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> Electronics prices in the EU are simply crazy. I remember being upset that the same laptop cost more in Australia than it did in the US, then I realized that

> Electronics prices in the EU are simply crazy. I remember being upset that the same laptop cost more in Australia than it did in the US, then I realized that it had a lot more to do with Australia's corporate tax rates. Turns out... companies do pass on taxes to the end purchasers. It feels, and I don't mean offense here, that if the EU wants to tell companies which power plugs they can use, and stay heavy-handed with corporate tax rates, that people in the EU will need to just accept higher prices as the outcome of their leaders' actions. Currency fluctuations, and corporate taxes explain all the price differences. Someone said "Oh it costs 7% more now than it did 2 years ago!" Gosh, compared to the rest of everything a price hike of only 7% seems like a really good deal over the last 3 years. =P (But I get we aren't used to tech prices ever going up over time.) No company is in the business of giving things away, y'know? Anyway Apple just wants a profit of $X per unit. If your country adds a bunch of rules and costs, that's fine it's your right to self-govern and set whatever laws you want, but Apple is still going to get a profit of $X per unit. Edit: Later today I'm picking up a laptop for a colleague who is coming in to town next week from an EU country. He wanted to buy it in the US since it was so much cheaper. Good timing on this post. (=

geodel 4y ago
Exactly right. This assumption that physical goods can cost about same all across the world is hilarious. Tax policies, interest rates, inflation, exchange rates, local laws etc..etc cause so many things make items priced differently across geographies.
- shrx 4y ago
  Funny how it happens to be the cheapest in the US, huh
  - astrange 4y ago
    That's because the US doesn't have VAT and lists prices without sales tax.
  - bombcar 4y ago
    As the other posted mentioned, but also the US works damn hard to make sure we get our fill of cheap shit to keep us content and happy. There are tons of things that we literally tarrif at 0% that other countries hit much higher. Add into that things like shipping costs in various areas, and it can all add up.
Symbiote 4y ago
> He wanted to buy it in the US since it was so much cheaper. He needs to declare it when he returns to the EU, and pay the same taxes. (Assuming it costs more than €430, which is the limit for bringing personal goods into the EU by plane.)
- dbg31415 4y ago
  I understand that receipts are required by law, but in my experience, no one checks for them unless you leave your laptop in the box (or declare it). If you put it in a laptop bag or simply say that it's a work laptop, you will likely not be questioned. I have traveled to over 25 countries with a laptop and have never had any issues. It seems that everyone buys laptops in the US and brings them home this way; whether they are in Australia, Costa Rica -- or even the EU -- on a personal level, nobody wants to pay more, especially not more taxes. The only time I have paid import taxes was when I sent a used phone and laptop to a person on Reddit who needed them in Canada. Even though the devices were over five years old, the Canadian tax authorities wanted me to pay new retail prices for them. I paid the taxes so that the kid could receive the devices. I'm pretty sure I could have just declared them as having a value of $100, but by the time I got involved the kid had already said it was an "Apple Laptop" and the Postal Mounties just assumed a new sticker price. Frustrating.

geodel 4y ago

Exactly right. This assumption that physical goods can cost about same all across the world is hilarious. Tax policies, interest rates, inflation, exchange rates, local laws etc..etc cause so many things make items priced differently across geographies.

shrx 4y ago
Funny how it happens to be the cheapest in the US, huh
- astrange 4y ago
  That's because the US doesn't have VAT and lists prices without sales tax.
- bombcar 4y ago
  As the other posted mentioned, but also the US works damn hard to make sure we get our fill of cheap shit to keep us content and happy. There are tons of things that we literally tarrif at 0% that other countries hit much higher. Add into that things like shipping costs in various areas, and it can all add up.

Symbiote 4y ago

> He wanted to buy it in the US since it was so much cheaper. He needs to declare it when he returns to the EU, and pay the same taxes. (Assuming it costs more than €430, which is the limit for bringing personal goods into the EU by plane.)

dbg31415 4y ago
I understand that receipts are required by law, but in my experience, no one checks for them unless you leave your laptop in the box (or declare it). If you put it in a laptop bag or simply say that it's a work laptop, you will likely not be questioned. I have traveled to over 25 countries with a laptop and have never had any issues. It seems that everyone buys laptops in the US and brings them home this way; whether they are in Australia, Costa Rica -- or even the EU -- on a personal level, nobody wants to pay more, especially not more taxes. The only time I have paid import taxes was when I sent a used phone and laptop to a person on Reddit who needed them in Canada. Even though the devices were over five years old, the Canadian tax authorities wanted me to pay new retail prices for them. I paid the taxes so that the kid could receive the devices. I'm pretty sure I could have just declared them as having a value of $100, but by the time I got involved the kid had already said it was an "Apple Laptop" and the Postal Mounties just assumed a new sticker price. Frustrating.