[RooneyX]

Have you noticed that buying the top Powerbook G4 in the US is 1000 pounds (1900 dollars) cheaper than buying it in the UK at the current rate of exchange? That's insane.

[OB1]

You're kidding??? If I buy a 12"Powerbook in the USA it will cost me �300??! I'm too lazy to work it out for myself, is the difference really this much?

[Cellery]

Top PowerBook G4= 17" model

Standard config price:

$2999 USD
2399 GBP or $4538 USD

[The Placid Casual]

I am very seriusly thinking of getting someone to buy me an iPod in the US at the moment and having it shipped over because of the great exchange rate.

If anyone fancies commision on such a deal, give me an email...

[I Me Mine]

20" iMac - US store = $2199 // UK store = �1749 ($3308)

G5 Dual 2Ghz - US store = $2999 // UK store = �2299 ($4348)


And on it goes....

[tae667]

I recently realised that flights to NYC, hotels and 12" Powebook with SuperDrive is 100� cheaper than buying the Powerbook from Finland. Insane.

And AppleCare sucks here. My iBook has been there since new year, and I'm not the only one with same problem..

[voodoo]

Apple should really look into lowering prices in Europe. That is what the PeeCee cloners have managed to do. The price on Dells is similar between the continents. Same applies for HP et al and spare parts.

[mrfrost]

The next Apple computer I buy won't be a European one.

[voodoo]

Originally posted by mrfrost:
The next Apple computer I buy won't be a European one.

Will it be a Merry Can?

Actually the next computer I'll buy will be a US one *but* with Icelandic super duper prices!! (beats even the European prising scheme )

I'll get the american keyboard and everything.

I'm gonna buy the top-of-the line G5 with a gig of RAM and the Rad 9800 pro + AP and BT.

$3,698.00 plus sales tax for the Merry Cans.

$4,722.00 plus sales tax => $5,880.00 for your's truly.

Exactly and without compromise 100% the same machine as you get in the US.

[willed]

So you can't get orders shipped to the UK through the US Apple Store can you?

Can't really blame Apple for exchange rates, plus as always has to be pointed out in these threads, the Apple UK prices usually include 17.5% VAT whereas US prices don't as sales tax varies from state to state.

[voodoo]

Originally posted by willed:
So you can't get orders shipped to the UK through the US Apple Store can you?

Apple Stores only send within the country they are in.

[Diggory Laycock]

Originally posted by willed:
So you can't get orders shipped to the UK through the US Apple Store can you?

Can't really blame Apple for exchange rates, plus as always has to be pointed out in these threads, the Apple UK prices usually include 17.5% VAT whereas US prices don't as sales tax varies from state to state.

Even if you could - HM Customs and Excise would add VAT to it.

[tae667]

Originally posted by voodoo:
Apple should really look into lowering prices in Europe. That is what the PeeCee cloners have managed to do. The price on Dells is similar between the continents. Same applies for HP et al and spare parts.

I agree 100%. I know many people who has considered Apple, but has chosen HP or Fujitsu because Apples are too expensive.

[Mastrap]

Prices of a basic 12" PB without sales tax:

US: $1599, excluding delivery.

UK: $2085, including delivery.

The remainder is due to the low US$ and the strong �. You guys need to get your collective knickers untwisted. It's impossible to adjust retail prices on a weekly basis. A couple of months ago the G5 was cheaper in the UK than it was in the US. I didn't hear any howls of protest then.

[I Me Mine]

Originally posted by Mastrap:
You guys need to get your collective knickers untwisted. It's impossible to adjust retail prices on a weekly basis. A couple of months ago the G5 was cheaper in the UK than it was in the US. I didn't hear any howls of protest then.

I don't believe that. Here are the � to $ rates since the G5 was announced. It can't have been cheaper in the UK than the US

June 1.66088 USD (21 days average)
July 1.6221 USD (22 days average)
August 1.59386 USD (21 days average)
September 1.61548 USD (21 days average)
October 1.67916 USD (22 days average)
November 1.68974 USD (18 days average)
December 1.75032 USD (21 days average)

January and February are even higher.

[voodoo]

Originally posted by Mastrap:
Prices of a basic 12" PB without sales tax:

US: $1599, excluding delivery.

UK: $2085, including delivery.

