Apple Inc (AAPL), Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Aussie Price Gouging Charges

Paul Robson, head of Australia and New Zealand operations for Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) at least didn’t blame others directly, but said that being local affects prices. He said that the prices are due to “the cost of doing business” in the area, as the company has to pay for local salaries, operations and investing in sales channels – suggesting that Australia may not be so business-friendly. However, he also admitted that when Aussie customers try to buy products on the Adobe U.S. site to save money, they are redirected to the Australian version of the site. Robson claimed this was to enable the company to track sales from various regions of the world and to offer a “personalized experience” for customers.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) seemed the least prepared to have an explanation for the prices. Pip Marlow, who heads Auastralia operations for Microsoft, was accused by a member of the Labor Party for hiking prices because the company could – there was no reasonable alternative available in the market. To that charge, Marlow came back with a powerful, “If we price our products too high our customers will vote with their wallets and we will see our sales decline.”

Wow. Take that. Yikes.

What do you think about this? Are these companies willfully gouging Australians for accessing digital content, or is there a perfectly rational explanation? Let us know your thoughts about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.

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