I used to subscribe to AVSA back in the days when Gavin Isaacs was still reviewing. But the softness of the reviews resulted in my subscription lapsing. I picked up the March issue for kicks and i now know why i dont read it anymore.
The bias towards advertisers is so obvious. Take the oppo review. The unit sells for USD170 (go to musicdirect.com) but the price is R4,400. Wow some nice margins for the importer/dealer with an implied exchange rate of ZAR26:1USD. So the question begs why did the review not mention this?? I am sick of the hi fi rip offs domestically and of the execuses of the perpetrators. I pick on the Oppo but there are lots of other gear which is so overpriced in SA.
So the solution is easy - it is not exactly difficult to find out the overseas price of kit. Compare it to local and then avoid the ridiculous!
Any comments??
The bias towards advertisers is so obvious. Take the oppo review. The unit sells for USD170 (go to musicdirect.com) but the price is R4,400. Wow some nice margins for the importer/dealer with an implied exchange rate of ZAR26:1USD. So the question begs why did the review not mention this?? I am sick of the hi fi rip offs domestically and of the execuses of the perpetrators. I pick on the Oppo but there are lots of other gear which is so overpriced in SA.
So the solution is easy - it is not exactly difficult to find out the overseas price of kit. Compare it to local and then avoid the ridiculous!
Any comments??
