In Reply to: Okay, so explain to me.... posted by Ariom on Thursday, 26. March 2009 at 06:19 Bali Time:
I believe it is much cheaper to travel to Bali than to Holiday within Australia. Sure you have the expense of airfares and accommodation but if I were to travel to far north Queensland or Perth for a holiday the airfare may come in a little cheaper but the accommodation and cost of living would far outweigh what it would cost in Bali.
As for items being cheaper there or here well most Bali items being sold in Australia are hugely expensive compared to Bali Prices. Eg : Little girls Fairy dresses 25 - 30,000 Rupiah (3-4 Aus $) in Australia seen them selling for Aus $ 30 to 42.00.
Just last week enquired about little girls sequin shoes in a Ballet shop in Geelong $45.00 Aus made on the Island of Bali and you wouldn't pay more than $10.00 for them in Bali. Whenever I see a shop that has Bali made items in it I always go in and have a look for curiosity at the prices. I can tell you if the store holders could get the same prices in Bali for their product we would be in huge trouble.
Spiderman, Batman, Superman dressups 25 to 30,000 Rupiah (Aus$3-4)
Snow White, Ariel dressups 70,000 Rupiah (Aus $10.00)
Ladies Dresses 35,000 to 50,000 Rupiah (Aus $ 4 - 5.50)
Girls Sequin Dresses 25,000 Rupiah (Aus $3.50)
Girls Sequin Thongs 10-15,000 Rupiah (Under Aus $2.00)
Kids Tshirt and short sets 25-35,000 Rupiah (Aus $3-5.00)
Kids Satin Dressing gowns 30,000 Rupiah (Aus $ 4.00)
Sarongs 20-30,000 Rupiah (Aus $2.50-3.00)
and heaps more.
I will never buy Bali items in Australia because of the prices charged here. I also understand that people importing have duties and taxes they have to cover however the mark up is often huge like 10 times or more than what is paid for the item. Anyway each to their own