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| What one item in OZ gave you a "Sticker Shock"? | |
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| Topic Started: May 15 2011, 08:57:49 PM (2,117 Views) | |
| NorCalRJ | May 15 2011, 08:57:49 PM Post #1 |
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Anklebiter
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I came into expecting stuff to cost more. But today i bought some chapstick for $5.99 and i guard it with my life now. I wanted to get the Burt's Beewax lipbalm, but $12.99 was a bit rich for my blood. Is there one item you look at just say... i need it, but i refuse to buy it on principle or buy it and just have buyers remorse for days? This chapstick purchase is bugging me. |
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| sheowahya | May 15 2011, 09:33:38 PM Post #2 |
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True Blue Mate
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It's not so much that I "need" it, but it is something that still kills me how much they charge for here, compared to back in the US... Budweiser $17 for a SIX pack of BUDWEISER!! when I left Florida I could get a 12pack for less than $15 I feel your pain. Even after being here for 3 years now I'm STILL having sticker shock  Cheers, Marilyn Edited by sheowahya, May 15 2011, 09:34:13 PM.
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My Timeline ========= Category 136 BN - Skilled Independent. Skills Assessment: Applied ICAA: 13May05 Approved as Accountant 2211-11: 26Feb07 Main Visa Application: Sent to ASPC: 12Mar07 VISA Approved: 07Nov07 Main move to Australia: 17Apr08 Citizenship Application: Applied: 17Apr12 Appointment: 7May12 | |
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| tierneyrb | May 15 2011, 09:52:08 PM Post #3 |
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Chinwagger
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I had to laugh at the Chapstick comment. I guess I won't buy any here because it seems I only buy them to lose them. I can't get past how expensive Cokes are here...or any drink added to a meal, for that matter. Coke are $3.50 in vending machines. I used to work at Coke and got them for free so paying $3.50 makes me mad. A $4.00 coffee, on the other hand, is ok. :-) |
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| Bindie | May 15 2011, 10:11:29 PM Post #4 |
True Blue Mate
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At the moment, bananas at 12.98 a kilo. Chapstick doesn't bother me because it lasts me while. I miss bananas. |
 The future is no place/to place your better days, DMB Canberra, ACT since 2004 | |
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| AmbroseChick | May 15 2011, 10:22:14 PM Post #5 |
True Blue Mate
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When I found out that they were predicting a rise in the banana prices, I went out and bought 4 bunches and froze them so I can at least still cook with them but yes fresh bananas are definitely missed in this house. I refuse to pay $3.50 for a can of refried beans. It has taken me almost 1.5 years to even contemplate going out to dinner. I'm still shocked at the prices of Chinese food - to pay that much and still not get my tea and fortune cookie at the end - feels like such a rip off. We went out for Thai tonight - 2 of us - no drinks, no appetizer, no dessert - $50 thank you very much and it wasn't even very good... yeah... makes me a bit crazy. |
| Check it out! Facebook page: Americans Living in Queensland | |
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| TerritorianTori | May 15 2011, 10:32:37 PM Post #6 |
It couldn't happen here
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Iceberg lettuce costs $3.99 per head up here on a good day. Needless to say, I haven't eaten it in a long time. |
 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| staylor8383 | May 15 2011, 11:12:01 PM Post #7 |
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True Blue Mate
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Toys and alcohol! I don't drink much and I can't figure out how people afford to! Lol! |
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| canaussie | May 15 2011, 11:27:50 PM Post #8 |
True Blue Mate
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Definitely the cost of a can of coke shocked me and still does, especially when I could buy a can for $1.00 at home. I also agree about the bananas $12.98/kg here, I can't remember the last time we had them because I'm refusing to pay that price. Toiletries shocked me....the price of shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste. I'm sure there are more things out there...ie cordless phones  |
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Paula (dual Canadian/Australian) married to an Aussie since 1999 and mummy to an Aussie since 2000 | |
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| pastrycook-136 | May 16 2011, 12:41:51 AM Post #9 |
True Blue Mate
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I was in an appliance store (maybe Harvey Norman?) that had a small display of In Sink Erator garbage disposals. A disposal that would be considered a basic "builders model" in the US and found at Home Depot for around US$45 was priced over A$400. Another model with a higher capacity that might be bit over US$120 was priced over A$700. I'm guessing that not too many Australian homes have a disposal in their kitchen sink. |
| "If you want to gather honey don't kick over the beehive!" | |
