[damian2000]

Explain how there's parallel import restrictions on books here? Last I heard there isn't any. I thought the only reason Amazon & co don't setup shop here is that its cheaper for them to ship books direct from the UK than pay Aussie-level wages.

[jacques_chester]

If there is an "Australian" edition of a book, it is illegal to import copies printed elsewhere and resell them. Or, as it's also known in polite circles: retarded protectionist bullshit.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/business-old/shorten...

As for "cheaper to ship from the UK", you're thinking of the Book Depository, who take advantage of subsidised export rates.

[chris_wot]

This is true. We have largely removed all tarrifs and disincentives to import here, but when it comes to books the local publishers have a stranglehold over the market.

Ironically, they are dying anyway because you instead of reselling the books here, consumers just buy them directly from sites like amazon.com.

Meanwhile, Angus & Robertson and Borders have closed, and it's damned hard to find a bookstore any more. Which means that publishers can't sell there books as there are very few retail outlets they can sell their material. I'm really not shedding any tears - books are far too expensive in Australia.

[ajtaylor]

When I moved to Australia last year, I simply couldn't believe the prices for books. A simple trade paperback would likely set you back 15-30 AUD! And don't even get me started on technical books...

[chris_wot]

There are a lot of people who are pirating technical books in Australia.

[ajtaylor]

Indeed there are. I _want_ to reward the authors of technical books, but there's no way I'm going to pay the outrageous prices Australian distributors want. It's still much cheaper to buy from Amazon and pay shipping from the US/UK to AU than buy locally. That assumes 1) you can find a bookstore and 2) they have the title you want in stock.

And Aussie retailers wonder why people are revolting and buying online...

[chris_wot]

This is why protectionism kills markets.

[damian2000]

Yeah - I've used Book Depository, they're excellent. Also there is an Amazon subsidiary who I've ordered off as well - Amazon.co.uk - their official address is in luxembourg or something (obviously some tax dodge).