The remainder is due to the low US$ and the strong �. You guys need to get your collective knickers untwisted. It's impossible to adjust retail prices on a weekly basis. A couple of months ago the G5 was cheaper in the UK than it was in the US. I didn't hear any howls of protest then.

Powerbooks strangely aren't unfairly priced over here compared to the iMacs and eMacs!

PM dual 2 G5 is 33.5% more expensive in Iceland than in the US.

17" PB G4 is 25.6% more expensive in Iceland than in the US.

(Note that both machines sell for $2999 dollars in the US ... so why the difference??)

15" PB G4 superdrive is 36.3% more expensive in Iceland than in the US.

(again how is this logical??)

12" iBook combo is 39.6% more expensive in Iceland than the US.

20" iMac is 55.7% more expensive in Iceland than the US. (!!!)

17" iMac is 44.4% more expensive in Iceland than the US (damn)

15" iMac is 36.3% more expensive in Iceland than the US.

eMac superdrive is 39.6 % more expensive in Iceland than the US.

eMac combo is 47.7% more expensive in Iceland than the US.

iPod 20 GB is 71.4% more expensive in Iceland than the US

(they don't sell the 40 GB model because it is so expensive)

23" HD Apple Cinema display is 29.4% more expensive in Iceland than the US.

20" Apple Cinema display is 36.3% more expensive in Iceland than the US.

17" StudioDisplay is 51.9% more expensive in Iceland than the US.

Note: all calculations done with today's currency rate 68 ISK for 1 USD and without taxes.

[voodoo]

As a comparison a Dual 2GigHz G5 is 5.78% more expensive in Norway than in the US taxes notwithstanding. That includes a Norwegian keyboard and Mac OS X translated into Norwegian. A bit better deal than I'm getting here in Iceland eh?

$"#%$#$"

[mrfrost]

Originally posted by Diggory Laycock:
Even if you could - HM Customs and Excise would add VAT to it.

That's why I have a plan�.

No seriously, a friend of mine ships US cars to Europe. Nobody seems to mind that there's a computer in the trunk from time to time.

[Logic]

Originally posted by voodoo:
As a comparison a Dual 2GigHz G5 is 5.78% more expensive in Norway than in the US taxes notwithstanding. That includes a Norwegian keyboard and Mac OS X translated into Norwegian. A bit better deal than I'm getting here in Iceland eh?

$"#%$#$"

I think you agree with me that we both don't want the OS translated into Icelandic But the prices are ridiculous, that I agree with you on.

Vista
T�ma ruslak�rfu
Endurr�sa
and so on.....

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by I Me Mine:
I don't believe that. Here are the � to $ rates since the G5 was announced. It can't have been cheaper in the UK than the US

it was on the continent in August:
http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...es#post1535520

-s*

[I Me Mine]

But not the UK.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by voodoo:
As a comparison a Dual 2GigHz G5 is 5.78% more expensive in Norway than in the US taxes notwithstanding. That includes a Norwegian keyboard and Mac OS X translated into Norwegian. A bit better deal than I'm getting here in Iceland eh?

$"#%$#$"

Having an extremely tiny market set in the middle of the ocean, far away from either shore, works against you occasionally, I guess...

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by I Me Mine:
But not the UK.

I would think it was.

[I Me Mine]

How? I've shown the exchange rates.

[biscuit]

I guess we can add this to the long list of examples of Rip-Off Britain.

As someone mentioned though, don't forget that Apple Store UK prices are VAT inclusive. This is a very good thing, keeps everything clear. Most online retailers don't include VAT in their displayed prices to make everything look cheaper. It's usually there in brackets and tiny grey type.

biscuit

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by I Me Mine:
How? I've shown the exchange rates.

but not the prices at the time.

[I Me Mine]

The dual G5 has always been �2299.

Using the August exchange rate that would have made it $3655.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by I Me Mine:
The dual G5 has always been �2299.

Using the August exchange rate that would have made it $3655.

I'll take your word.

why the hell UK prices would be higher than Euro prices, though...might be common currency benefits, after all...?

[I Me Mine]

Don't know really. The Apple Store Ireland (which uses the Euro) is generally a little bit more expensive than the UK one. Mind you, the VAT in Ireland is 21%.

[I Me Mine]

double post.

[fizzlemynizzle]

Originally posted by RooneyX:
Have you noticed that buying the top Powerbook G4 in the US is 1000 pounds (1900 dollars) cheaper than buying it in the UK at the current rate of exchange? That's insane.

