Rip off British Hi-Fi Industry

[Oldpinkman]

Not just cars and houses. Designer clothes are twice the price here than in most places. Food is more expensive, generally. Compared to the U.S we are paying 25% to 100% more for pretty much everything. The 'Treasure Island' reputation has not gone away.

Martin. A little truth is a dangerous thing. Because a set of golf clubs cost twice the price in the UK compared with the US - is it valid to conclude a rip-off? I think not. If it is - do us all a favour - source golf clubs in the US at an appropriate price, sell them over here, and do us a favour with US prices and make yourself a thriving business. Well maybe not you - but some enterprising soul.

Or is there a Scottish referendum style conspiracy amongst suitable entrepreneurs to rip us all off and keep prices high out of spite? The sort of spite to their own face that means they throw away a good business opportunity to sell at half the price of other UK retailers, just to shit on the consumer by keeping prices high.

Surprised at this comment - most of yours display a more robust common sense.

I want a Maton Messiah EM100C guitar (its not price that's stopping me buying one - its a few self-imposed performance criteria, of the "your not having a new set of cricket whites when you can't catch a ball" variety). Last time I checked properly the only UK stockist actually stocking one was Guitar Village for £3450. Currently they have a pre-used one - I strongly suspect the one I auditioned and very nearly bought on impulse, and no new stock. Holland is the nearest stockist showing one in stock. The UK used one is £2450.

In Australia Haworths have new stock with a Hiscox case for 3299 ozzie dollars. That's £1832 at current spot exchange. plus £170 shipping = £2003 landed. Plus duty of £63 and VAT of £408 gives me a cost to my door for brand new of £2474. New for the price of an old one! What does that guitar I had shipped sound like? How is the action? State of fret dress? What do I do if it has a bent neck - as a manufacture fault not insured shipping damage? What if the bridge unglues after 10 months?

Rip off!

[Macca]

It's well known that the global companies charge more in the UK simply because they can. That has been going on since the 1980s. I'm surprised that you deny it happens. Levi jeans, for example, in the USA are about 25% of the price in the UK. Now if you want Levi jeans that is what you have to buy, there is no cheaper alternative and UK punters will pay the extra to have them. U.S punters won't.

As for importing the golf clubs from the U.S - once you add VAT and duty and cost of shipping your imported product is not going to be that much cheaper. But people do this already and make a living at it so not sure what your point is there.

[Floyddroid]

Yawn!

[Peter Galbavy]

It's well known that the global companies charge more in the UK simply because they can. That has been going on since the 1980s. I'm surprised that you deny it happens. Levi jeans, for example, in the USA are about 25% of the price in the UK. Now if you want Levi jeans that is what you have to buy, there is no cheaper alternative and UK punters will pay the extra to have them. U.S punters won't.

As for importing the golf clubs from the U.S - once you add VAT and duty and cost of shipping your imported product is not going to be that much cheaper. But people do this already and make a living at it so not sure what your point is there.

The important notes here though that may not be clear to all are that the global brands use the courts to stop you, as an "unauthorised" retailer from undercutting their selected local channels. This is collusion between brand and retailers at the expense of consumers.

On the second one, the missing ingredient here even if you are not sued by the manufacturer or rights holder is that you invariably only get a small discount if anything off retail from the source country and so obviously you don't look competitive. If you could buy at the same price as the foreign retailers and do the import with the additional taxes and shipping then prices would be competitive and you end up in being sued. Again.

Return to go.

[Oldpinkman]

Have I missed some key AOS protocol here? Am I required to post "YAWN" on every thread I find boring and of no interest, or is it acceptable just to carry on not bothering to read them.

I'd hate to be thought of as rude.

[hifi_dave]

It's well known that the global companies charge more in the UK simply because they can. That has been going on since the 1980s. I'm surprised that you deny it happens. Levi jeans, for example, in the USA are about 25% of the price in the UK. Now if you want Levi jeans that is what you have to buy, there is no cheaper alternative and UK punters will pay the extra to have them. U.S punters won't..

During our visit to Florida in August, I noted that Levi 501s were $65 - $70 + their 6% sales tax.

[Marco]

Have I missed some key AOS protocol here? Am I required to post "YAWN" on every thread I find boring and of no interest, or is it acceptable just to carry on not bothering to read them.

I'd hate to be thought of as rude.

Yeah, if folks find a particular thread boring, it’s best just to ignore it and move onto another thread that isn’t

Marco.

[337alant]

I voted don't care because most of my HIFI is made up of Vintage and DIY gear , so don't use dealers much but I think they are a lot better that they used to be as they have had to change with the times.
I would imagine that online is killing the industry

Alan

[FidelityArt]

I personally think that everything above £5000 is a rip-off.

[YNWaN]

Not £4500? How did you arrive at that figure?