The forum is open to anyone from any area. The reality is that the largest percentage of active posters appears to be from the US. If the forum skews in that direction, it is solely based on participatory activity, not by design or agenda.
The forum is open to anyone from any area. The reality is that the largest percentage of active posters appears to be from the US. If the forum skews in that direction, it is solely based on participatory activity, not by design or agenda.
"When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."
~ Benjamin Franklin
This is a post from "Covid" May 2020 that got a bit heated. It was specifically started about US retailers staying in business. A spammer reopened it to mention video cards a couple of days ago and unfortunately, as you didn't notice it was an old thread, you replied to it and restarted it.
No, this isn't a US forum but posts about US retailers will by their very nature draw US members to reply.
We have a lot of spammers who come on here and resurrect dead threads like this one. It's best to report them and not to reply to them because the administrator isn't quick to remove them.
Last edited by Chrissy; July 4th, 2021 at 04:28 AM.
Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023), carlos.q (July 4th, 2021), eachan (July 4th, 2021), guyy (July 4th, 2021), INeedAFinancialAdvisor (July 4th, 2021), Jon Szanto (July 4th, 2021), PenInvestigations (December 7th, 2021), penwash (July 4th, 2021), SlowMovingTarget (July 4th, 2021), TSherbs (July 4th, 2021)
Thanks Jon and Chrissie.
Global pricing for branded, thus identical everywhere, products is a source of continuous debate. Most of the somewhat heated responses seemed to originate from the difference in cutomary quoting prices excl. sales tax (US) and incl. VAT (EU). Hence my somewhat rhetorical question.
Brands would like to keep the final consumer price at par with the perceived value for the consumer in any given market, and preferably not that different from country to country or region to region.
But since there is VAT (and other taxes if we talk e.g. about cars) the price excl. those taxes can differ. Since the threshold for incurring import duties etc. in the US is 800 dollars (by the way, the same threshold in the EU is 0 (zero) euros) the smart consumer makes use of that by ordering overseas. Those price difference thus have little to do with anyone filling their pocket with or without service or whatever. It is merely a consequence of the brand’s pricing policy and global difference in taxation.
One more by the way for the EU: any brand trying to fix prices at retailers facing consumers is breaking the law. Pricing is free, giving discount is free, and any interference therewith is against the law and punishable with 10% of the brand’s global consolidated revenue. And this is no paper tiger either: just google price fixation cases…
Last edited by Linger; July 4th, 2021 at 04:41 AM.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023), eachan (July 4th, 2021)
I didn't see, but I also just skimmed the thread so I may have missed it, any mention of customs and duties to import things into the US. I know that most things, especially less expensive things, arrive in a timely fashion from outside the US and without major hassles. But unless it's something truly unique I can't get anywhere else, I don't want to even consider dealing with US customs and import duties. It might be dead easy for all I know. But I don't want to find out. So yes, I buy from US retailers knowing full well I'm paying extra for that. I'm not being patriotic. I am being lazy, and I am paying a sloth tax. Yawn
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
Add 21% VAT to the product prices, and you can see how much Europeans pay for this pen. You don't pay VAT and usually go through customs without paying import or sales tax. Most states require you to report and pay tax on online purchases, and most people don't. So technically, your prices are inaccurate. If you look at pen retailers in the U.S., you will likely find similar prices among retailers. To avoid the tax, you need to make a check; you can find one similar to thepaystubs.com . Good luck, I hope I have helped you!
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
Delicacy reported
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023), carlos.q (September 28th, 2021), penwash (September 28th, 2021)
My prices are accurate. I look at what comes out of my bank account. We dont pay VAT because we aren't in the EU. The reason that Pelikan prices are higher is because the US distributor charges higher prices to retailers which is then passed onto the customer. All I am doing is engaging in a globalized free market economy.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
In my limited experience the US, with a few exceptions, doesn't tax services. There is no Goods and Services Tax (GST). Business taxes and licensing are imposed by state and local authorities.
You may not be old enough to remember that before Australia introduced the GST, the Federal Government claimed that sales tax (hidden in the cost of an item and varied by item) would be eliminated. That claimed proved -- not unexpectedly -- to be a falsehood.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
I would offer that for anyone starting a business extensive financial literacy is a must. Starting and building a business requires an understanding of so much more than banking, investment, and business practices. It requires a deep understanding of macro and micro economics ( https://www.vedantu.com/commerce/dif...acro-economics ) and so much more.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
Visit Main Street Pens
A full service pen shop providing professional, thoughtful pen repair....
Please contact us by email, and not PM for repair inquiries.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023), dneal (October 21st, 2021), NobleSixSeven (October 20th, 2021), TFarnon (October 23rd, 2021)
But what to do when the prices are too high?
You brought up another factor as well. There are shoppers who, regardless of what they may be shopping for, patronise retailers for reasons other than bargain prices. It may be that they have a perception of better service, trust, a relationship developed over time, or any of a vast number of personal reasons.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
Absolutely. I have fountain pen vendors I prefer, often simply because they are on this side of the country (Far West). When I order something from Jet Pens and it's in stock, I know that most of the time it will be in my hands 2 days later. I could theoretically drive to their warehouse and back in the space of one very long day, weather and traffic permitting. Same with Bittner, only a longer day. Stuff coming from Florida and other states in the Southeast takes for.ev.er to get here. That means four to five days, by which point I'm stalking the poor mailman. It would take me at least 4 long days to drive to Florida and back. So that's part of it.
Customer service is another factor for me, as is the way the website is laid out, whether they still send a paper catalog (I lurves me some pen porn), whether they put a piece of candy in every shipment, and selection.
I wouldn't pay twice the price for a pen I particularly want, but I doubt I'd blink at a slightly to moderately higher price from one of my favorite merchants.
Reputation matters to me a lot when buying vintage or antique pens.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023), PenInvestigations (December 7th, 2021)
But what to do when the prices are too high?
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
Do not forget that watches are a luxury item. People buy themselves expensive good watches when they can afford them. Rarely do they pay attention to the difference in price or look for a place where the goods can be bought cheaper. After all, the price includes not only the watch but also the store's service, the employee's salary. Thus, customers can give preference to certain stores.
Of course, in other areas, it is a little more complicated. Sometimes retailers have to use the services of factoring companies. I know that many people are looking for them on one good site factorforyou.com.
In the market of free competition, everything is not so simple.
Last edited by Mazanbik; December 7th, 2021 at 03:04 PM.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
Spammer reported. Same person but under a new account.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
I disagree with this. Watches are indeed a luxury item, but people do pay attention to the difference in price. That is why grey market dealers are so successful. Nobody wants to pay 8000 for an omega that can be bought brand new for 4000. Not really sure why its the job of the customer to account for the 'employee's salary', and not the owner/retailer. If the company is able to profit from selling to grey market dealer at 4000, then they can sell to the retail customer at that price too.
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023)
Bisquitlips (January 23rd, 2023), Chrissy (December 13th, 2021), CrayonAngelss (December 11th, 2021), dneal (December 12th, 2021), eachan (December 11th, 2021), Jon Szanto (December 11th, 2021)
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