BTatHome
Tour Winner
Depends if you've included the sales tax that your likely to pay into that figure too
Equipment price drops!
- Thread starter delc
- Start date
Depends if you've included the sales tax that your likely to pay into that figure too
One Planer
Global Moderator
Is that the tax that varies by state?
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
Surely it's supply and demand as well, ie, more Golfers in US, more product, cheaper price.
BTatHome
Tour Winner
Yeah, you can sometimes get away with it if your purchasing online but generally it can be 8%
UlyssesSky
Head Pro
^^This.
The prices displayed in the webshop don't inlcude sales tax, since this can differ from state to state. The tax will be added during the check-out process. So, if we assume a 10% sales tax, the final price of the M1 in the US would be about GBP380, leaving a 20 GBP difference to the UK price. That's 5%..
Hacker Khan
Yurt Dwelling, Yoghurt Knitter
To get back to my original post, why are the latest golf clubs more expensive in the UK than in the US. My friend who regularly visits relations in the States says that you pay about the same in Dollars as you do in Pounds over here, but the Dollar is only about 2/3rd the value of the Pound. Rip-off Britain again?
I've been to the states a few times with work and always have a mooch around the local golf store. And to be honest there is not that much difference nowadays. Yes there is a bit of a difference on the price on the tag for new clubs, but as others have mentioned once you add in the sales tax it isn't that much. Balls are not much different, even can be cheaper over here with all the constant sales and sites like Golf Depot on the net.
As for the cost of actually playing then of course it is very difficult to compare. But again from my limited experience the cost of joining a club is much more over there. And the cost of playing at an 'average' course seems more over there as well. But appreciate that I mostly use offers on web sites over here but pay the going green fee over there.
Whereas we in the UK have to pay 20% VAT on almost everything. I can remember Mrs T promising not to double this in an election campaign, when it was only 8%. After being elected she kept her word: It only went up to 15%, which was not quite double! Since then it has drifted up to 20%. I note that that nice Mr Osbourne has just doubled insurance tax from 5 to 10% as his latest stealth tax. That will increase all our insurance premiums. Don't you just love politicians!
One Planer
Global Moderator
Whereas we in the UK have to pay 20% VAT on almost everything. I can remember Mrs T promising not to double this in an election campaign, when it was only 8%. After being elected she kept her word: It only went up to 15%, which was not quite double! Since then it has drifted up to 20%. I note that that nice Mr Osbourne has just doubled insurance tax from 5 to 10% as his latest stealth tax. That will increase all our insurance premiums. Don't you just love politicians!
I don't get your point Del.
VAT is included in the sales price over here. Over there it isn't and has to be factored in.
Either way, prices are comparable (Give or take)
The fact of the matter is that, yes clubs are very slightly cheaper aboard due to differing currency strengths, but not massively cheaper.
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
To get back to my original post, why are the latest golf clubs more expensive in the UK than in the US. My friend who regularly visits relations in the States says that you pay about the same in Dollars as you do in Pounds over here, but the Dollar is only about 2/3rd the value of the Pound. Rip-off Britain again?
Your friend is telling you porkies. I've been to the States 6 times in the last 7 years on golf holidays and there are several golf superstores where I go. Clubs may be slightly cheaper but not much. Shelf price of a set of irons over here (£599) will typically be about $799 + tax over there. A dozen Pro V1's is $50 + tax
doublebogey7
Head Pro
Whereas we in the UK have to pay 20% VAT on almost everything. I can remember Mrs T promising not to double this in an election campaign, when it was only 8%. After being elected she kept her word: It only went up to 15%, which was not quite double! Since then it has drifted up to 20%. I note that that nice Mr Osbourne has just doubled insurance tax from 5 to 10% as his latest stealth tax. That will increase all our insurance premiums. Don't you just love politicians!
The UK price includes VAT but the USA does not, making the pre tax price of the items quoted earlier cheaper here then in the USA. RIP off USA!!
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
Don't forget to add tax to that £344!
GB72
Money List Winner
To me the simple fact is that the golf equipment industry has massively shot itself in the foot. The average golfer has for some time become savvy to the fact that there are massive discounts to be had from as little as 3 months after a club is launched. Leave it 12 months are you are looking in the region of half price. Consumers are looking with interest at new releases, not so as they can buy them but because they now know that shops will be trying to clear the shelves of the club released last year.
I really do not know how short lifespans for clubs makes financial sense. Shops must be wise to it and purchase less stock up front to avoid having to sell loads at massive discounts, consumers are wise to it and look for bargains on older stock as they know that performance gains on an annual basis are nominal. Surely there cannot be that many people who must have the latest gear every year. Surely it makes sense to have 2 years cycles giving a full 12 months at least of selling at full price followed by 6-12 months of steady discounting.
I really do not know how short lifespans for clubs makes financial sense. Shops must be wise to it and purchase less stock up front to avoid having to sell loads at massive discounts, consumers are wise to it and look for bargains on older stock as they know that performance gains on an annual basis are nominal. Surely there cannot be that many people who must have the latest gear every year. Surely it makes sense to have 2 years cycles giving a full 12 months at least of selling at full price followed by 6-12 months of steady discounting.
Why do all prices end with £9.99 (not only for golf clubs)? I can't believe that retailers think that consumers are stupid enough to think that one penny is a significant saving on a several hundred pound purchase, particularly if it is rounded up anyway. You don't see this sort of pricing in other European countries! 
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One Planer
Global Moderator
Why do all prices end with £9.99 (not only for golf clubs)? I can't believe that retailers think that consumers are stupid enough to think that one penny is a significant saving on a several hundred pound purchase, particularly if it is rounded up anyway. You don't see this sort of pricing in other European countries!
Ending a price in .99 is based on the theory that, because we read from left to right, the first digit of the price resonates with us the most. That's why shoppers are more likely to buy a product for £4.99 than an identical one for £5. The item that starts with a 4 just seems like a better deal than the one that starts with 5.
Lambchops
Assistant Pro
Why do all prices end with £9.99 (not only for golf clubs)? I can't believe that retailers think that consumers are stupid enough to think that one penny is a significant saving on a several hundred pound purchase, particularly if it is rounded up anyway. You don't see this sort of pricing in other European countries!
yes you do
I haven't particularly noticed that in France, Spain, Portugal or Germany, which are the Eurozone countries I visit most often. Does happen in Ireland though.
One Planer
Global Moderator
Judging by Lambchops post, it happens in the Czech Republic too.
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
I just find £x.99 pricing annoying!
What's annoying about saving 1p (or 1 cent in the eurozone)? I love it!
What's annoying about saving 1p (or 1 cent in the eurozone)? I love it!
It's not a saving at all if the price has been rounded up to that!
