smn198

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Dec 31, 2007
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Why is it that Europeans are paying more for components and systems than the Americans. Are the resellers just more greedy? The manufacturers for many products have a worldwide price list so how is it that we end up paying so much more. (I live in the UK and I'm sure the strong pound isn't helping. Is it any better in the rest of Europe with the Euro?)

Prices extracted from <A HREF="http://pricewatch.com" target="_new">http://pricewatch.com</A> and <A HREF="http://pricewatch.co.uk" target="_new">http://pricewatch.co.uk</A>
(Based on exchange rate of 0.69£ per $ all prices in $)
P3 --- US$ - UK$ | Athlon - US$ - UK$
1000 - 448 - 622 | 1200 --- 483 - 628
933 -- 315 - 460 | 1000 --- 253 - 351
800 -- 117 - 267 | 900 ---- 168 - 233

The higher speed PIIIs and all athlons are about 40% more in the UK where as the PIII 800 is 128% more!!! :mad:

(Appologies that this post is slightly off topic but
where else should I put it where it would get read?)
 
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Import tax is 4% in the EU, The british VAT is about 15%.
Together thats about 20%.
The price difference is often much more than 20%.

---
Engage!
 

Hasse

Distinguished
Dec 31, 2007
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Hey Prices in norway is like:

P3 1000: 657$
K7 1200: 658$
K7 1100: 505$
K7 1000: 361$
P3 933: 496$
P3 800: 262$
K7 800: 198$

Now I see the insanety in it all. Well I just bought a K7 1100, and Asus V7700/ULTRA which costs the same as the K7 1200 in norway.. gee well ordering from the us would cost me way more, fist there is import taxes (x%) then there is the insane +23% VAT .. WOW.. well anyway.. I just got my 5460$ christmas bonus .. still prices are insane over here--

Exchange calculator found at : www.x-rates.com/calculator.html

-Hasse
 
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"The higher speed PIIIs and all athlons are about 40% more in the UK where as the PIII 800 is 128% more!!!"

Part of the problem lies in your calculation. On Pricewatch, a PIII 800 costs $177(100fsb) and $183(133fsb).

Drink
 
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Taxes, taxes , taxes.

Here is one way of avoiding them. Most europeans have relatives and/or friends in the u.s.a.. Have your friend purchase the cpu for you and send it to you as a personal christmass gift. They must list the cost of the part- so tell them to lie. The euorpean governments think you are recieving a 40 $ personal gift and won't give you any flack.

Another way is to have a friend/family who is visiting the u.s.a. to buy you the part and then to carefully lug it home to europe. The customs guys are looking for a lot more important items than cpus.

These are only some ways to avoid taxes. There are others but they don't walk the fine line of the law like the above; they totally obliterate it.
 
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*customs agents pull you aside*

Them- "Sir, there's a problem."

You- "What's the problem?"

Them- "Your bag... it's Intel inside."
 
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It is really very simple , this is all part of teh great British rip off, and it is not just PC's pretty well anythig you care to mention is higher in price in the UK than anywhere else.... including te rest of Europe... the only good thing is withe the free trade agreements that come along with the EU we can buy things from anywhere in the EU (as long as we pay tax in the country it is purchased) and bring it into the UK without paying any Import taxes......

if you want something at a good price DON'T BUY IT FROM THE UK!!!!!!!!

BTW I am from the UK in case you where wondering.......

M

one of the first UK T-Bird users....
 
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Laptops/pda's etc. can go through the x-ray machine with no
known adverse effects.
So I assume that no adverse effects would happen to the cpu.
If you are worried about it place the cpu within a small alluminum/tin cigarett holder.
You know, cigarette holders that pompass asses carry their cigaretts in.