Why is gear so expensive in Europe?

johnnycat42 · #1 01-15-2010, 03:19 PM

I am curious as to why gear is so expensive in Europe. Is it import tax? I may be moving over to France at some point in the future. I want to know why and if there is a way to get around it. Do any of the Zzounds, MF or Music123 ship over there?

Cheers,
Graham

Dbassmon · #2 01-15-2010, 03:24 PM

American made gear is expensive in Europe because;
transport costs, duties and tariffs , VAT (sales taxes) cumulatively add up.

It was more expensive when the dollar was stronger.

BigOldHarry · #3 01-15-2010, 03:27 PM

VAT VAT VAT

All those folks who say the US needs a VAT need to take a long look at Europe...

RandyMolson · #4 01-15-2010, 03:38 PM

European value-added-tax hovers around 20%, and applies to practically everything you pay for, goods and services. It is nuts.

johnnycat42 · #5 01-15-2010, 03:51 PM

I remember that now the last time I went. You could get your money back from the VAT if you send in your receipts. It was a incentive to buy stuff there. Well, not for me. But the big shoppers. So what happens when we send a used bass over to Europe? Do they get charged a tax upon arrival depending on what you claim the value to be in customs?

RCCollins · #6 01-15-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

VAT VAT VAT

All those folks who say the US needs a VAT need to take a long look at Europe...

and not only VAT, but.... really high import tariffs as well.

johnnycat42 · #7 01-15-2010, 04:02 PM

So is there a way, if I move there, to get gear in the hands of Europeans for cheaper prices. Any loopholes?

ricca · #8 01-15-2010, 04:24 PM

It's true, in Europe we have 20% Vat (here in Italy called IVA) and 5% import tax, also on used gear. When i buy something outside EU on ebay, I pay 25% more.
We also have VAT on European made products.
For example, for europeans is cheaper buying light goodies (strings,pick ups ecc..) in USA, included spedition and tax than in our country.
On march 2009 I played a gig near Philly and spent some days in NY and bought a whole lot of cd's,strings,plectrum,pedals...they cost nearly a half as in Italy.
But I think European gear is also pricey in USA at this moment, due to strong Euro.

Rusty Chainsaw · #9 01-15-2010, 04:34 PM

Well, not *everything* is more expensive in Europe, mostly just US-sourced stuff. For example, European-made gear like Warwick basses, Marshall amps, etc are significantly cheaper in Europe than in the US, VAT and all.

ricca · #10 01-15-2010, 04:35 PM

2!
The only way to keep prices down in EU would be having items shipped from USA declared as "present", "gift","Promotional" and so on, or having a lower price declared.
But, if courrier or air company damage them, you'll never have your money refounded.

RickenBoogie · #11 01-15-2010, 05:04 PM

On the plus side, you get to live on a continent that actually has real history.

RWP · #12 01-15-2010, 05:09 PM

I really feel sorry for the people that live in Italy, they have some crazy import laws. But then again they have Ferrari, Lamborghini and really hot women.

fdeck · #13 01-15-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

On the plus side, you get to live on a continent that actually has real history.

When did this continent start to exist?

ricca · #14 01-16-2010, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWP

I really feel sorry for the people that live in Italy, they have some crazy import laws. But then again they have Ferrari, Lamborghini and really hot women.

Oh Yes, but also Ferrari and Lamborghini are expensive.............and sometimes also hot women....(haha)

Jazz Ad · #15 01-16-2010, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Chainsaw

Well, not *everything* is more expensive in Europe, mostly just US-sourced stuff. For example, European-made gear like Warwick basses, Marshall amps, etc are significantly cheaper in Europe than in the US, VAT and all.

No, not true at all.
Actually in Europe you will pay less for a Warwick if you buy it from USA, pay shipping and VAT than if you get it from a local shop.

cnltb · #16 01-16-2010, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

On the plus side, you get to live on a continent that actually has real history.

..and actually REALLY fine bass gear.
So no need really to buy US made things when it comes to equipment and if one happens to live in europe.

But VAT is still a B.... .
But then again. if it's worth it and I'd really want/need it I'd pay for it regardless where it's being shipped from.
My equipment is from germany,england, australia, new zealand, switzerland and the netherlands.

Essen · #17 01-16-2010, 04:14 AM

US don't have VAT? Here in Noway we have 25% VAT, and an additional 10% on top of that customs fee. So even if I order of ebay, It basically cost the same as just buying it in the store.

ricca · #18 01-16-2010, 05:51 AM

And vintage gear?
My God, buying vintage here in Italy is near to impossible.
You have to add Vat,import and the seller's shop quote! The price is near as twice than in USA. And you have very little choice. For example, if You need a '63 Pbass, you could find only 2 or 3 of them and have to travel across the nation to try or collect them, so you had also to add travelling quotes to the final price, and not all of the instruments availables could be 100% originals. Having them shipped from USA is really cheaper and you have greater availability, but obviously you can't give them a try.

René_Julien · #19 01-16-2010, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

No, not true at all.
Actually in Europe you will pay less for a Warwick if you buy it from USA, pay shipping and VAT than if you get it from a local shop.

??

I recently (few months ago) compared some Warwicks from a German online store to a US store (which is active here on the forum).

I can get a Warwick significantly cheaper from Germany than from the US. At normal street prices and without considering import tax and shipping.

The US store had a massive blowout sale, which was cheaper for the product (a very good deal), but would have come at the same price if added import taxes and shipping.

Also TL Audio (UK product). I own one of their products, and a few months ago a fellow TBer from the US was comparing prices with me.
1000$ in the US and 545 € to me here in Belgium.

edit: but I don't want a Warwick.

ricca · #20 01-16-2010, 06:34 AM

It's right, in EU we have lots of fine gear: Warwick,Laurus,Manne,Vigier,Markbass,Marshall,EBS and so on; some of them comes cheaper,some not (UK products are pricey,due to Pounds), but most historical brands are from USA (think Fender and Gibson to name two) and most of accessoires (pick ups,strings,pedals, preamps....) so, if I need a vintage serie Pbass, I can't buy a Warwick instead, it's not the same kind of instrument.
And CD's? In Italy new releases costs between 25 to 35 euros (both US and EU artists),
it's near 40$! and some artists (think Wooten or Miller or Claypool for ex) are nearly impossible to find. Usually on ebay I find brand news ones for less than half the price,shipped and all. This hight prices are also for most Italian artist here in Italy.