Australian Commerce

A couple more interesting things about "commerce" in Australia.

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When you sell your house, there are two systems: a) about the same as ours, where people come and look at your house and if so inclined make an offer, which you might accept, etc. etc. b) you announce an auction date. People come and look and, if so inclined, come to your auction. The auction is run by the realtor and is, approximately, in the format you see on TV - people outbidding each other, in the room at the same time, someone going "go I hear 2 million, 2 million, going once..." and so on.

According to our friends both are common, it's a decision of the realtor and the seller, there is no overriding reason to do one or the other.

I am hard pressed to think of a compelling advantage to either system.

From anecdotal evidence, Australian house prices are even more horrifying than Canada (a bit odd since both countries are full of underused land). I have no idea if Australian realtor routinely make $100k for 1.2 hour of work as they do in Canada.

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The first time I bought gas here, I was confused because there was something that looked kinda like a credit card reader but I couldn't see how to work it. I went inside and asked and the guy said "oh, we're much more trusting than you guys are, just pump and then come in and pay". This has been true everywhere. However, I posit that Australians are, overall, much LESS trusting:

- signs in stories informing you that they will search any bags you brought in

- self check out, but, little gates that an attendant must open to let you out, so he/she can make sure you didn't cheat

- senior discount? not without an Australian seniors card !!!

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