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| sunshine | May 16 2011, 03:46:02 AM Post #10 |
True Blue Mate
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I brought Burt's Bees lip balm over with me, but I wound up using it less because I wasn't living in an arid climate anymore. Still glad I've got it though. We're doing DIY renovations and I was blown away by the 4L cans of paint going for $50-70. Makes me less cavalier about choosing my colors that's for damn sure. |
| Steph | |
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| SanDiablo | May 16 2011, 08:34:12 AM Post #11 |
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True Blue Mate
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I opted out of children so I can spend all my toy money on booze. |
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| Mimishuze | May 16 2011, 11:09:29 AM Post #12 |
True Blue Mate
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Well, the prices on everything here really are pretty steep; but I was expecting it so the shock (while still there) wasn't too bad.... Here's what bugs me - I expect to pay a premium for American items that need to be imported here - It would be the same as an Aussie in the States paying a premium at a specialty store for their brands from back home. I don't understand though, how they can charge so much for an "American" brand when it is manufactured right here in NSW! It's not like they have to cover their import costs! Grr..... |
| Gone On a Lucky Country - My Blog About Moving to Australia | |
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| natasha_alena | May 16 2011, 02:02:03 PM Post #13 |
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True Blue Mate
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Budweiser is not brewed here in Australia, it's imported. That's part of the reason it's so expensive here! |
| "You can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather" | |
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| incognito | May 16 2011, 07:57:54 PM Post #14 |
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Chatterbox
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| incognito | May 16 2011, 08:00:22 PM Post #15 |
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Chatterbox
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For me it has been the cost of groceries. It took me well over a year to stop crying at the checkout. Take away costs more than I thought it would also. Needless to say, we have to budget very carefully and we hardly ever get take away. Oh, and the crazy cost of housing. Oy. I expected most other things to be ridiculously expensive.  |
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| TerritorianTori | May 16 2011, 08:47:09 PM Post #16 |
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It couldn't happen here
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Who said toys are only for kids? I still cry every time I think about how much I've paid for my Galaxy Tab and its assorted accessories.
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South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| Cristin | May 16 2011, 09:29:41 PM Post #17 |
True Blue Mate
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Same here, though I find it a tiny bit disturbing that I don't want to cry anymore! The prices look "normal" now ... The thing that still gets me is the cost of concert and theatre tickets. Those still make me want to cry! |
| My Australian Blog - In An Opal Hearted Country | |
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| sheowahya | May 16 2011, 09:56:43 PM Post #18 |
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True Blue Mate
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Am I the ONLY one here who can get bananas for $8.99/kg?? ok... so they're green... I don't mind waiting a few days for them to ripen at that price |
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My Timeline ========= Category 136 BN - Skilled Independent. Skills Assessment: Applied ICAA: 13May05 Approved as Accountant 2211-11: 26Feb07 Main Visa Application: Sent to ASPC: 12Mar07 VISA Approved: 07Nov07 Main move to Australia: 17Apr08 Citizenship Application: Applied: 17Apr12 Appointment: 7May12 | |
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| isabel | May 16 2011, 11:49:00 PM Post #19 |
True Blue Mate
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OMG Bananas!!! When I left last week they were $13.98 a kilo. I went to walmart on Friday and they were 55 cents a pound. I bought so many omg. LOL I remember the sticker shock I got when I saw that in Australia a can of black beans were $6.50!!!!!!!!! I'm bringing some back with me in July. LOL When I did groceries on Friday I spent about $40. In Australia I would have spent about $100. |
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| tierneyrb | May 16 2011, 11:55:33 PM Post #20 |
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Chinwagger
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pastrycook-136 - I read an article today that said less than one percent of Australians have a disposal. I wasn't really sure why that is the case because I almost put them in the same category with a dishwasher and A/C as a must have. I suppose it has some to do with the cost and some to do with you don't know what you don't know. If you've never had one, you might not know what you are missing. I would pay $400 for one though. |
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