Price Differential

[Simon B]

At the risk of enflaming all our dealer members and going over this again, how can Worldwide companies like Garmin say, explain to a buyer here why they can buy a navigational instruement for use world wide at half price in the States (compared to the price in UK)

I realise it may not be half price by the time it gets here but lets not be silly the difference is vast. And can we really expect customs to open every package? what are the cahnces you will be caught every time.

I dont mind paying for service but the price difference is gaulling to say the least, and how would one go about getting this excellent service if you were visiting from the states after sailing over here having kitted out your boat in your home country. For instance Garmin 76C US $175.95 (ebay) bought here price dollars from globalpositioningsystems.co.uk $753.75. Is this a price difference I as a consumer should be bothered about!

[Brian]

Simon
They do it because they can. There is no other reason than to bump up profits.
You can listen to all the arguments in the world about freight and duty, VAT, cost of setting up a European support operation and so on.
The arguments are superficially true, but wrong, as they are balanced by other cost factors in the selling equation.
I know because I have run and controlled w/w sales and marketing operations for a number of US hi-tech companies, and therefore been on the other side of the fence for most of my working life.
The artificiality of some of the manufacturers arguments really make me laugh.

Take an American yacht, for example, that comes for a sail over here.
Well, of course, its VHF wont work in UK waters will it? Because its frequencies are wrong. And it's illegal to use it.
It's GPS Plotter is not capable of navigating you in European waters because it's base map is US orientated.
And the changes to make both items work over here, doubles the cost of the unit dont they?

Do me a favour! They are having a larf.

You get charged more because the manufacturer can get away with it here and you will pay the asking price.
If you want some proof, ask Andre how much he pays for electronics and engine etc. in Poland.

Enough said. I am retired now. Can't take all this excitement any more.
And BTW, I am not advocating you either import from the US or break UK or European law. Either put up and shut up, or change the system.

[eupa]

Simon ,play the game- be more cleverer than them. Send me a private mail and I will tell you how to buy in the states from ANY supplier- reduce the duty and VAT by 60% ( perfectly legal). I do on a regular basis and save a
lot of money. The biggest difference is on laptops, and pc accessories.

I recently purchased a plextor DVD writer ( px708uf). This costs over 350 euros in europe..... picked it up at 175 in the states and landed in europe at 230, duty, vat and freight paid... to my door. When you are being ripped off
just go around the wall... and there are many doors.

jonathan

[codprawn]

Why do people go on about Rip off Britain all the time? It is ONLY really true of things taxed like cigs or petrol etc - they are a serious rip off but as to other things NO!!!!

Haven't you thought it is because of the exchange rate? The £ is very strong against the $ at the moment - get rid of this and it is NOT the case!!!

Just come back from France Spain Andorra and Gibraltar - couldn't find anything cheaper than the UK other than taxed items - in fact electronics etc a lot dearer.

You can buy a good DVD player in the UK for £30 - don't see how they could be much cheaper!

[codprawn]

Where the hell did you get that stupid price for the 76C???? Just looked on Ebay.com and they are about $400 - doesn't look such a ripoff now does it???

[codprawn]

whoop sorry didn't see your 2nd post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Simon B]

Maybe this emotive issue could be moved to an FAQ? I shall look into going round the wall and finding the doors, I suppose until it is glaringly obvious that people are doing this we wont see much change....Err like we've done with booze...

[eupa]

As regards rip off britain what about :
-house prices
-food
-a cup of so called coffee
-hotels in London
-taxi fares
-car parking and meters
-London airport
-car prices ( still)

anymore??

jonathan

[Rogue Wave]

marina fees,

Divorce
Alimony

[Richard B]

Food & drink at Southampton Boat Show