American Prices

[MrBaggins]

I guess this has been discussed before (?): Can someone explain to me why american lotr prices are so much cheaper

than the lotr prices here in germany. It only costs like two thirds in Dollar from the Euro Price

[Bilbo Baggins]

I've always asked me that, here in Mexico the sets are twice the price compared to the US, even though the main factory is located here.

[Mr Copperhead]

I don't know, but is VAT already included in the prices in Europe and Mexico? The sales tax isn't included in the US prices so it's actually higher than what you see in most states. That still doesn't explain a doubling of the price, but it may be part of it

[Ash]

I guess this has been discussed before (?): Can someone explain to me why american lotr prices are so much cheaper than the lotr prices here in germany. It only costs like two thirds in Dollar from the Euro Price

It's been discussed many times before. Basically it's the same reason a can of coke is cheaper in America than it is in Germany. Companies price their products to maximise profit in the market they are selling in. You probably buy stuff every day that's cheaper in America or elsewhere, you just don't notice or care about it because you're don't have as much awareness of international pricing as you do with Lego.

[HumanPackMule]

This topic covers most of the issue. Simply put, the American market is more competitive.

[MrBaggins]

I don't know, but is VAT already included in the prices in Europe and Mexico? The sales tax isn't included in the US prices so it's actually higher than what you see in most states. That still doesn't explain a doubling of the price, but it may be part of it

Yes it is included. How high is american VAT?

[SheepEater]

We Canadians also have to pay more than our southern neighbors for toys, gas, electronics, car & car parts, prescription drugs (as much as 300% more on those! There was an article about it in the newspaper)... and hundreds of other things.

We don't have it as bad as Europe though, and nowhere as bad as the poor Australians. Ouch.

Edited July 17, 2012 by SheepEater

[Faefrost]

This thread has a good discussion on the subject, from the Embassy forum.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=59285

remember it's not simply a matter of currency conversion. The price reflects the cost to get the goods to market in the given country. As an example fuel in Germany is almost double what it is in the US. That effectively doubles the distribution and shipping costs. Retail space in Europe is also much more of a premium than in the US. (price per sq foot or meter is much cheaper in the US).

[Jimbobulus]

I don't know, but is VAT already included in the prices in Europe and Mexico? The sales tax isn't included in the US prices so it's actually higher than what you see in most states. That still doesn't explain a doubling of the price, but it may be part of it

I think that's a good point.

How long has the US had the LOTR sets for? And where they initially more expensive than they are now?

[Deathleech]

I think that's a good point.

How long has the US had the LOTR sets for? And where they initially more expensive than they are now?

They first started showing up early May from TRU (heard TRU has some deal where they are able to exclusively put some Lego sets out for 2 weeks before any other retailer.). Prices have pretty much stayed the exact same other than minor deals here and there. TRU was way above MSRP when they wedre first released but now I think they are only a dollar or two over.. most other retailers have stayed at the same MSRP though they originally offered them for.

[Mr Copperhead]

Yes it is included. How high is american VAT?

There isn't a national VAT here, it's done at the state, county and city level. It varies between 0% in some states and I think around 9.5% in Chicago proper. I think it would be almost impossible to include it in the price since there are so many variations.

[Vindicare]

They first started showing up early May from TRU (heard TRU has some deal where they are able to exclusively put some Lego sets out for 2 weeks before any other retailer.). Prices have pretty much stayed the exact same other than minor deals here and there. TRU was way above MSRP when they wedre first released but now I think they are only a dollar or two over.. most other retailers have stayed at the same MSRP though they originally offered them for.

LotR isn't any cheaper at my local TRU than when they first came out. I've never seen or heard of them lowering the price after being released a while. It'd be nice if that were true though, 9474 Helms Deep is still $140...

[tvih]

Can someone explain to me why american lotr prices are so much cheaper

than the lotr prices here in germany.

Not to mention Finland being even more expensive than Germany, with even Uruk-hai army already being 10 euros higher in price...

[Deathleech]

LotR isn't any cheaper at my local TRU than when they first came out. I've never seen or heard of them lowering the price after being released a while. It'd be nice if that were true though, 9474 Helms Deep is still $140...

That's not the case online. Check here:

http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=lord%20of%20the%20rings&origkw=lord+of+the+rings&f=Taxonomy/TRUS/2254197&sr=1

They have all the old "list prices", and then "their price" currently which is nothing more than MSRP. Funny thing being the old list price TRU has was never MSRP or anything, but just their own jacked up TRU price! So basically they offered the product for more than MSRP (as much as 20-30% more in some cases), and now they are offering it for MSRP but trying to make it look like they have them for cheaper.

[Vindicare]

That's interesting... I wonder how'd they would explain the price difference if I brought that to their attention...