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US-UK price difference

#21
We get properly fudged over here. The only reason for having an import tax that I can figure (apart from the blindingly obvious) is that they want to encourage the UK bass manufacturers, which is a market going nowhere fast. Does anyone make basses in the UK?

It's the sales tax that really hurts, and we have to pay that on everything anyway. I see why they have it, but 17.5%? I think that's a little exorbitant, especially when you're talking about this kind of money.

It makes me a little sick every time I browse US guitar/bass websites. The best plan would be:
  • Get a MASSIVE overdraft/loan combo
  • Go to America
  • Buy a shedload of new basses
  • Bring them back
  • Choose the best one of the lot to keep
  • Sell the rest
I figure you could break even despite import tax (would you have to pay sales?) provided you bought enough basses, and you'd have a free bass into the bargain!

EDIT: yeah, I just read that post and that is by far and away the dumbest idea I've ever thought of. Go on, dare you to try!
 
#23
In Iceland a Stingray costs $2000 and a Gibson Thunderbird is $3200. The sales tax is 24,5%. Normal price for strings (d'addario, earny ball) is around $40 for the set. Thats why I do my shopping on the internet allthough shipping a bass to Iceland is about $100 than 24,5% adds on to the price.
 
#25
it gets worse the more cash you wanna spend,

i just get the Fodera in my avater from Link Removed.

i was looking around at prices for Foderas in this country and found that a brand new Matthew Garrison model for instance would cost about £6600 over here,

when i ordered the bass in my Avater i asked David at the Grooveshoppe about prices for a Matt GArrison, it worked about £4200 that plus shipping and tax you arnt far off of the UK price,

so i guess we are screwed :D


Dave
 
#27
bassmonkeee said:
You might be willing to commit mail fraud for someone, but I'm not. :eyebrow:

Any US dealer offering to sell a new Stingray to anyone outside of the US is breaking their contract with Ernie Ball Musicman.
Click to expand...

I didn't say I was... but someone on ebay always is..
 
#29
Bubba Love said:
We get properly fudged over here. The only reason for having an import tax that I can figure (apart from the blindingly obvious) is that they want to encourage the UK bass manufacturers, which is a market going nowhere fast. Does anyone make basses in the UK?

It's the sales tax that really hurts, and we have to pay that on everything anyway. I see why they have it, but 17.5%? I think that's a little exorbitant, especially when you're talking about this kind of money.
Click to expand...

Well - it's a political question - in Europe we consider that it's worthwhile to levy tax and use it to improve everybody's lives - as opposed to the US, who just let the rich get richer, by not levying so much tax!

So - then as poor people in New Orleans found out - the money has all gone to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, just when you needed it...:(

Do you want cheap luxury items or welfare provision.....?
 
#32
Bruce Lindfield said:
Well - it's a political question - in Europe we consider that it's worthwhile to levy tax and use it to improve everybody's lives - as opposed to the US, who just let the rich get richer, by not levying so much tax!

So - then as poor people in New Orleans found out - the money has all gone to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, just when you needed it...:(

Do you want cheap luxury items or welfare provision.....?
Click to expand...

That's a good point, but who says it's being spent on welfare? Defence and wars have got to be funded from public money too. There's nothing much we can do about it, and Talkbass isn't best place to hold a debate on government spending, but it's worth a thought.
 
#33
Or you could just buy a British built bass. Status (http://www.status-graphite.com) make some incredible basses...and for less then you'd think (Except the Buzzard..thats just bloody ridiculous! In every way). Just because British brands dont use (...or more likely cant afford) the carpet bomb method of advertising doesn't mean they dont cut it.

Having said that...I bought a Rickenbacker 4003 for £1250 3 years ago. Theyre £995 or abouts here now...and less in America. But not once have i felt short changed. For one Rickenbackers rule and i might well have paid more. And two when i dropped it on my toe i was seen by a doctor within 5 minutes of arriving at hospital for 'free'.

Btw. Britain is great in my opinion. And im in favour of higher taxes - as we're getting political.
 
#35
I just sucked it up and bought it.

I'm 17 years old, I saved for a while and then took 12 months interest free credit from Sound Control.

Granted, Im still paying it off, but I dont regret a thing. Ill likely go the same route when I get a new rig too. :)
 
#36
It all comes down to:

The USA rules. That simple! HAHAHAHAHA:D

But Seriously,
I imagine it would cost a U.S. customer an arm and a leg to get a UK made bass. Aren't Wals made in England? What other UK companies are there?
I never really understood the American mentality that we have sooo much pride in our country, but we continually screw the US manufacturers by letting large Corps. make crap in China. My 2 American made basses construction are far better than my 2 Korean basses. Yeah, I paid a bit more for em, but isn't it worth it?
Is this trend the same across the pond? Your UK made basses are really good quality as opposed to China and Korean made?
 
#37
China isnt that cheap its only really the food and stuff there thats cheap, I mean a lot of the stuff that is made there is for foriegn sale only(and ebay scams). like the cheapo basses.


I feel a need to move to the USA, stuff is cheaper, its warmer, less rain and no chavs
 

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