Price fixing on UK consumer electronics - investigating/reporting

ebyss

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Don't forget there may be customs duty, vat and RM charges on top of this. Best check before ordering.

^ I've looked into importing one myself from B&H in the US (the only seller that I've seen that exports to the UK from the US) and they've got a non-DAB for $189.95. Even with international courier shipping plus estimated import duties (the courier always slaps on an 'admin' charge of their own, the rascals!), I estimate that it would cost me around £195 to import from them...

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Edit, OP just found this, don't know if its any help to you. http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?lang=&submenu=&menu=&product_id=24769&session=f847cf8c7d80f1900a3ab2ae4879566a

^ That appears to be a link to an iPhone. <-- It's my dissatisfaction with Apple products (I have a current gen iPod Classic 80GB that I'd hoped to replace with a Cowon D2) which has sent me off on this adventure in the first place!

I'll browse the site to see if I can track down the D2 there.

The eBay listing appears to be for a non-DAB version of the player as well, the one that clocks in at around £160 UK price-wise, so is similarly expensive...

Thanks!

ebyss

dc wrote: »

Most international firms have always just changed the $ sign to £ for as long as I know. Electronics and software are the the biggest offenders, (MIcrosoft et al :rolleyes: )

We are not called Rip Off Britain for nothing. It is mainly because we put up with it, becoming an easy touch:rolleyes2

^ This is true - I used to import videogames consoles for donkey's years due to the raw deal European consumers get (inflated price, inferior quality/performance of product...).

It is weird, however, that most of the other mp3 brands (Apple, SanDisk, Creative, Sony, etc), don't have a 100% markup policy...

ebyss

Sigur wrote: »

Yeah, that isn't price fixing....

If it's not "price fixing", then what's the proper term to use when describing/reporting this practice?

I need to know so that I can register my complaint in the appropriate fashion.

I've logged a complaint with amazon.co.uk re. the inflated price when normally they do a reasonable deal, but their customer service department have told me that while they take it very seriously they are not obliged to inform me about the outcome of their investigation into the matter!

What a crock! :rotfl:

custardy

price fixing would mean all the uk retailers had got together and set a price between them
retailers on the other hand are free to charge whatever mark up suits them.

Fifer

It isn't price fixing IMO. It's a function of supply and demand. Companies will charge whatever a market will bear. That's how free market economics works.

A few things to consider however:

The exchange rate makes US prices seem very cheap.
The US prices you quote will not include sales tax but the UK ones will include VAT.
There is more competition in the bigger US market which drives down prices.
It's cheaper to manufacture and ship goods to the massive US market and these economies of scale allow cheaper pricing.
US consumers do not enjoy the same consumer rights as we do, which adds cost to UK sellers.

Blacksheep1979

retailers not buying at retail price? Whatever next. Yes lots of stuff is almost gbp for usd - get used to living in a country with high taxes that is seen as a cash cow. It's not price fixing but these retailers have had to pay a higher price than the retail price in the states.

Fifer

It's nothing to do with tax.

uktim29

Fifer wrote: »

It's nothing to do with tax.

Thanks for the full explanation as to why you think it's nothing to do with tax.

Well VAT which is a tax does have some impact well and extra 17.5% on everything. As already mentioned this country is so highly regulated this ads a lot of costs to running business's which have an impact on final price. That means all those laws that are there to protect the stupid/argumentitive we all end up paying for.

Wholesale prices have an impact. In many cases it's the wholesale cost that has an impact on markup. I know this is why most Microsoft software is more expensive in the UK. It's because Microsoft charge Uk retailers more for it.

Also it's not a case of "we just put up wth it". There are many more things that are expensive in the US. In the States lager is twice the cost of ours. If you want a decent loaf of bread in the states it will cost you about £3. They have to pay for their bank accounts. Their electricity is twice the cost of hours. Even most Mcdonalds meals in the States cost more than they do here.

Ever heard of "the grass is greener on the other side".

Fifer

uktim29 wrote: »

Thanks for the full explanation as to why you think it's nothing to do with tax.

I did - see post 16.

Well VAT which is a tax does have some impact well and extra 17.5% on everything.

Practically every country in the world applies sales tax (it isn't usually included in US published prices). Our VAT is amongst the lower levels in Europe.