UK hardware costs more than in the US!?

[technubcake]

I'm really frustrated and confused as to why hardware in the UK costs so damn much compared to the US. I just went to PC part picker and got the same parts as I intended to in the first place, except in dollars. Although when I go pick the same hardware for the lowest price (3-4 hours of searching) in the UK, it still costs a whole £100 more for me to get the same stuff! In the UK my rig costs £600 ($900) but if you buy those same parts in the US, it costs $740 (£490) If there is anyway that I can get cheaper parts in the UK, it would be greatly appreciated, since I could easily upgrade from gtx 660 to a 670, and get a cpu cooler.

 

[chunkymonster]

I'm sure that the VAT has something to do with that...

 

[technubcake]

I'm sure that the VAT has something to do with that...

That's probably true. The only reason I don't know this stuff is because of my complete ignorance of the economy and politics. At 15 I live just about a carefree life (including hours of pestering from my parents to get a grip on my education) and to be honest, I just don't understand politics and economy properly to make sense of it. All research I've done includes a bunch of jargon and, most of the time is very over-complicated. Why doesn't the US have any VAT?

Edit: I've done some searching around and vat is just like a tax on goods not including food and kids stuff. This funds for free hospital care and free medicine etc. In the UK we have 20% vat! So £100 is the value so 20% added is £120 (funding free schooling, medicine and hospitals etc). I guess it makes sense since you have to pay for healthcare, education and medicine the US (not sure about education)

 

[manofchalk]

Meanwhile in Australia *whistle*
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_354&products_id=17209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021
And our dollar is currently higher than the US.

Aus basically has the same tax as the VAT, except its the Good's and Services Tax (GST) and its 10% I believe.
Such under a more socialist oriented government, more tax's but youl thank them when you get free health cover and decent public schools.

 

[WyomingKnott]

Rather than pcpartpicker, have a look at this thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/358998-31-worldwide-online-computer-parts-stores
See if the options do you any good.

 

[technubcake]

Rather than pcpartpicker, have a look at this thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/358998-31-worldwide-online-computer-parts-stores
See if the options do you any good.

I actually just found that out a few hours ago, thanks none the less.