The 48% price increase for us in the EU covers the 20% import tax duty + postage and packing and then some. If they were selling them here for the equivalent of the US price then yes I could understand them not wanting to make a loss but that just isnt the case.
Just to make it clear - as G66 is a company, they dont have to really pay the 20% (or is it 19% in germany? Dont matter, you get the idea) import-VAT. A few yeras ago, a company would have had to pay it at the moment of import, but get it back later form the financial revenue office. Nowadays, especcially if you work with one import-forwarder all the time, you usually file an "Import-VAT-New"-authority, so the forwarder automatically debits your account at the revenue office (companys have an "EORI"-number for that), and the rev.office equals it. Either way -> case closed.
Of course, G66 still has to pay CUSTOMS, but this will be somewhere between 3-4% (I would have to look up the customs tariff code for the exact percentage) instead of 20+%, packaging and freight costs. And, as he has to offer in EURO, he has to include exchange-rate-fluctuations. And last but not least: A business must make profit, otherwise its not a good business.
Sure - the price difference is still bigger (imho) as it should be - considering that usually a distributor doesnt buy for the full price.
Another thing: Price for a "buy it now" Axe-II is not too far from the actual EU price. What would stop me, or any other, to have a friend buy it for us and ship it to Europe as "used electronic gear" with a declared value for customs of $99?
Becauss customs officers aren't idiots (contrary to the common believe
), and they have internet access and know how to use google. You have to present an official invoice or a printout of the ebay auction as a proof - ebay wont work with the 99,- method, so it will be an invoice most likely, even then: they look up the common street price for the product. If the difference is too big, you are automatically accused of tax fraud. Not a fun situation. Not recommended!
I'm no expert on this matter but I believe this to be correct and I don't even think 'legally imported/duty paid' makes any difference!
US warranty =/= EU warranty.
In Europe, there are 2 different versions of "warranty". The first one, on which every customer has a legal right on (but not in this case, I'll explain shortly below), means more like "Ensuring the function"; "Gewährleistung" in german. This lasts per law for 2 years, BUT only for products bought as "new", and you can only claim it from the seller - not from the manufacturer, and of course NOT from the distributor if you havent bought it from him. (And after the first 6 months, YOU would have to proof that the defect is not selfmade)
The second one, the original meaning of warranty ("Garantie" in german) Contrary to the common believe, a customer has no legal right on "warranty". Warranty is given on good will by the seller. If you dont have a written confirmation from the company you bought the product from (!!) stating "Warranty: 2 years from the date of invoice" (or something like that; just as an example) - you dont have any.
In the US, this is all covered under "warranty".
Oh, and just to make it sure - NO, I'm not working @ G66
I just thought these things needed to be clarified a bit (at least I hope I did).
I myself have ordered an Ultra beginning of the year, late Jan, early Feb or something like that - I cant even remember... - and now waiting for the II. And I am very dis-satisfied with the situation. Its not that my life would depend on it, but we have been fed with false informations since day one, and thats unacceptable.
