The prices in Malaysia, for anyone who's going, are awesome! They're about a dollar or two more expensive than the US site prices, with the Aussie Dollar going this strong, hence, even cheaper than Singapore! =D

I think on average, our wages and conditions are better, but there are plenty of jobs that are better paid in the States than here. It's why a lot of our country's best move overseas to work.

I agree that the price difference can't even begin to be explained by taxes etc., and having studied marketing the reason we pay more is because the products are priced to (a) what the market will bear and (b) be on par with brands of similar prestige. Of course (b) depends on (a). And while it used to be so that Australian brands were similarly expensive overseas, this isn't always the case. Becca is now cheaper in the States than here, I'm not sure about other brands.

Besides CPs, there are personal shopping and mail forwarding services available, but then what you're not getting is that personal relationship with a favourite SA.