of the world seems to be the US, obviously our cousins to the south are far more savvy on demanding discounts

I always ask for discount even if it ends up being a bottle of ink! The pen store where are pen club meetings are held gives members 15% discount which is the best in the city bar one fellow on Robson street who will give up to 30% on Mont Blanc.

If it were me and I lived in Aus then I would be using Fed-Ex a lot!

[daytona_mania]

sorry guys i know this is a pen thread BUT........this goes for everything in Australia!

rolex,
porsches, BMWs etc etc..
MB,
computers,

seriously if it weren't for the security Australia provides I would be so outta here....actually its getting worse.......

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by daytona_mania

sorry guys i know this is a pen thread BUT........this goes for everything in Australia!

rolex,
porsches, BMWs etc etc..
MB,
computers,

seriously if it weren't for the security Australia provides I would be so outta here....actually its getting worse.......

But you practically have a monopoly on Marsupials!

[Denny M]

Originally Posted by daytona_mania

sorry guys i know this is a pen thread BUT........this goes for everything in Australia!

rolex,
porsches, BMWs etc etc..
MB,
computers,

seriously if it weren't for the security Australia provides I would be so outta here....actually its getting worse.......

Not to mention fashion here in Australia is 20 years behind the rest of the world. Clothing and shoe choice is very limited and way, way over-priced. From now on i do my clothes/shoe shopping overseas.

Funny enough it's very difficult to get a discount on MB even in Hong Kong.

[Tombstone]

Sorry about the troubles you are having. I can say this with pride I love Australia and her people. I have a deep respect for Australia I do feel Australia is one of the finest lands on this earth and I am happy Australia and America have had and continue to haveoutstanding relationships over the years. Cheers to Australia.

Don't feel to bad about the pen thing I am using a bic pen .67 cents.

[Lol-x]

The AUD is so strong at the moment you could get a good deal anywhere in the world

[swatty]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

The AUD is so strong at the moment you could get a good deal anywhere in the world

You guys need to bargain more

[Kokyuryoku]

Originally Posted by Taffi Abernathy

But you practically have a monopoly on Marsupials!

Yeah, but they're really hard to fit in your wallet and the ADs don't accept them as down payments.

Back on track, Japan is very similar. Most decent pen shops are part of the larger department stores and they never discount. However, smaller shops privately owned usually give a reasonable price.

[2careless]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

The AUD is so strong at the moment you could get a good deal anywhere in the world

Well, if it weren't the AUD being so high, do you think I'd pull the trigger on the Proust and Regent?
I bargain a lot already. It's no point speaking with some d*heads that recites everything MB has fed into them.

In one of the pen shops, the owner told me they couldn't discount because MB doesn't like it and they would make their life miserable if they discount.

Besides, local MB (even boutiques) can't even get a Thomas Mann FP into the country. Why, because they won't order one in without a customer order.
Looks like Mann will be a best seller.

P.S. they won't bring in the Gandhi pen and ink either. All allocated to overseas.

[Tombstone]

The only discount (and there are few MB models to choose from) I could find today were at Costco. Check Costcos web site they might sell them on line. I know Costco sells some MB in thier stores. Good luck.

[2careless]

Tried Costco Melbourne already. They only have Generations model and only the ballpens. Thanks for the information anyways.
BTW the only Costco currently in Australia is in Melbourne.

[Lol-x]

I already told you Kai..............
I can lead you to water, but I can't make you drink

[2careless]

Yep I hear you Steve... I'm always looking.

[Deep Sea]

I sent two emails this morning to get automated price quotes on MB pens. I got quotes back on the Starwalker line and they both were in the 20%+ range. Since this is my only point of reference, and knowing what others have said about MB AD's unwillingness to discount (in general), I was somewhat surprised.