Weak dollar = rip off european consumers

[rjpearce]

I saw an articile somewhere about vista pricing, microsoft would be charging 100% (or something) more for Vista in europe then the usa... But it would seem its not just microsoft who are up to this game.

I am looking around for a bigger TFT, dell has quite a variety but when u compare the prices its extortionate.

Dell USA
Dell Ultrasharp 2407WFP 24" ($674.00)
which is equal to: £347.53
£408.34 (with vat)

Dell UK
Dell Ultrasharp 2407WFP 24" (£716.81)

Difference a whopping: £308.47 cheaper in the USA.
(43% cheaper in the USA)

Surely its cant cost £308.47 per unit to ship it across the atlantic ocean.

Anyone got a large suitcase?

If not this is very tempting -> http://www.parcel2go.co.uk/usauk.asp

They will import and deliver the goods directly to you from the USA.It might cost £55.99 but your still saving £252.48.

Thoughts anyone?

[dave87]

Depends if you get VAT - 17.5% on top, and if you get a universal (ie 100-250v) PSU with it. Remember, all aftersales would be with Dell USA - not sure if they are rigid on that, but Dell USA would have all of your details, not dell UK.

[Butcher]

Many US companies will ship internationally for less than £55.99 - typically it's about $50 for shipping. Also you have to add an duty and VAT added by customs, which is typically about 20% of the value of the product.
Still you could probably get one for about $725+tax = $870, which is under £450.

[Funkstar]

the shipping costs are also subject to VAT etc.

[Saracen]

the shipping costs are also subject to VAT etc.

For that matter, so is import duty. So you end up paying a tax on a duty. Disgusting.

[rjpearce]

Its quite funny, i started looking at flights in the end you could get a return flight to New York for just £240 return all you'd need is a large suitcase. I dunno if you would have to declare them though?

[Funkstar]

yes you would. i think you allowed £135 worth of goods before you have to declare them. Something like that though.

[gabriel]

if you take the airport root then: just dont have them in there packets shielded etc (just have them opened) and state that they are gifts! moreover they will take the original receipt in the airport in order for you not to resale the items so photocopy the receipt beforehand!

Moreover if you can advice the seller in the US that the item is for GIFT in UK then you dont pay any customs.

if you go can you bring me something too!!! lol

[kalniel]

if you take the airport root then: just dont have them in there packets shielded etc (just have them opened) and state that they are gifts! moreover they will take the original receipt in the airport in order for you not to resale the items so photocopy the receipt beforehand!

Moreover if you can advice the seller in the US that the item is for GIFT in UK then you dont pay any customs.

As soon as you pay for it, directly or indirectly, or have it as part of a trade, it's not a gift.

You cannot take an item through as a gift either (unless it's less than 36 quid) - it only applies to items being sent from someone outside of the EU to someone inside. If you're taking it through then it implies that you are now the owner of the gift, and as you are an EU citizen you now owe tax on it. Or if you're buying it for someone else then it doesn't count as coming from a private individual who is outside of the EU.

[gabriel]

interesting when i get my laptop and a sony cybershot, they took the receipts and i told them that they were gift and did not paid anything on my way back. oh well i have no idea

[IBM]

So what happens if you're visiting family, and THEY give you a gift, which you then bring back to the UK?

I wouldn't be best pleased to get taxed on something I probably didn't want in the first place but had to take out of politeness (and this says something about the kind of gifts I get from relatives)

[kalniel]

So what happens if you're visiting family, and THEY give you a gift, which you then bring back to the UK?

I wouldn't be best pleased to get taxed on something I probably didn't want in the first place but had to take out of politeness (and this says something about the kind of gifts I get from relatives)

My reading of it was that because you were now the owner, you are liable for tax. Gabriels experience shows they might think otherwise.

If you really didn't want it you can dump it before or even at customs

[Dooms]

Anyone remember when it was cheaper to get flights to USA and buy an iPOD than it was to get one over here?

[rjpearce]

We could always put all our money together, buy a speed boat drive it accross the atlantic, buy all the stuff we want then power back to the uk. With thoose recent navy cuts at least we'd have nothing to stop us getting past uk customs. I think of been watching too much james bond stuff recently.

I suppose if you had them in a suitcase unpacked, how would they know u didnt bring them into the country, in the first place?

[Michael]

I suppose if you had them in a suitcase unpacked, how would they know u didnt bring them into the country, in the first place?

That wwas my thought on the matter too.

[Funkstar]

if you take a bunch of stuff back in their original boxes looking brand new, you are just asking for trouble