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Quote: Originally posted by snakeeyes21 on 25/5/2010

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Im not surprised, after all we do live in a rip off country.

But many things will increase the cost, import duties, transport costs, overheads such as rent, rates, wages, all these things cost alot more here than they do in the US.

Economies of scale, the US has a larger market, so their distributors can get lower prices from the manufacturers, they can also afford to make lower margins, in this case walmart probably get them at or below cost price, and sell them at a very small profit margin.

Also you have chosen one of the worlds largest supermarket chains to compare prices with, its like comparing a corner shop prices with Tesco.

Im sure if you compared prices with Uncle Bobs general store in Central Utah prices wouldnt be so different

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Quote: Originally posted by Cross Camping on 26/5/2010

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Hi
It would be interesting to hear who we all think is ripping us off... Chinese manufacturer, Brand suppliers, Retailer, Government, shop landlord, local government ie rates etc, Exchange rates, Oil companies (raw materials).

The reason I ask is I can promise you its not the Brand supplier or retailer as I have worked for a brand and am now a retailer. If people new the full costs of setting up and running a retail business they would know its not the retailer ripping anyone off.
Gary Cross

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Well the biggest problem is probably the government and the amount of tax that they take, import duty, tax on fuel to transport the goods, rates on the shop where the goods are sold, vat on the goods, and probably a couple of other taxes that I have missed, so there is a good chance that on the item that I linked to the UK government take more in tax than the item actually retails for in the US

 

The Chinese manufacturer probably gets the real thin end of the wedge with their margins cut to the bone so I suppose it is the UK government that is the real villain of the bunch

 

US sales tax 6% UK VAT 17.5% and if rumours are correct then that is also set to rise  

 

6% tax - 17.5% VAT still doesn't defend the price difference quoted by the OP. Europe doesn't seem any cheaper than the UK, certainly post euro. Maybe I just have a tainted view of everything costing next to nothing in France, Spain, Greece etc.. But on the limited trips I've had to Europe over the passed ten years, you have to search for bargains... Do Walmart ship to the UK? Maybe I should go into my local ASDA and ask them for an interbranch transfer?

Quote: Originally posted by Alphonso De Lard on 26/5/2010

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6% tax - 17.5% VAT still doesn't defend the price difference quoted by the OP. Europe doesn't seem any cheaper than the UK, certainly post euro. Maybe I just have a tainted view of everything costing next to nothing in France, Spain, Greece etc.. But on the limited trips I've had to Europe over the passed ten years, you have to search for bargains... Do Walmart ship to the UK? Maybe I should go into my local ASDA and ask them for an interbranch transfer?

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No sadly Wal-Mart doesn’t ship to the UK but if they did you still wouldn’t escape the grabbing hand of the UK customs and excise

 

Any thing that you import from the US is assessed by customs and then you have to pay import duty based on the declared value of the goods

 

Then vat is assessed not only on the value of goods purchased but also on the cost of shipping and the import duty levied above

 

And then the shipping company will pay all the duty and vat on your behalf and then charge you an admin charge of £10.00 or 2% of the value of goods which ever is greater

 

so personal import from the USA wont save you big bucks either

 

I am sorry this is complete nonsense! The American market is five times the size of the UK market and in leisure goods, given the weather a lot of the USA enjoys is likely even bigger. The USA is also nearer to where the goods are made. Also given that the US market is so large they even have to change the electrical system for sales in Europe. Therefore its hardly surprising that in terms of volume/shipping/tax differences that it is more costly to buy something in Europe. Nothing to do with rip off Europe just economy of scale.

David 

well I still say use your Independent store as much as possible. Even if it is a pound or two more expensive as if you don't we will see them all go to the wall and then where will you see all the tents on display?  When was the last time you saw a tent on display in any of the supermarkets or places like Halfords? Walmart destroyed the independent camping market in the USA and if people do not watch out it will happen easily here. Then where will the knowledge come from. Not from supermarket check out people who just stack the stuff and have no better idea what a HH is then the calorific value of a tin of beans.

I can only guess at the costs of setting up a camping store...... It must be massive. Imagine having to set up a field of tents which are getting bigger and bigger with their footprints just for most people to go and look at? It's no wonder that there are fewer and fewer new independent stores opening.

Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 28/5/2010

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I am sorry this is complete nonsense!

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