question for Dutch headfi-ers: custom payments

[Tiemen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlosgp /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here in europe we need to stop whining so much about customs. Of course nobody wants to pay them, but it isn't so bad. As Hans said, it helps to "equalize" prices and helps local business. Every product that sells in Europe must pay european taxes. Why products bought through Internet shouldn't pay the same taxes? Yes, in USA the prices are low because the dollar. In top, they do not have the same level of taxes. They do not have VAT, for example. But they do not have the same level of social services that we have in europe. Look at the USA sanitary system. With all respect, is a mess. You need to pay top dollar for medical care. If you don't have good insurance or are out of job, you are out of luck. If you have something serious, you are dead. I have to tell you, it scares me. Here in Spain, for example, all the population is covered and with a good level of attention, and we need to pay for that.

I thought it over, and now it's clear to me. The USA is some kind of third world country.
Well then, I tried to give some development aid, we Dutch love to do that

 

[tk3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlosgp /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here in europe we need to stop whining so much about customs. Of course nobody wants to pay them, but it isn't so bad. As Hans said, it helps to "equalize" prices and helps local business. Every product that sells in Europe must pay european taxes. Why products bought through Internet shouldn't pay the same taxes? Yes, in USA the prices are low because the dollar. In top, they do not have the same level of taxes. They do not have VAT, for example. But they do not have the same level of social services that we have in europe. Look at the USA sanitary system. With all respect, is a mess. You need to pay top dollar for medical care. If you don't have good insurance or are out of job, you are out of luck. If you have something serious, you are dead. I have to tell you, it scares me. Here in Spain, for example, all the population is covered and with a good level of attention, and we need to pay for that. We need to support a bit more our local economies. If the american manufacturers we love were in danger of bankruptcy, I would be the first helping with my purchases. But is not the case, is it? I think they are doing more than fine .

It's not always just about the taxes though, you have to keep in mind that sometimes it's simply cheaper to import all considered.
Take the Grado RS-1 for example, in US it costs around $600 new, that's less than €400 currently.
That is, assuming you were able to buy it somewhere since they don't ship outside US, but just using this as an example.
Locally in The Netherlands it costs over €800, that is a 100% markup.
Like this, I would rather buy it from US and pay the import taxes, and save €300.

Supporting the locals is good, but simple capitalism is a factor, also.
As for me, if I can buy an item locally that is only 10%> more expensive than overseas (excluding VAT), then I would buy it.
No hassle with overseas shipping, and the reassurance that I know I can go somewhere easily if the item is malfunctioning is worth that much to me.


Also, many of the cool brands of amps, sources are not even available locally most of the time.

 

[hoosterw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif As for me, if I can buy an item locally that is only 10%> more expensive than overseas (excluding VAT), then I would buy it. No hassle with overseas shipping, and the reassurance that I know I can go somewhere easily if the item is malfunctioning is worth that much to me.

Normally I take the standpoint that up to max 30-35% price difference is defendable. 20/25% tax&import and around 10/15% for transport and shipping, local service obligations etc..
Anything over 40% is questionable up to unreasonable.

So in that case Grado calls it upon themself to have those 'grey channels'. Fortunately Grado is quite strict in its policy.

Every day price changing is also not what we want but we should follow the bigger swings, no doubt.

There is also one issue that is not to be forgotten. Europe has a totally different sales system as the US. The US only has retailers. We have importers, distributors and only then retailers. So two more layers that need margin. Very important difference!

Hans.

 

[apatN]

Another problem for dutchies: cables! Where to get your cables in the Netherlands? I'm looking for cheap cable and connectors to do my first recable. Later on, more expensive cable will be used but also good cable; where do I get them?