It's not Apple's fault that leftist Europe is absurdly overtaxed. 17.5% "VAT" (where's the VALUE in that ) is insane.

[willed]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
I'll take your word.

why the hell UK prices would be higher than Euro prices, though...might be common currency benefits, after all...?

Well cars until recently were absurdly overpriced compared to mainland Europe. Apparently car makers referred to Britain as 'treasure island'. There doesn't have to be much reasoning behind it.

[piot]

Originally posted by RooneyX:
Have you noticed that buying the top Powerbook G4 in the US is 1000 pounds (1900 dollars) cheaper than buying it in the UK at the current rate of exchange? That's insane.

Have you noticed that your abacus has lost a ball?
US price $2999.00 at today's rate 1.89 = �1587.00
UK price (inc VAT) = �2399.00
Thats �812.00 MORE

Have you noticed that the UK Gov. adds 17.5% tax (VAT) to all these goods?
UK price (NO VAT) = �2041.70
Thats �455.00 MORE

Have you noticed that the US dollar has been sliding in value for the past few months?
US price $2999.00 at AUG2003 rate 1.59 = �1886.00
Thats �156.00 MORE

Maybe Apple can and will do something about the current disparity.......I don't know. But the fact remains that they have NOT increased the UK prices.

Buy a mac in the UK.....then take a VERY cheap holiday in Florida!

[RooneyX]

Originally posted by Cellery:
Top PowerBook G4= 17" model

Standard config price:

$2999 USD
2399 GBP or $4538 USD

I added 8% Californian tax to the US price and 17.5% UK tax to get my price difference.

[voodoo]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Having an extremely tiny market set in the middle of the ocean, far away from either shore, works against you occasionally, I guess...

Bull! Having only 1 reseller does.

Almost all pricing is identical between Iceland and Scandinavia and Macintosh has 10% marketshare in Iceland. It is all thanks to there being only one reseller here in Iceland.

We used to have two only a year ago but then Apple Computer in California decided to sue the other company for importing grey market Macs. They just gave up on the whole thing when Apple computer was paying a lawyer full time to bother them.

Thanks a bunch Apple! Now we're back to the overpriced ONE reseller.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by RooneyX:
I added 8% Californian tax to the US price and 17.5% UK tax to get my price difference.

Since tax is something Apple has absolutely no control over, it makes sense to leave it out of all international comparisons.

-s*

[Sherwin]

Originally posted by voodoo:
Apple Stores only send within the country they are in.

Not so. The UK Apple Store (online) is in Ireland.

When ordering my last Mac from them, I was told I could have it shipped anywhere in Europe. Which kind of makes sense, seeing as them not shipping to anywhere you wanted in the EU would be illegal.

[Sherwin]

Originally posted by willed:
Well cars until recently were absurdly overpriced compared to mainland Europe. Apparently car makers referred to Britain as 'treasure island'. There doesn't have to be much reasoning behind it.

Yes. We've gotten used to dropping our pants and bending over.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by Sherwin:
Yes. We've gotten used to dropping our pants and bending over.

Well, it's better recreation than cricket, I suppose.

[voodoo]

Originally posted by Sherwin:
Not so. The UK Apple Store (online) is in Ireland.

Yes that's true and same applies to the Norwegian Apple store online. But it defines itself as Norwegian and specifically claims they will not send the product outside of Norway (even if they are based in Ireland)

From the Apple Store UK website

"4.2 VAT is payable by you at the applicable rate as indicated on your Invoice. No intra-community purchases can be made on The Apple Store Web Site"

http://promo.euro.apple.com/promo/he...spolicies.html

This applies to all the Apple stores on the web.
i.e. you have to be in Norway to shop at www.apple.com/no and in the UK to shop at www.apple.com/uk and so on.

These are the countries you have to be in to be able to shop at the Apple store online: http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Im...utingpage.html

[Sherwin]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Well, it's better recreation than cricket, I suppose.

What isn't?

[Sherwin]

Originally posted by voodoo:
Yes that's true and same applies to the Norwegian Apple store online. But it defines itself as Norwegian and specifically claims they will not send the product outside of Norway (even if they are based in Ireland)

Norway are not in the EU.

