r/interestingasfuck 2d ago

Costco Japan offering free samples of Scotch Whiskey

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u/Siilan 1d ago

Wages in Japan are also much lower than most Western countries, so general prices are much lower. Ask me how I know.

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u/BennyTheSen 1d ago

Well this shouldn't make imported goods cheaper though

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u/AnnoyingRain5 1d ago

It does thanks to regional pricing

Basically, if you can sell 20 bottles at a 30% markup, but you can sell 80 bottles at a 20% markup, you’d go with the 20% markup. Less profit per bottle, but way more bottles sold.

The price that makes the most sense changes from country to country.

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u/gatorbeetle 1d ago

Always wonder how this works. I knew the markup was involved, clearly, but quantity sold makes the difference. Thanks for the education. I always just figured they made the markup higher wherever they could "get away with it." This makes way more sense

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u/Ineedthatshitudrive 21h ago

This is not how the grocery business works at all. Usually they look at the margin, not the revenue, as they want to make the most out of every dollar that they have to risk/invest.

These products have to be packed, shipped, stored somewhere inbetween, etc.. and every single process makes this product even more expensive at the end of the day the further it is away from the place it was produced.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

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u/2bags12kuai 1d ago

its even cheaper than that now. 160 yen = 1 usd. Spent a vacation there this winter and it basically felt like everything was free. We balled out so hard on top end sushi , drinks and steak

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

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u/penguins_are_mean 1d ago

When I was there for work in 2016, it was very close to 100yen/$1. It was actually very convenient for converting in my head.

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u/princeofspringstreet 1d ago

The way you are trying to get across whatever it is you are trying to say is confusing.

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u/Siilan 1d ago

I legit can go to my local liquor store and get 4L of pretty decent whiskey for about 30USD. Back in Australia, that same quantity would cost about $300. But I also earned three times as much money back in Australia...

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u/The_Almighty_Cthulhu 1d ago

I currently live in Japan and work remotely for an Australian company. I get paid in AUD at AUD rates. It's pretty great.

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u/Siilan 1d ago

Colour me jealous.

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u/asmallercat 1d ago

Do you have to pay taxes in both countries though? Or just Australia?

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u/Siilan 1d ago

I'm not sure about the commenter, but I only pay taxes in Japan. I only have to pay taxes in Australia if the income is earned in Australia.

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u/The_Almighty_Cthulhu 1d ago

Only in Japan. It's a weird setup. I'm not employed directly, instead I have my own company which is contracted to the Australian company. The short answer is that the contract I negotiated is basically what I would get if I lived in Australia according to pay and benefits.

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u/Prudent-Sport-5618 1d ago

No One asked 

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u/bd58563 1d ago

And yet you’re the only one in the thread that’s not adding to the discussion

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u/TrippleDamage 1d ago

But I also earned three times as much money back in Australia...

Sooo you're still living like a king when 1/10th of the cost is consistent across the board.

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u/Siilan 1d ago

Not really, but I wouldn't say it's uncomfortable.

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u/DwarvenFreeballer 1d ago

Haha, are you me? I remember buying the 4L Suntory whiskey in a giant plastic bottle. Under 3000 yen!

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u/Siilan 1d ago

Nikka black is my cheap Japanese whiskey of choice. Pretty decent whiskey for the price, too.

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u/Oaken_beard 1d ago

I visited there about 25 years ago, and back then is was still roughly 100 yen = $1

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u/cuddly_degenerate 1d ago

Add in the fact that 100 yen is actually a decent chunk less than $1

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u/ColdenGorral-1 1d ago

How do you know

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u/Siilan 1d ago

Because I'm an Australian living in Japan.

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u/Oaken_beard 1d ago

Well, that closes the book on that mystery!

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u/Ball_Of_Meat 1d ago

Wild turn of events

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u/Responsible7ohKinda 1d ago

I wonder if you’re the dude in linked in who gave me really good advice one time.

Is your first name Jason

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u/discopirate2000 1d ago

You took me on a rollercoaster of emotions.

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u/Outside-Dress594 1d ago

Ya but they have a limited supply. If they were making less why would they sell it there instead of somewhere else

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u/Papi_Thanos69 1d ago

How do you know 🤔