Cyprus-Forum.com

[devil]

That is utter nonsense. It was not in a big EU or US city. It was in a shop close to a city of about 100,000 inhabitants in a non-EU country of 8 million inhabitants (not the biggest country in the world), granted the VAT is lower than the EU at 8%. If they can RETAIL machines at that price, there is nothing to stop individuals from buying them from the retailer, shipping them to Cyprus, even paying the VAT again at 15%, and selling them for much less than the regular retail price.

Economy of scale doesn't play a big role. Importers buy direct from the manufacturers who may (not always) offer 5% extra for buying by the thousand, as opposed to the hundred. VAT is +/- the same everywhere. Transport and import charges are pretty much the same, irrespective of the size of the lot, but as these represent a small percentage of costly items, such as electronics, it is not really significant (less than £1/kg by surface). A fax machine weighs what? 4 kg, so that it would cost, at the most, £4 each to import them into Cyprus by the hundred, while it may be £3 each to do the same by the thousand into Germany, France and the UK.

No, your arguments are too thin. The public on this island are being taken for milch cows.

[Piratis]

Devil, there is a huge difference between 8 million with land borders with some of the biggest countries in Europe, and half million in an island.

I lived in the US for some time, and compared to the US the UK is very expensive also. Why is that?

If you think that you know better then why you don't open a shop here and sell everything cheaper?

By the way, in the US (I don't know the UK) they could sell you the product for cheap, but if you needed any kind of service (e.g. installation) they would charge way more than they charge in Cyprus.

[pcgiannis]

“Devil’s shop, if you find anything cheaper we will refund your money without any questions asked” sounds good. I will definitely be your customer.

Lets get serious now, I agree in the UK labor is very expensive. Yes you can find thinks cheaper but service oh man you better not need it…

[devil]

I don't have a shop, nor intend opening one I'm at an age where it is useless to think of new ventures, but anyone in their 30s or 40s could well do and make a killing. I've imported quite a lot of stuff from Europe where cowboys try to overcharge here. One, a few years ago, was a digital satellite receiver. Several satellite companies, at the time, offered me one at £400 - 500. I picked one (Samsung) up in Europe at £120: the difference paid for my air fare with change left over. AND it was a more sophisticated one that was offered here. I've also ordered several items via the Internet. Just look at www.conrad.com and see some of the prices (which are VAT included). The cost of shipping is a fixed rate €28 to Cyprus, so this is easily amortised with an order of €100 or more. It costs nothing to import their merchandise.

[sk]

actually i have to agree with devil that several things are (especially the ones that have to do with electronics ) are very expensive....

[Piratis]

Devil, I brought many things from the US (computer parts, LCD monitor, other electrical devices, socks etc) and I also ordered several things online. However there is a difference between this, and opening a shop. The second involves several other costs and risks (and profit) that have to be added on the price.

Yes maybe things could be somewhat cheaper, but many (especially hi-tech) things could never be as cheap as in mainland Europe or other big countries.

I have a question though: I now need to buy several products from brands like Pioneer, Panasonic etc. If I buy these products in another country and there is something wrong with them, can I take them to their Cyprus branch to fix them for free (if it falls in the warranty period)

[devil]

I have a question though: I now need to buy several products from brands like Pioneer, Panasonic etc. If I buy these products in another country and there is something wrong with them, can I take them to their Cyprus branch to fix them for free (if it falls in the warranty period)

If you buy them in the EU, the answer is an unequivocal yes: the law is very clear that all guarantees are valid throughout the union. You may have to argue to force the issue, though, but no company has the right to refuse. If the goods are bought outside the EU, it cannot be forced unless the manufacturer specifically offers an international guarantee.