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Hoger said..

Both these additional Ion purchases were also from the UK, but I was due some new boardies (after 8 years I think) and bought three new pairs of boardshorts through the Quiksilver Australian website to keep the locals happy:)

Hoges, keep "locals" happy ? qsilver was taken over by a US conglomerate many years ago, profits go to the US. The qsilver online shop/website ships (free postage) Asian made products out of a distribution warehouse in Geelong, Vic. If you want to keep your locals happy buy from them, the small independent surfshops. Until recently I've always bought surf products locally for the last 35 years, now I look online first.

Its amazes me that a well known UK site can sell the latest Ripcurl and Qsilver wettys substantially cheaper to customers in the UK and EU than they are sold here, but those two brands are now "geographically blocked" to Australian consumers from the UK site, the power to dictate customer sales by the surf moguls is global. Why not give Aussies the same prices here ? Eg a 2015 ripcurl ebomb on the UK site = $350 aud and free delivery, here in Oz direct from ripcurl $530, how's that for looking after the local customers who were loyal and made the company.

so do as the surf brand moguls do (who decide on employment and production to maximise their corporate profits not individuals/communities ) look after your own financial interests and spend/buy where you want, to maximise your income.

Note I recently bought a qsilver wetty on sale locally (after the mystic purchase) purely based on "best available price" at the time

Mmmm...look everyone should be thrifty in this post-GFC World (but after 25 years in business I doubt the GFC and its effects are over but that is another discussion) and I am the first to try local but you are right, after years of feeling a bit ripped off as the consumer it does indeed pay to shop around...I certainly do some internet searching for physical items I am keen to purchase but am happy to pay a premium for a service like the Doctor whom removed my son's adenoids and the other whom delivered said son and his younger brother...there are definitely times I feel I am doing my bit for the Nation though with my effective rate of personal income tax I pay with portions above 45% and the oft forgotten 10% GST along the way...ain't kiting a great way to forget all of life's stresses though!!!???