Originally Posted by Leinad (Post 1306483)

well, you can't say, prices in Europe are in middle-range or something like that... have you ever travelled from e.g. Slovakia to Iceland or Switzerland?

Originally Posted by switch-hitter (Post 1306479)

I can give you a non-exhaustive list of why things are so expensive in the UK:

Import duties calculated as a percentage of cost of goods + freight.
High transportation costs as a result of exorbitant duties levied on diesel.
Exorbitant business rates charged on commercial premises by local authorities.
Exorbitant Employer's National Insurance calculated on the basis of each of your employee's salary.
Exorbitant Class 1A National Insurance on any 'perks' you provide for your employees.
Exorbitant rate of VAT charged on sales value.
Exorbitant Corporation Tax payable on company profits.

At the end of the day it all boils down to the huge state. Somebody has to pay for the thousands upon thousands of public sector boondogglers with their flexi-time and fancy pension schemes.

Research done in the UK showed public sector workers were paid 30% more than somebody doing a similar job in the private sector, they worked 9 years less and then headed off into retirement with a pension a private sector worker could only dream of.

On top of the plethora of exorbitant taxes required to maintain the lavish lifestyles of the bloated public sector the European private sector has other handicaps imposed that reduce efficiency such as:

Absurd employment law - employing someone seems almost akin to adopting them, it's hard to get rid of them even if they turn out to be a worthless, lazy bludger.

EU beaurocracy - EC Sales Lists, Intrastat, Triangulation, etc... (it's actually easier for me to deal with the Far East or the USA than it is other EU member states).

Originally Posted by switch-hitter

CBI-esque propaganda

Originally Posted by jotoco (Post 1306609)

If you multiply this by 10 fold, you will find Brazil.

EDIT:

Except we don't really have any service back. Health, Education... nothing really works well around here.

Originally Posted by bandora (Post 1306512)

Not necessarily, a company has the freedom to put in any price they like.. As long as there are different solutions for the consumer to choose from, otherwise it would be a monopoly...

Originally Posted by gerbick (Post 1306636)

Originally Posted by Lumiaman (Post 1305725)

Competition is a big factor too. Competition breeds pressure on gov to reduce taxes and tariffs. And businesses rule gov in US, not the other way around. Plus, to sell to large number of,people and move volume, you need it to be relatively cheap.

Originally Posted by maverick788us (Post 1347967)

Most of the computer stuff is manufactured in US thats why it is inexpensive. When it goes out for sale in foreign countries, all those duties, custom is added to the price.

Originally Posted by maverick788us (Post 1347967)

Most of the computer stuff is manufactured in US

Originally Posted by juiceme (Post 1347811)

Why are these stores in US named like "X&Y" ?
How do you tell them apart? :D

Originally Posted by woody14619 (Post 1348106)

Very few are named like that. Most of those mentioned earlier I've not ever heard of, and I live in NY. (Though not NYC.)

The real reason most of the stuff is cheep is the US is a "buyer beware" country. If you buy something and it breaks a day later, the seller, in most cases, has 0 liability or obligation. Some may help you out, to keep a good reputation. But unless you have a written warranty, you have no warranty, at all. If you do get a warranty with something, it often comes with a separate wagon to hull the legal document home, despite being printed in 5 point font. Expect lots of exceptions, limits, and very little actual "coverage".

Cheep tech sounds great, until you have that tech die on you a month in, and find out your "warranty" doesn't cover it or expired 2 days ago. Then that tech just cost you 2x when/if you get another one. Not quite the deal it's being made to be...

Originally Posted by Dave999 (Post 1374626)

Anyone knows when the new note 10.1 will be found in the US retail stores? Price?

Originally Posted by gerbick (Post 1374682)

Wi-fi only, white 16gb internal storage is about $379 USD right now, lesser if on sale or combined with coupons.

Originally Posted by Dave999 (Post 1375122)

Thank you. Unfortunately I wasn't clear. I meant the 2014 version. Wifi
only. Would it be possible to get it before the first of October?

Originally Posted by Dave999 (Post 1375681)

How do you get these coupons for B&M? In the store?

Originally Posted by Dave999 (Post 1376328)

ok. I dont have any coupons but I will pick up some tablet. Too bad note 10.1 or new ipad mini isn't available yet. And Today surface 2 surfuced.

Originally Posted by gerbick (Post 1376333)

Surface 2 won't be out
You're not even in the US are you?

Originally Posted by Lumiaman (Post 1379690)

They are all furloughed thanks to Repugs and their Taleban comrades.

Originally Posted by Dave999 (Post 1380148)

Not sure what you are saying or mena. An explanation Wood be appropriate.

Originally Posted by Dave999 (Post 1380301)

Ok, so it's time for us to act. Increase tax on tech a stat working on the loans. Repungs and obamians must get in more money than what they are spending. Tech is too cheap...