Slitherine

Ok, I need some help on this one.

I'm interested in the Gladiator miniatures line for my up and coming Swiss army. Black Hat carries Gladiator and has a FoG starter army for 65 pounds. I checked with Scale Creep (US distributor) because I'm in the US, thinking I'd save on shipping. Same FoG starter army is listed as $130!!!

What? Even if you add shipping (20% of total order - another 13 pounds) AND do the money conversion, I'm looking at about $110! I'm not sure what shipping is for Scale Creep, but it's probably not alot. But still, no offense to Scale Creep, but why should I order from them when I can save $20? Granted, I know that Black Hat is back logged at the moment, but I don't mind waiting, I've got a ton of stuff on my project list ahead of the Swiss as it is.

It seems like a big discrepency in pricing. Can anyone cut through it and give me a reason?

Currencies fluctuate.

Currently 1 USD = 0.79 EUR = 0.70 GBP, a year ago it was closer to 0.75 and 0.50. Scale Creep must have some older stock.

UK price includes tax at 15%, or quite possibly 17.5%

I suspect that the wierd world financial situation is the cause.

12 months ago I could buy 15mm WWII tanks from the US and with shipping they still cost about half the price of the exact same model in the UK.

Remember that if you import stuff into the country you are liable for import duty and sales tax. Though both the UK and US have wavers for low value shipments, as long as they are properly declared at custom.

tadamson wrote:Remember that if you import stuff into the country you are liable for import duty and sales tax. Though both the UK and US have wavers for low value shipments, as long as they are properly declared at custom.

Absolutely, I got charged 17.5% VAT plus a charge for the privelidge of paying the VAY I included that in my costs and it was still about half the cost of buying in the UK. Now that the pound is worth bobins I am probably better off trying to buy at a discount from a UK supplier.

Unless its old stock your UK source wil be stocking at higher prices, so a good reason to buy now.

Rattleshirt wrote:Ok, I need some help on this one.

I'm interested in the Gladiator miniatures line for my up and coming Swiss army. Black Hat carries Gladiator and has a FoG starter army for 65 pounds. I checked with Scale Creep (US distributor) because I'm in the US, thinking I'd save on shipping. Same FoG starter army is listed as $130!!!

What? Even if you add shipping (20% of total order - another 13 pounds) AND do the money conversion, I'm looking at about $110! I'm not sure what shipping is for Scale Creep, but it's probably not alot. But still, no offense to Scale Creep, but why should I order from them when I can save $20? Granted, I know that Black Hat is back logged at the moment, but I don't mind waiting, I've got a ton of stuff on my project list ahead of the Swiss as it is.

It seems like a big discrepency in pricing. Can anyone cut through it and give me a reason?

Mark initially set his prices at the then dollar exchange rate which was close to $2 to £1. I have no control over his pricing as he is free as a retailer to set his prices at whatever level he feels he can sell at and make money. Blame the dramatic drop in the pound!

Oh, and I am not VAT registered, so the UK price doesn't include VAT.

thanks

Mike

Black Hat Miniatures

blackhatminis wrote:

Rattleshirt wrote:Ok, I need some help on this one.

I'm interested in the Gladiator miniatures line for my up and coming Swiss army. Black Hat carries Gladiator and has a FoG starter army for 65 pounds. I checked with Scale Creep (US distributor) because I'm in the US, thinking I'd save on shipping. Same FoG starter army is listed as $130!!!

What? Even if you add shipping (20% of total order - another 13 pounds) AND do the money conversion, I'm looking at about $110! I'm not sure what shipping is for Scale Creep, but it's probably not alot. But still, no offense to Scale Creep, but why should I order from them when I can save $20? Granted, I know that Black Hat is back logged at the moment, but I don't mind waiting, I've got a ton of stuff on my project list ahead of the Swiss as it is.

It seems like a big discrepency in pricing. Can anyone cut through it and give me a reason?

Mark initially set his prices at the then dollar exchange rate which was close to $2 to £1. I have no control over his pricing as he is free as a retailer to set his prices at whatever level he feels he can sell at and make money. Blame the dramatic drop in the pound!

Oh, and I am not VAT registered, so the UK price doesn't include VAT.

thanks

Mike

Black Hat Miniatures

Hi Mike, your prices do include VAT, it's just you don't have to calculate the difference between the VAT you pay and the VAT you receive then give it to the government! The kind chancellor lets you keep it as a reveard for being a small business

You could offer VAT free to overseas customers but it's a fairly complicated palaver and ends up coming out of your profit unless you are registered.

Tom..

Yep, you pay VAT on your supplies so the only VAT missing is your added value and no doubt massive profit margin.

I have just had a look at the Essex prices, UK price works out at about $2.50 a pack, US price is $4.18.

Ouch.

Hey fellow yanks out there..........For the next little while Black Tree Designs has a USA location. Because of the declining Pound, BTD has lowered it's suggested retail/list prices....for USA customers.

In addition BTD has a discount club....at no membership charge.

By the by, I am a customer, a happy one....but....NOT an employee.

At the same time, as mentioned special taxes often apply when dealing with overseas locals/countries. Then there is as with some companies a 20% shipping and handling charge above and beyond. the total for the minies/etc.