Originally Posted by Kato

99% of the issue is a lot of manufacturers will sell overseas for a very cheap price. Usually because the overseas distributors will buy in bulk. But they won't even consider selling it locally at that price.

For instance, I can buy australian made steel sections from BHP or Onesteel for local crack money. Or I can buy it overseas, ship it here, pay the taxes on it and have the exact same product for half the price. Downside is local stockists disappear.

Or you can buy a holden commodore / hsv cheaper overseas than the local market. And it is a lot cheaper than the 'taxes' crap they try to sell to the local customers.