Originally posted by voodoo:
From the Apple Store UK website

"4.2 VAT is payable by you at the applicable rate as indicated on your Invoice. No intra-community purchases can be made on The Apple Store Web Site"

This may be true for the web site. However, I was told that if you _phone_ them they'll ship to anywhere in the EU.

I can't see any legal reason why they'd be able to refuse. Note that a few years back when we were charged stupid prices for cars a lot of people were ordering RHD vehicles from dealerships in Germany/Holland. A lot of the manufacturers didn't like this and tried to stop it but legally they couldn't and were forced to comply.

If anyone in the UK who's ripe for a Mac purchase and has foreign language skills would like to test this theory?

[voodoo]

Norway is in the EEA and is therefore for most business intents and purposes a part of the EU.

Let's look at the Swedish store:

"6.1 Vi levererar endast Produkter till adresser inom Sverige."

== meaning > We only deliver products to addresses in Sweden.

Now they underline and enforce this by stating:

"2.4 By placing an Order, you make an offer to us to purchase the Products you have selected on these terms and conditions. We may or may not accept your offer at our discretion."

Basically they don't have to sell you anything if they don't want to and they don't even have to tell you why. So - they will only deliver product within the country that they have the Apple Store presence in. No other country - EU or not.

[Klaus1]

The endless saga of prices being higher in the UK than almost anywhere else is not new, and applies to most things.

I am a Dane living in the UK, and I am always struck by the fact that, generally speaking, food prices in Danish supermarkets are about the same as in the UK. Except that in Denmark food carries VAT of 25%, in the UK it is zero rated for VAT.

British retailers make far higher profits, and work to higher margins, than in most of the EU.

[hagheid]

It's true that Apple products are more expensive in the UK....... BUT........that more than makes up for having the truly WORST Applecare on the planet.
Keep buying those Sony shares Steve.

[Sherwin]

Originally posted by voodoo:
Norway is in the EEA and is therefore for most business intents and purposes a part of the EU.

Let's look at the Swedish store:

"6.1 Vi levererar endast Produkter till adresser inom Sverige."

== meaning > We only deliver products to addresses in Sweden.

Now they underline and enforce this by stating:

"2.4 By placing an Order, you make an offer to us to purchase the Products you have selected on these terms and conditions. We may or may not accept your offer at our discretion."

Basically they don't have to sell you anything if they don't want to and they don't even have to tell you why. So - they will only deliver product within the country that they have the Apple Store presence in. No other country - EU or not.

Fair enough. I can only go on what the guy told me.

But... How does Portugal get their stuff? Monaco? Isle of Man? Jersey? Liechtenstein? Andorra?

Makes me wonder how screwy their Euro sales channels are.

[Cipher13]

Okay.

Base model G5.

$1799 USD.

$3199 AUD.

At the right conversion rate, the $1799 USD -> $2300AUD or thereabouts.

****ing ********.

[voodoo]

Originally posted by Sherwin:
Fair enough. I can only go on what the guy told me.

But... How does Portugal get their stuff? Monaco? Isle of Man? Jersey? Liechtenstein? Andorra?

Makes me wonder how screwy their Euro sales channels are.

Even if those are the rules Apple sets it doesn't hurt to try and contact them anyway and try and convince them.

I can only imagine the European sales channels are really f-ed up!

[Avensis]

While I will admit the UK is more expensive the mainland Europe

Ireland - in all its glory - has gone from being the cheapest country in the EU in the 1980s to the most expensive. Over the last 6 years our annuall inflation has hovered at almost 10%. VAT is 21% - the second highest in Europe. Taxes are extremely high too.

Apple store is also the most expensive in Ireland in Europe. Which is stupid since their European Factory (Where the G5s are assembled) is located 10min drive away from me.

It is true that sometimes one saves money flying out to NY, buying a powerbook from there, and flying back.

Luckily I have a number of friends working for Apple...

[tae667]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Since tax is something Apple has absolutely no control over, it makes sense to leave it out of all international comparisons.

-s*

OK, here we go. All prices from USA Applestore and EU Applestore without VAT, exchange rates from xe.com:
15" PowerBook with Superdrive: 2,599.00$ USA vs. 3,290$ EU
PowerMac Dual 2.0: 2,999.00$ USA vs. 3796$ EU
20 GB iPod: 399$ USA vs. 465$ EU

Apple thinks $=�, while other American computer companies doesn't: less sales for Apple.