Windows Vista - Spot the difference

[Jumpinbeans]

One version of Vista - two countries.

To start off here is the official microsoft site showing the version of Vista Ultimate Edition. Looks amazing, all the bells and whistles. Oh...whats this. Recommended retail price for full package product ($399 US dollars).
Microsoft Website

Now the joy - Amazon....the lovely online shop where i spend a fortune.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Why oh why must we be ripped off like this. Is anyone aware of any problems I would have running a US version of Vista on a UK machine besides keyboard drivers? Buying the UK version can converting to dollars works out at over 700dollars to give you all an idea of how badly we are ripped off.

[kalniel]

Well it's more like comparing $470 to $700, but yes, what a surprise - an american company wants to charge more for British users. It'll help pay off that EU fine as well

The only problem I can see with buying an American version is whether the license allows it to be used outside of the US - may have problems with activation.

[Steve]

So Vista Ultimate Retail's £174 more expensive on Amazon.co.uk than it is Amazon.com. Or, to put it another way, 88% more.

Awesome.

[pollaxe]

At times like this, I feel proud to be British.

God knows, we all pay enough for the 'privilege.'

Bah.

Double bah.

[kempez]

US Version will be ok in the UK tho will it? Not region locked at install?

[Gordy]

Typical, can't see why manufacturers are allowed to get away with it!

I know we have to pay vat but thats on 17.5% ffs!

I can see a lot of people importing a copy from the usa

[dangel]

Are these final prices or just some pre-order rubbish?

It'd be cheaper to fly the US and pick up some copies

[kalniel]

US Version will be ok in the UK tho will it? Not region locked at install?

Depends what the license is. It wouldn't surprise me if the US version came with a license condition that it be only for use in the US.

[Jonny M]

Can HEXUS run a piece on this and get an official response from Microsoft? To get the word out. I feel the reason will be "localisation" but I bet the whole interface will be in US English anyway so that's bull.

Piracy is enough of a problem already, but I'm sure taking the mick out of people who are intending on making a purchase anyway isn't going to help matters.

[kasavien]

Seconded that, i would love to hear what microsoft has to say about this.

[pollaxe]

Can HEXUS run a piece on this and get an official response from Microsoft? To get the word out. I feel the reason will be "localisation" but I bet the whole interface will be in US English anyway so that's bull.

Bloody great idea!! Thirded!

[Steve]

I'll look into this.

[kalniel]

Agreed. We really need these companies answers on why Wii/PS3/Vista are so much more expensive in Britain.

The same thing happened with car companies and we got the answer 'the British versions are higher spec'd'.

[TheAnimus]

This is truely obsene, add vat, and the UK screw you price increase (i find 1.35 is rather accurate for this, twice the VAT rate) and its still far too much.

Thing is this might be a genuine amazon miss-price, as the add next to this box, says ultimate edition only £249.99.

This is rather strangely spot on for my "screw you limy" rate.

[Jonny M]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your e-mail concerning price differences between the US and the UK.

I can confirm that the U.S will usually be cheaper owing to the following reasons:

U.S resellers, particularly online ones may be able to sell the product at a lower price owing to them taking a reduction in their margins. They can normally do this more than resellers in smaller countries due to the economies of scale of selling to a larger customer base. I should point out at this stage, that as a result of EU regulations we cannot set prices ourselves. Taxation, which can be substantially lower in the U.S than the U.K.

Operation costs such as distribution and manufacturing can be significantly lower in the U.S owing to the same economies of scale as mentioned above.

Different Microsoft regional offices can offer promotions and discounts to resellers and consumers that are specific to their own region. Microsoft UK and Microsoft Europe will quite often offer such promotions that are not applicable to our U.S customers.

Finally, the differences in price can also vary with the currency exchange rate between the U.S and the U.K.

I hope this information has answered your query, but if you have any more questions, please call us on 0870 60 10 100. Our lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Of course if you prefer please send me an email.

Many thanks for contacting us.

Kind Regards,

ANOOP VISWANATHAN
Customer Service Professional
Microsoft Customer Services

So each copy of Windows sold outside the US costs 80% more to distribute than those sold inside the US.

Well I'm glad I don't live in the US, I couldn't bear to get the substandard product that Microsoft are selling them

[Jonny M]

Sent a reply:

Anoop,

Thank-you for your reply, I have just one more question.

If all of the above is true, and I have no reason to believe it is not, how can Microsoft keep the VAT inclusive price of their UK Xbox 360 titles much closer to the US price when converted into GBP? Surely the market size issues and taxation would also apply here?

Thanks

Jonny