Sony Reader on pre-order at the Fnac (France) ; ebooks coming soon too !

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, we do pay VAT, of course, although at a slightly lower rate (17.5% compared to your 19.6%).

It is a little cheaper in the UK and Ireland compared to France, yes. We're paying €212 excluding VAT; you're paying €250 excluding VAT.

so, even if we know that common practice is to take the US price and change the "$" to "€" for sales in europe, how do they justify THAT difference ??? really, i think it's pretty outrageous. do they think we've all got money trees growing on the windowsill over here ???? sheesh.

[JSWolf]

What I want to know is if you purchase a 505 in the USA, can you claim the warranty in countries where the 505 is also sold?

[zelda_pinwheel]

i don't know but i bet we're going to find out really soon...

[Slite]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What I want to know is if you purchase a 505 in the USA, can you claim the warranty in countries where the 505 is also sold?

I don't know about the 505 specifically, but other gadgets I have bought in the US which have broken down I have NOT been able to claim warranty for over here, even tho the same gadget is sold here at a substantialy higher price.

[HarryT]

You can always buy one from the UK or Ireland, of course. It should be easy enough to find a retailer who will ship to France.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You can always buy one from the UK or Ireland, of course. It should be easy enough to find a retailer who will ship to France.

true. but that is still a higher price than the US price. for some people this is a significant difference ; it could be the difference between buying one, and not buying one.

[Slite]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You can always buy one from the UK or Ireland, of course. It should be easy enough to find a retailer who will ship to France.

Sure one could, but it still doesnt justify the HUGE difference in pricing. A 505 costs $299 in the US, yes?

According to the conversionrate as I can figure it, that would be like £166 (give or take a dollar or a pound). So, selling it for £212 or what you said is still quite a bit of a markup.

[HarryT]

Electronic goods are almost always more expensive in Europe than in the US. I'm not saying it's right, but it is the way it is, and I think that most people are used to the fact.

In the specific case of the 505, the UK price is actually only very slightly higher than the US price. It would certainly be cheaper to buy one from the UK than to ship one from the US, given that transatlantic shipping for such an item works is typically about $40.

[tonyofla]

So if the 505 is being released in France on Oct 23rd, this must surely mean that there won’t be any new hardware announced at Sony event on Oct 2nd?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Slite

Sure one could, but it still doesnt justify the HUGE difference in pricing. A 505 costs $299 in the US, yes?

According to the conversionrate as I can figure it, that would be like £166 (give or take a dollar or a pound). So, selling it for £212 or what you said is still quite a bit of a markup.

I think you've worked out your figures a little wrongly.

As you say, the US price works out to £166, but that's excluding VAT. Add 17.5% VAT and that becomes £195. We're actually paying £199, so that's only £4 (about $7) price difference. That's not too bad.

[Slite]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think you've worked out your figures a little wrongly.

As you say, the US price works out to £166, but that's excluding VAT. Add 17.5% VAT and that becomes £195. We're actually paying £199, so that's only £4 (about $7) price difference. That's not too bad.

I stand corrected Thanks for clearing that up.

[kesey]

Originally Posted by tonyofla

So if the 505 is being released in France on Oct 23rd, this must surely mean that there won’t be any new hardware announced at Sony event on Oct 2nd?

Good point.

Maybe the increased price is for a wifi addon Tony? or perhaps they are giving out two free boxes of Laduree macaroons with each 505?

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by kesey

Good point.

Maybe the increased price is for a wifi addon Tony? or perhaps they are giving out two free boxes of Laduree macaroons with each 505?

well, there is no sign of wifi in the pre-order page or the "info-publicité" page, but i guess we can always hope for some Ladurée macarons... (pistachio and coffee for me please).

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Slite

I don't know about the 505 specifically, but other gadgets I have bought in the US which have broken down I have NOT been able to claim warranty for over here, even tho the same gadget is sold here at a substantially higher price.

I'll stop by SonyStyle when I am in town tomorrow and ask. Hopefully they will be able to tell me the answer.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think you've worked out your figures a little wrongly.

As you say, the US price works out to £166, but that's excluding VAT. Add 17.5% VAT and that becomes £195. We're actually paying £199, so that's only £4 (about $7) price difference. That's not too bad.

And you would have to add tax to the US price. They amount varies depending on the state but would likely eat up the $7 and then some.

Dale