Harvey Norman opens "Direct Import" online shop for games

Not too long ago Kogan began selling grey-market Apple, Samsung, Canon and Nikon products at far cheaper prices than what you would find in Australian stores, online or bricks-and-mortar. JB HI-FI then went on to launch their "Direct Import" store online for digital SLR camera products, citing inflated prices by Australian suppliers as the reason.

Harvey Norman is the next in line to send a strong message about pricing in Australia, with Gerry Harvey hypocritically announcing www.harveynormandirectimport.com, which sells imported console games at heavily discounted prices. I say hypocritically because up until now Gerry has been waving the “don't buy online, think of Australia” flag as high as his arms will reach. Regardless, it's good news for gamers as you can pick up games such as Battlefield 3 for $62, Arkham City for $58, Skyrim for $59 or Deus Ex: Human Revolution for $26. PC games are to be “available soon”.

Before you savvy online shoppers holler-out, yes, the UK based ozgameshop.com is still cheaper and does indeed specialise in Australian imports. Despite the other import options already available, there is no doubt that having a big-name AU retailer fall in-line with international pricing will create waves, ones that benefit Australian consumers.

Kotaku AU's Mark Serrels was at the conference where the announcement was made, spokesperson Ben Mackintosh saying “Harvey Norman is very pleased to announce, from six pm tonight, Harvey Norman will be utilising its global network, selling games direct to the consumers at fantastic global prices GST free.

“The Australian gaming customer has been paying far too much for console games,” he continued. “Retailers and suppliers have been keeping the prices far too high. We’re utilising our network to bring better prices to the consumer.

“We stand by this as a great new feature in the Australian market and we’re going to rip up the prices of Australian market.

“Why should an off shore retailer be able to evade duty to evade GST and all the other costs that retailers have? These people don’t have any of these cost and at the moment neither does this new company.”

“We’re not doing this with a great joy, we’ve held off but we can’t hold off any more.”

Whether it's ozgameshop.com, the newly launched Harvey Norman Direct Import online store, or Steam using a VPN, there are now plenty of strong alternatives to paying the $40-$50 extra that the likes of EB Games and GAME are charging you. Happy discounted shooting, or casting, or whatever it is you like doing.