prices ???

tuckson · September 4, 2001, 14:47

Hi

Any of you Americans, are the prices in the ads on the news page like those for other games in the US?

I thought things were cheaper with you, but it seems not.

I calculated the prices to our (dutch) local currrency and...
Actually I first looked at the price of the LE, and found myself back, lying on the floor gasping for some breath.

After having got myself back on the chair I looked at the "normal"edition prices which also occurred some more expensive then over here.

However, The amazon UK price appeared to be a little lower.

PreOrdering in the US becomes quite a financial adventure this way.

Anyone?

Sabre2th · September 4, 2001, 15:30

This is somewhat off topic, but why did you think prices would be lower here? In the global economy, things are usually about the same price. (Not always, but a fair amount of the time)

Gramphos · September 4, 2001, 15:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Sabre2th
This is somewhat off topic, but why did you think prices would be lower here? In the global economy, things are usually about the same price. (Not always, but a fair amount of the time)

I thought that the prices are lower in the global economy as you have less tax. How mush sales tax does you actually have on computer games? In Sweden we have 25%, and if I would order any game from outside EU I would have to pay 12% custom an everything (including shipping) and on that pay 25% tax. I have to keep my business deals within the EU.
Hopefully will my retailer have take home the Collector’s Edition if I ask.

How mush I have to pay for Civ 3 is still unknown.

Dauphin · September 4, 2001, 17:03

I thought things were cheaper with you, but it seems not.

I calculated the prices to our (dutch) local currrency and...

Considering how weak the Euro is it is hardly surprising.

tuckson · September 17, 2001, 05:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Crunch
I thought things were cheaper with you, but it seems not.

I calculated the prices to our (dutch) local currrency and...

Considering how weak the Euro is it is hardly surprising.

Well, actually we're still counting in Dutch Guilders. The Euro is available for consumers from 1-1-2002

However, I (and many with me) actually are not really waiting for the Euro anyway. We'ld prefer to keep our own money...

faded glory · September 17, 2001, 07:41

If I had to guess its going to come in around US-49.00-69.00$. Thats usally the price of games like this. i dont know how many pounds in England, or Shillings in Australia

saracen31 · September 17, 2001, 10:40

Originally posted by Gramphos

Quote:

I thought that the prices are lower in the global economy as you have less tax. How mush sales tax does you actually have on computer games? In Sweden we have 25%, and if I would order any game from outside EU I would have to pay 12% custom an everything (including shipping) and on that pay 25% tax.

Actually Gramphos, sales tax here is done on a state-by-state basis. Here in Texas, it's 8.25%, and we don't pay state income tax at all. You'll see sales taxes range all over the place - that's one of the debates about internet sales: should states collect the tax for interstate commerce, and at what rate?

Dauphin · September 17, 2001, 13:18

Quote:

Originally posted by tuckson
Well, actually we're still counting in Dutch Guilders. The Euro is available for consumers from 1-1-2002

But the x/c rate has been fixed for all participating countries for a couple of years now.

tuckson · September 18, 2001, 00:30

Quote:

But the x/c rate has been fixed for all participating countries for a couple of years now.

Well, yes, but only compared to Euro. The dollar vs the guilder still fluctuates. That's also one of peoples main concerns here. When Euro finally comes in, many things will become relatively more expensive for us, while countries with a very much less stable currency will benefit form the Euro because things become cheaper for them.

However, I'm not an expert, so maybe I'm wrong...

Grim Legacy · September 18, 2001, 03:21

Quote:

Originally posted by tuckson

Well, yes, but only compared to Euro. The dollar vs the guilder still fluctuates. That's also one of peoples main concerns here. When Euro finally comes in, many things will become relatively more expensive for us, while countries with a very much less stable currency will benefit form the Euro because things become cheaper for them.

However, I'm not an expert, so maybe I'm wrong...

Ehm no. The EUR/ internal currencies have been fixed. For example; the EUR is 2.20371 DFL.

The dollar, yen and euro are all subject to fluctuations relative to each other.

Regarding the guy that made the comment on the weak euro: this has indeed been a hindrance for overseas purchases, but the EUR is now steadily rising, hitting 'acceptable' levels and making dealing with US companies feasible once again.

Have you seen Civ3 CE in any local store on pre-order? I've just checked online and thebest offer so far is about 86 USD including taxes, including shipping. Pricey indeed.

Blacksurf · September 18, 2001, 03:32

Over here in the UK it will be either £29.99 (the usual price of a PC game) or possibly £34.99 (for some games - MYST III:Exile for example).

According to my exhange converter that's about,

$43.99 USD
47.64 EURO
105 Dutch Guilder
$88 Austrailian $

Ok, so we have to wait for two week,s but to import from the US will cost

$49 CIV III
$35 Shipping
$20 or so Tax & Customs
---
$104 or £70 (or for the LE around £100) so I think I'll wait the two weeks.

Aco · September 18, 2001, 04:22

You say it might be 105 guilders?

Ehm.. if I'm not mistaken, that could be correct.. I usually pay 100 or more guilders for a typical game. So that wouldn't be a problem for me.

Still this year will be an expensive one.. my must buy list consists of 2 games (Civ3 and Morrowind), and already I forked out for 3 other games.. still.. my other 'hobby' (smoking) is alot more expensive *cough*.. so its all relative

Thanks for the price calcs mate!

Aco

Provost Harrison · September 18, 2001, 04:44

Actually computer games in this country (UK) do seem to be cheaper than in the US. And that is comparing our retail prices to your online orders. Our online orders are a bit cheaper again. I think this is one of the very few things that works out cheaper over here.

CDs tend to be the same price for standard retail stuff between both countries, but I have found mail ordering from the US to be a lot cheaper. If you keep your purchase less than £19 a go, they can't charge you anything at all!

Sava · September 18, 2001, 05:25

Civ 3 is costing me $39.95 US from Global Computer outlet store.

Sales tax in IL is 6.75%.

25%? Ouch, and I thought our taxes were bad.

"Religion is the leading cause of death in history!"

Sava · September 18, 2001, 05:26

hehe Provost, I'm honored to be a part of your posts.

IL is Illinois, BTW...

I just wanted to clarify that for all the non-Americans.

Dauphin · September 18, 2001, 05:40

The one thing you notice when you go to the US is that the price NET of tax is on display and they hike the price at the checkout. Elsewhere the prices never gives you the tax component. OK not strictly true but you have to be observant.

VAT (Value Added Tax

) or Sales Tax is 17.5% in the UK. So a £40 game is £6 tax.

BTW I thought the US had, city, state and federal taxes?

jdd2007 · September 20, 2001, 03:59

that is correct. we pay income taxes among others to all 3 but i believe we only pay sales tax to local and state.

rixxe · September 20, 2001, 05:07

Quote:

Originally posted by Blacksurf $104 or £70 (or for the LE around £100) so I think I'll wait the two weeks.

For me it will be:

Civ3 LE: $59.99
Shipping: $12.98 (5-10 Business Days)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub-Total: $72.97
--------------------------------------------------------------------
VAT (7.5%): $5.47
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: $78.44 / CHF 124.90

As the game will cost 69.90 here,...