Rip off Britain (as if you didn't know already)

[marzjennings]

Sorry to do this, but felt the need to post a surprising difference in the price of a bike between US and UK.

I use Chainreactioncycles a fair bit and even though I'm in the US they most often provide the best prices and shipping times. Saying that I was surprised when I researched a new bike, a Nukeproof gravel bike (yes I am that trendy). When I first arrived on the chainreaction page for this bike this is the price I saw...

Nukeproof Digger 1.0 Gravel Bike 2017 £1449.99

and when I changed country and currency...

Nukeproof Digger 1.0 Gravel Bike 2017 $1299.99

That's about a £400 difference, way more than the normal VAT difference I'm used to seeing.

Again, apologies for pointing out something you may already be aware of, but this was a surprising price difference.

 

[slowmotion]

I wanted to buy some quite good Danish-manufactured loudspeaker drive units a few years ago. The UK agent gave me a price. I bought them from a supplier in California for £200 less, even when shipping and customs fees were factored in.

The US is a big market, the UK isn't, so the prices here don't have to be internationally competitive. I think it's known as Treasure Island.

 

[screenman]

Does it cost more to do business in the UK?

 

[Lozz360]

Nukeproof is an American brand, so you would expect to pay more in the U.K. given import duties, no?

Good job you are not in France as this puzzles me: - Decathlon France currently selling on their website the B'Twin Ultra 920 AF for 1,400 € (£1,200) but on the UK site and in store, the identical Ultra 720 AF is £1,050. The same difference applies throughout their range with UK prices being considerably cheaper. I know we are still in the EU so no import duties but Decathlon are French so why charge their home market so much more?

 

[screenman]

I do not get this rip off Britain, I consider that we do very well over here in general.

 

[I like Skol]

Sorry to do this, but felt the need to post a surprising difference in the price of a bike between US and UK.

I use Chainreactioncycles a fair bit and even though I'm in the US they most often provide the best prices and shipping times. Saying that I was surprised when I researched a new bike, a Nukeproof gravel bike (yes I am that trendy). When I first arrived on the chainreaction page for this bike this is the price I saw...
Not
Nukeproof Digger 1.0 Gravel Bike 2017 £1449.99

and when I changed country and currency...

Nukeproof Digger 1.0 Gravel Bike 2017 $1299.99

That's about a £400 difference, way more than the normal VAT difference I'm used to seeing.

Again, apologies for pointing out something you may already be aware of, but this was a surprising price difference.

So don't buy it then! It can hardly be classed as an essential purchase or necessity. IMO people spending such large sums on stuff that is effectively a toy cant really justify complaining about rip offs!

 

[Dave 123]

We're ok with being ripped off, you have to put up with a big orange slug at the helm. You lose!

 

[biggs682]

So don't buy it then! It can hardly be classed as an essential purchase or necessity. IMO people spending such large sums on stuff that is effectively a toy cant really justify complaining about rip offs!

well said

 

[steveindenmark]

I bought a Moto Guzzi California in the UK and then paid more in import tax in Denmark, than I did for the actual bike.

Someone always has it worse than you.

 

[biggs682]

We're ok with being ripped off, you have to put up with a big orange slug at the helm. You lose!

just got this

 

[snorri]

Does it cost more to do business in the UK?

Only until we are out of the EU, why else would we leave?

 

[Tim Hall]

Sorry to do this, but felt the need to post a surprising difference in the price of a bike between US and UK.

I use Chainreactioncycles a fair bit and even though I'm in the US they most often provide the best prices and shipping times. Saying that I was surprised when I researched a new bike, a Nukeproof gravel bike (yes I am that trendy). When I first arrived on the chainreaction page for this bike this is the price I saw...

Nukeproof Digger 1.0 Gravel Bike 2017 £1449.99

and when I changed country and currency...

Nukeproof Digger 1.0 Gravel Bike 2017 $1299.99

That's about a £400 difference, way more than the normal VAT difference I'm used to seeing.

Again, apologies for pointing out something you may already be aware of, but this was a surprising price difference.

Don't forget bike parts attract duty at 4.7% while complete bikes are 15%. Then add VAT at 20% to the whole lot.

 

[Biff600]

I agree that we are getting ripped off here, I bought a guitar the other year that cost £1949, the exact same thing in the US is £1275. It would have been cheaper to get a flight and bring it back !!

 

[Dogtrousers]

Try going to Norway. I bought 4 AA batteries, a postcard and a stamp at Tromsø airport and found I had spent all my holiday money.

 

[Lozz360]

Don't forget bike parts attract duty at 4.7% while complete bikes are 15%. Then add VAT at 20% to the whole lot.

Don't forget shipping costs.