j4nu wrote:
Wouldn't that simply make the price in US close(r) to EU price with VAT ...
While I get this was tongue in cheek, let me state that things are a tad more complex than that.
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health and social benefits particularly for those with an income where this matters. Not the worst trade off, methinks. Then a big chunk is due to EU online shopping laws allowing no questions asked returns for any end customer. Which is expensive, but also something you do not necessarily have to pay as a professional (this is what professional shopping accounts are used for). Lastly those tariffs are huge (36% for Thailand), which I believe is a good deal more than the usual difference in price between US and EU.
Anyway, I really don't think the worst effect of tariffs and the coming trade wars is camera prices.
Daran wrote:
While I get this was tongue in cheek, let me state that things are a tad more complex than that.
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health and social benefits particularly for those with an income where this matters. Not the worst trade off, methinks. Then a big chunk is due to EU online shopping laws allowing no questions asked returns for any end customer. Which is expensive, but also something you do not necessarily have to pay as a professional (this is what professional shopping accounts are used for). Lastly those tariffs are huge (36% for Thailand), which I believe is a good deal more than the usual difference in price between US and EU.
Anyway, I really don't think the worst effect of tariffs and the coming trade wars is camera prices....Show more →
Daran wrote:
While I get this was tongue in cheek, let me state that things are a tad more complex than that.
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health and social benefits particularly for those with an income where this matters. Not the worst trade off, methinks. Then a big chunk is due to EU online shopping laws allowing no questions asked returns for any end customer. Which is expensive, but also something you do not necessarily have to pay as a professional (this is what professional shopping accounts are used for). Lastly those tariffs are huge (36% for Thailand), which I believe is a good deal more than the usual difference in price between US and EU.
Anyway, I really don't think the worst effect of tariffs and the coming trade wars is camera prices....Show more →
There are some States which have no sales tax such as Oregon.
magicmaze wrote:
Just ordered one at the "old" price from BH. Here's to hoping that they will honor the order despite what Amazon did (canceling all A1ii pre-orders).
What Amazon did is indeed a little bit strange. I would imagine it's Sony USA that will pay the import duty unless Amazon sources those directly from Japan which will be similar to gray market. And I would think Sony USA is still trying to decide what the situation is (whether it will be reversed/lowered in near term) and how much to hike the price. I don't think any price hike has been decided and communicated to the retailers. Otherwise, we will hear more from different stores. So as far as retailers are concerned, they can still get the camera at the current price until informed otherwise. So there is no point for them to jump the gun at this stage.
DBLA wrote:
Did anyone else see the used A1II on B&H yesterday? It was about $6150.00 USD. It's now gone unsurprisingly.
Yeah, I briefly thought about it but it was a condition 9, only had 90 days B&H warranty, and only ~$400 off. Obviously there's an A1ii premium built in, but would rather wait with those circumstances (especially since there are rumors that the next batch is coming in May).
I'm not sure how VAT is offset in other EU countries but in the UK my understanding is you have to be VAT registered. To get to that point your business needs a turnover in excess of £85,000pa (AFAIK).
VAT is more expensive than most US states' sales tax (I think there are a couple of states where sales tax is at a comparable rate).
re: pricing. US prices were always a little cheaper but over the last 7 or 8 years it's crept up so the $ price is the £ price despite a £ (always) being worth more than a $. Not great but it is what it is.
The tariffs, well they're another rabbit hole. I don't agree with them and think they'll be damaging.
There's a good video by f-stoppers talking about tariffs and who pays what along with reasons why having things made in the US is difficult.
Daran wrote:
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health and social benefits particularly for those with an income where this matters. Not the worst trade off, methinks. Then a big chunk is due to EU online shopping laws allowing no questions asked returns for any end customer. Which is expensive, but also something you do not necessarily have to pay as a professional (this is what professional shopping accounts are used for). Lastly those tariffs are huge (36% for Thailand), which I believe is a good deal more than the usual difference in price between US and EU.
Anyway, I really don't think the worst effect of tariffs and the coming trade wars is camera prices....Show more →
twodees wrote:
I'm not sure how VAT is offset in other EU countries but in the UK my understanding is you have to be VAT registered. To get to that point your business needs a turnover in excess of £85,000pa (AFAIK).
In Germany you have to register yourself in order to write an invoice at all, so mandatory for all professionals. There is an option to avoid the hassle of VAT for very low revenue crafts. But you if you want, you can start collecting VAT deductions from day one of your profession and you'll get that money back even if you end up turning a loss and closing you shop later.
Are you sure this can't be handled similarly in the UK? I was under the impression that opening a small shop is actually easier in the UK. In particular the German version of a "Ltd" is cumbersome to establish.
I'll take a look Daran. I find it all pretty confusing to be honest so I've kept it as simple as possible so I can doi it all myself rather than pay an accountant, thus everything (ie invoices) goes through the business which is classed as sole-trader then additionally I do a little work on the side for a friend which isn't photography-related and for his books I'm classed as self-employed as that works out better for me rather than having taxes deducted at source (ie via his business).
...
just in time