That's actually the nub of it - SRAM in Australia through their antiquated distributor model do not offer either support nor prices - if you look through the comments above they only carry a select amount of what they think will sell best & their prices are more than double those overseas. This is not the local bike shops fault, I am sure that their wholesale prices are dearer than OS retail prices.Comedian wrote:if they did offer excellent local support and parts backup at reasonable prices through local retailers then I'd actually consider it a positive. #justsaying.
I didn't pay too much attention during economics, but I am not aware of a business model that goes reduced availability + increased price = profit. If SRAM's Australian business can't compete due to their excessive costs, improving their distribution model
I am not outraged at SRAM, they have clearly communicated that they do not want my business & I am happy to take it elsewhere. I'll save my outrage for the online giants who are giving in to this anti-competitive behaviour. Individuals taking their business elsewhere are unlikely to change SRAM's views in the short term, Wiggle/c r c etc making a public announcement that they are not going to carry any SRAM if they can't sell it to all of their customers would send a much stronger message.