Do you think a .com.au domain should indicate a store with local dispatch?

blitz on 06/10/2015 - 10:37

Yesterday I purchased a CD from wowhd.com.au, thinking it would be dispatched domestically (and would hence only take a few days to arrive). Even the purchase confirmation was from "WOWHD AUS". But now it appears that the CD will be coming from the US.

It used to be the case that a company had to have an ACN (Australian Company number) or an ABN in order to get a .com.au domain name, but the reason for this requirement no longer matters if a company can merely incorporate here in order to the domain.

So what I'm asking, then, is this: is it reasonable to expect domestic service if a seller has a .com.au domain?

Poll Options

  • 16
    Yes
  • 16
    No
  • 2
    Depends
General Discussion

Comments

  • Sage on 06/10/2015 - 10:55

    It should but with the amount of sellers that deceptively use .com.au addresses, it's too late. if it's a new site you have to research the details to be sure.
    there are sites with Australia in the name too that aren't Australian such as ozgameshop.

  • inherentchoice on 06/10/2015 - 11:14
    +2

    I think internet shoppers should be smart enough to know that items could come from overseas no matter the domain. I don't think its necessary for the government to legislate against it. It wouldn't be worth spending our tax dollars to enforce such a law.

    However, maybe websites should be required to disclose which country the item is shipping from.

  • Unbranded on 06/10/2015 - 11:22

    Agree that these online stores are misleading. I've had the same experiences with Sanity and Mighty Ape where CDs in stock with supplier does not mean in stock in Australia. The choice is getting a cheaper price online by waiting, or pay full retail price in an Australian store. Sometimes these stores don't charge your credit card until the item arrives in Australia, so it may be possible to cancel the order.

  • skinner on 06/10/2015 - 11:27
    +2

    First thing I got when accessing that website:
    "It appears you are accessing WOW HD from Australia. Would you prefer to shop using the Australian Dollar?"
    I would say that's a fairly obvious giveaway it's probably not an Australian-based company. Even if they were definitely an Australian company they might still dropship from elsewhere. Unless the website specifies that it is shipped from an Australian location I wouldn't assume anything.

  • nikkirose on 06/10/2015 - 11:43
    +1

    In my experience, a .com.au domain, indicates the seller ships to Australia, the prices are in AUD and that the items comply with Australian standards.

  • spackbace on 06/10/2015 - 11:51
    +11

    Wait…hold up… you bought a CD?!

    • Davo1111 on 06/10/2015 - 14:35

      90s kids will remember those XD

    • inherentchoice on 06/10/2015 - 15:18
      +1

      CDs: Out of stock in Australia. Must obtain from country still using imperial measurement system.

  • scotty on 06/10/2015 - 15:24
    +2

    .com.au simply means that it's registered with an ABN/ACN or an Australian trademark, no more. And it should stay that way.

    There are many .com.au's that

    • Might not even sell anything, i.e. OzBargain.
    • Might sell services rather than goods.
    • Might export and not sell locally.
    • Might actually be an importing company.
    • A mix of some of the above + sell locally.
    • Don't even have a website.

    What domain names should they be on if .com.au's must sell locally stocked items? Where did the items come from anyway, before they got stocked locally? Many would be imported overseas I guess?

    However I agree that if the domain name has a B2C website that sells directly to consumers, it should clearly label where the stock is currently located and the expected delivery time. What eBay do for their listings is great, and as a consumer I can easily prioritise between price and delivery time.

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