UK iMac Prices?

[T1m0thy]

I'm really interested in switching from my PC to the new iMac. But why is it that prices on the UK Apple website are more expensive than the US one? I thought i read that when one of the products is updated the prices will be updated too with the current exchange rate?

I would like to get the 24 inch, 3.06GHz model, which costs £1,389.00. On the US website the price is $2,199.00, which using http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html comes out as £1,104.58. So why does it cost an extra £285 in the uk?

 

[ukmacmonster]

US prices do not include VAT, so it's a bit misleading

The UK price of the top model is £40 less than the old version. The lower range models are priced exactly as before.

 

[T1m0thy]

Oh i see. That makes sense now. Thanks

 

[brendalana]

Oh i see. That makes sense now. Thanks

Greetings, all...

Altho UK VAT is normally 17.5%... I've a gut feeling that Apple's UK prices are artificially rigged to near enough keep in line with those of our neighboring Irish Republic's whose VAT is normally 21%...

At least something is rotten in the Apple Store and its number pushing department... to wit... having on 2008-02-19 purchased Quick Time 7 Pro (Apple Order No. 7078339833) from Apple's UK online store <http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore.woa/wa/RSLID?s=topSellers&fnode=home/shop_mac/software/apple&nplm=D3380&mco=DD566660> for £20.00, the "Tax (VAT) Rate %" shown on hard copy of invoice No. 90426574665, snail-mailed 2008-02 19, from Apple Sales International, Hollyhill Industrial Estate, Hollyhill, Cork, Ireland is 21%...

While the gross cost £20.00, the £3.47 VAT, and the £16.53 net price are the same... the VAT Rate % shown on the hard copy contradicts <smbstoreuk@euro.apple.com> sent 2008-02-19 11.39.15 GMT - "W85192365 Order Confirmation":
Total: £ 16.53
Discount (Incl. in Total): £ -0.00
VAT @ 17.50%: £ 3.47
Order Total: £ 20.00

And it doesn't take a genius to figure Apple's numbers don't jive, either...

Ciao...

brendalana

 

[Eraserhead]

Oh i see. That makes sense now. Thanks

They also charge extra for the additional cost of translating all the software into every European language .