Revealed: The Amazon Australia items you can buy for less at local retailers
US internet giant Amazon launched in Australia on Tuesday but customers anticipating substantially reduced prices have been left disappointed.
The arrival of the behemoth, which has grown from being an online bookstore to one of the world's largest firms, was anticipated to shake the local retail sector with its unique pricing model to kill off the competition.
However many of its products on sale, almost two weeks after the previously tipped launch date of November 24, are reportedly more expensive than other major retailers.
Disappointed shoppers hoping to score Christmas bargains, have compared Amazon Australia's prices to stores like JB HiFi and Harvey Norman, and found the online store's anticipated launch has failed to meet their expectations.
"Everything I've looked for on Amazon to compare prices so far is available cheaper elsewhere," Chris Urguhart tweeted.
"You can even buy a Kindle cheaper at other stores...and Amazon are the ones that make them!"
Amazon's own Kindle Paperwhite High Resolution Wi-Fi eReader is listed at $179, but the item is selling for $159 at Officeworks and JB HiFi.
If you're planning on buying a 65" Samsung QLED Series 7 TV, JB HI Fi is selling it for $2000 less, at $3996 rather than $5,999.
Amazon’s $999 All Beats Studio Wireless Headphones are available at JB HiFi for half the price, at $449.95.
If you're keen to get your hands on an iPhone 7 Plus 128GB, Amazon Australia has them for $1375, compared with $1199 at JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman.
Amazon lists a Chanel Chance trio spray pack for $199.56, which is $60 cheaper at David Jones and Myer where it retails for $139.
No no no #amazonaustralia we are looking for unique products at great prices, not more of the same overpriced stuff we can get everywhere. To other retailers - you can breathe a sigh of relief now.
— Riwka Hagen (@Rifffy) December 4, 2017
On first looks, Amazon Australia's prices appear to be as escalated as those at the local rip-off stores like Harvey Norman, Myer etc. Dissappointed! Not worth the hype. #amazonaustralia
— Mehreen r (@RizviMehreen) December 4, 2017
Amazon Australia not that exciting? Most items are more expensive than other online sources! Price checking ea item and can find better alternatives. A bit disappointed so far #AmazonAustralia
— Raf (@Fikiish) December 4, 2017
I sincerely hope #AmazonAustralia has a crapload more stuff coming and the prices are about to drop dramatically because right now I am spectacularly unimpressed.
— Royce Wilson (@RoyceWilsonAU) December 4, 2017
#amazonaustralia is so crap! Where's the savings? its just RRP! So poor, so disappointed. #wontshoponamazon @amazon
— Eddy Issa (@Sainterman) December 4, 2017
Some items are even cheaper to purchase and ship from the Amazon US site.
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But it's not all bad news. Amazon Australia is selling Nintendo Switch for $399, forcing JB HiFi to reduce its price by $70 to match, offering the console for its Black Friday special price.
@JBHiFi has dropped their Switch price to match #amazonaustralia (that was their Black Friday price) pic.twitter.com/UXnuI0koVm
— Daniel Vuckovic (@VOOK64) December 5, 2017
There's also a $20 saving on the Star Wars Battlefront II for the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, which sells for $39 on Amazon compared with $59 at JB Hi-Fi.
Australia has long been home to Amazon-registered sellers, but until Tuesday they were limited to sending goods offshore because the Seattle conglomerate did not have a warehouse in the country.
This also meant Australians had to wait longer times, and pay higher fees, for shipping.
Amazon has now set up a massive distribution warehouse on the outskirts of Melbourne, and the company hopes to cut delivery time to as little as a day.
Under the free delivery offer, Amazon said it estimated delivery times as short as three business days in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra, while shipping to remote areas could take 10 days.
Shoppers can pay a fee for faster shipping times.