Quote:
Originally Posted by ISedlacek  VAT does not help. Just a random example: Horch RM2J microphone - in the country of origin (Germany) in the Thomann store (one of the cheapest): 4100 EUR excl. VAT (= cca 6050 dollars). Mercenary:5000 dollars = 3400 EUR. The postage from the US can cost 60-200 dollars (depending on a carrier). So where would you buy it ? |
5000 US Dollars + 269 shipping + 20 bank transfer (or paypal, but they give you less dollars, compared to a normal bank)= 5289
/ 1,46 = 3622 euros
duane 4% 3767 euros
19% tax 4483Euros including everything
Thomann 4879euros including everything
395 more buying from germany.
where does it come from?
in the most cases i know, i worked at a large music instrument retailer a while, its caused by the high price the german retailer has to pay. In a normal situation its manufacturer - distribution (which is often x1,5) - retailer (1,3 ... hard times).
I dont know where the us retailers buy it, maybe direct?
The strange thing for me is that a US retailer gets less euros for dollars than the other way round, so its still strange. Maybe high class audio gear is more sold in the us market, so they get better prices.
BTW,
if your unit has to be repaired it can get pain in the axx.