Does Apple want to rip off customers in Europe?

[fred_reutlingen]

I want to buy a 13" Macbook Pro.
Macbook Pro 13", i5 (3.1Ghz), 16GB, 512GB SSD in Apple US Online Shop: 2199. -$.
Macbook Pro with the same confirmation in the German Online Shop, 2489. - €.
Current exchange rate: Dollar - Euro: 2199.-$ = 1864. -€
The price difference for the same configuration is therefore: 2489. - - 1864. -€ = 625. -€.
Isn't this a rip-off?

 

[yasineris]

No because on the US site it’s without taxes and the German one with taxes.

 

[Phil A.]

As mentioned above, prices in the US exclude taxes so you have to add 19.5% VAT to those prices

€1864 + VAT = €2,247

Difference is therefore 2489 - 2247 = €242

Yes, it's still more expensive but you have to bear in mind the fact you're also getting things like the 2 year statutory warranty in Germany and currency fluctuations can make the difference bigger or smaller (Apple don't base their prices on the spot market )

 

[Trusteft]

Of course if it was the other way around, the Americans paying so much more for the same machine, there would be a revolution there, but yeah, basically what the others said.

 

[TorontoSS]

The cost of business is just different between Europe and the States. The States have lower taxes in general, rents are lower etc. It all matters. Does it mean the Americans have it better because their macbooks are cheaper? Well they also pay for healthcare so you decide. As the people above have also pointed out in the US and Canada the tax is not inlcuded in the price - at checkout you'll note it's a higher price.

 

[elf69]

What about shipping and imports fees that apple have to pay.

that too will make European prices higher than state side?

 

[Samuelsan2001]

What about shipping and imports fees that apple have to pay.

that too will make European prices higher than state side?

Well they all come from China so that makes little difference....

 

[elf69]

depends if direct or not.

china to USA shorted distance than china to Europe. Depending which way around globe you go of course.

if stop in states on way do they pay import like I would if bought and item from states?

 

[jmoore5196]

Well they also pay for healthcare so you decide.

Are you assuming that because VAT is an indirect tax, you don't pay for healthcare?

 

[fred_reutlingen]

Thanks you a lot for feedback!

 

[Strelok]

Thanks you a lot for feedback!

Apple stuff in Germany and Europe in general is always a bit more expensive. I see more Android based phones being used whenever I visit Germany for that reason. My grandpa also really likes to hate on Apple because they supposedly try to avoid taxes in Germany