Products

• Technology news: Gadget prices set for record rise in Victoria

  
  03 December 2008
  
  VICTORIANS are facing the steepest TV, computer and digital camera price rises in 25 years.

  The price of LCD and plasma TVs and other electrical appliances including airconditioners will rise by up to 30 per cent by January 1.
  
  The higher prices have been blamed on the plunging Australian dollar.
  
  Sony will increase the price of its TVs by 15 per cent.
  
  An 81cm (32-inch) high definition LCD TV that costs $1599 will climb to $1849.
  
  A $279 digital camera that goes up by 20 per cent will cost consumers $329.
  
  And Victorians will pay about 30 per cent more for many laptops.
  
  One $1699 Sony model will have a RRP of $2199 by January.
  
  It could also cost much more to stay cool this summer as a Panasonic airconditioner now on sale for $1699 will be $1949.
  
  Country Victorians could pay even more due to higher transport and delivery costs.
  
  "This will be the biggest price rise in 25 years and we're expecting a big demand before Christmas as consumers try to get in before the New Year," said Frank Amadori, owner of Melbourne's Sony Centre  stores.

  The big four of Australian consumer electronics - Sony, Panasonic, Samsung and LG - have confirmed across-the-board price rises.
  
  TVs, laptops, DVD and Blu-ray players, digital still cameras and MP3 players are among a long list of electrical appliances that will be much dearer next year.
  
  Most other brands will also put up their prices; Pioneer, Marantz, Yamaha and Denon are set to charge more for their plasmas, DVD players, AV-receivers and speakers.
  
  Fridges, ovens and other essential items will also be more expensive next year, as will dishwashers.
  
  Samsung confirmed it will boost prices by 5 to 15 per cent on its whitegoods and all other categories, including audio-video, from February 1.
  
  The company says the price rises are the result of a double whammy of more expensive raw materials and the low exchange rate.
  
  Nearly all Panasonic products will be dearer in the New Year. The company has not revealed how big the increase will be.
  
  LG has announced its appliances will cost 5 to 10 per cent more as of late January.

   

  (news.com.au)