Icelandic Prices - What a deal!

[sebisworld]

Okay, for all of you who think your local Apple reseller is expensive, check out these prices from Reykjavik, Iceland. I laughed so hard I almost died.


iPod Mini 4GB 424.43 USD -> 120% more than in the US
iPod Mini 6GB 530.91 USD -> 112% more than in the US
PowerBook 12" 2,357.78 USD -> 57% more than in the US
PowerBook 17" 4,106.39 USD -> 52% more than in the US
PowerMac 2.7 4,714.58 USD -> 57% more than in the US
iPod Shuffle 1GB 272.30 USD -> 80% more than in the US
iPod Photo 987.29 USD -> 97% more than in the US
iMac 20" 3,193.87 USD -> 77% more than in the US


On a side note, Macs are extremly popular here.

[MacSA]

I thought everything in Iceland was very expensive compared to the rest of the world. Even food.

[dubbz]

Ouch. I was thinking maybe it was a tax/VAT thing, but it's way more expensive than in Norway, and you VAT isn't as high as 25%, is it?

[Willy S]

These prices are just rediculous! Apple should open a store or change its reseller over there.

[sebisworld]

Yes, everything is pretty expenive here - but not quite as outrageous as Apple's prices. The VAT rate is 24%.

These are the official prices from Apple. There are no resellers here - there is only one small "Apple store".

[FFTT]

I don't know how customs would treat you if you flew to the USA and returned with a PowerBook, but it sounds cheaper.

[yellow]

On a side note, Macs are extremly popular here.

And yet I still cannot convince my wife to move there with me. :(

[pulsewidth947]

there was an article on the news last night about a pint of beer being about £5 in Iceland :eek:

Still I suppose its all relative - do you get paid more?

[jkaz]

$2.99 cent fast food chain 2 cheeseburger combo in america=

$7+ for the same in iceland in june of 01

[apple_g5]

Damn those stupid taxations...

Example Austria: 1€ is about $ 1.30
US Tax is mostly 8.5% - Austrian is 20%

[US] iBook 12": $ 999 + Tax (8.5%) = $ 1083
[AT] iBook 12": 999 € (+ Tax) = $ 1289

Difference: $ 206 -> that's some nice addons or the 14"

Last time I was in San Francisco, I almost bought a 15" Pb... but didn't do it because of customs... That's just sick... for the same price I get a standart Pb (1.5 ghz) I get the 1.67 ghz in the US)

[PS: Hope my calculations are right ;D]

[aloofman]

Every island nation has a higher cost of living because so many goods have to be shipped there. (Ask Hawaiians.) In Iceland's case, they lack large economy of scale too. There are only about 300,000 Icelanders, which is fewer than in the entire cities of Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, or Miami. Shipping anything there will cost far more than if it were shipped to New York or London, so I'm guessing most of that diference is shipping costs and taxes.

[yellow]

It's expensive, but worth it. Icelanders are very nice folks with a culture all their own, and the country is breathtakingly beautiful.

[aloofman]

It's expensive, but worth it. Icelanders are very nice folks with a culture all their own, and the country is breathtakingly beautiful.

No doubt. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I just meant that there are real reasons why Macs would be very expensive there.

[yellow]

I agree with your post. Was just making a general observation to those who might not have been to Iceland and were flabergasted by the prices. :)

[Foniks Munkee]

Whats the comparitive average wage though? I mean, are they REALLY that expensive when you take into account the wage?

[sebisworld]

Icelanders do get paid a lot more than the average American guy. But Apple is still very expensive for them. I should get off the Internet though - I'm on vacaition :-)

[mad jew]

Hot dam! Those prices are colder than... Ah nevermind...

Australia's an island nation too, and the prices here are pretty inflated IMO. Damn transport costs! :mad:

[Chip NoVaMac]

Yes, everything is pretty expenive here - but not quite as outrageous as Apple's prices. The VAT rate is 24%.

These are the official prices from Apple. There are no resellers here - there is only one small "Apple store".


But how do incomes compare?

[zv470]

Blame the shipping cartels and the Mafia which controls the loading/unloading of goods. :p

But really it doesn't matter how much stuff costs. I'm on a very low wage while also studying and still manage to save up for nice Apple stuff.

note: I'm single with no dependants, I walk everywhere (no car) and I also rent. No large mortgage. I also cook, so no... expensive fast food.

:D

[roadapple]

There are only about 300,000 Icelanders, which is fewer than in the entire cities of Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, or Miami.

Pittsburgh (334,000 city-2,300,000 metro), Minneapolis (382,000 city-2,900,000 metro), or Miami (362,000 city-3,800,000 metro)

or Toledo (313,000 city-618,000 metro), Wichita (344,000 city-545,000 metro), Fresno (427,000 city-922,000 metro) or NYC (8,000,000 city-21,000,000 metro) in 2000 (http://www.demographia.com/db-uscity98.htm).

[Chip NoVaMac]

Blame the shipping cartels and the Mafia which controls the loading/unloading of goods. :p

But really it doesn't matter how much stuff costs. I'm on a very low wage while also studying and still manage to save up for nice Apple stuff.

note: I'm single with no dependants, I walk everywhere (no car) and I also rent. No large mortgage. I also cook, so no... expensive fast food.

:D

I know where you are coming from. If the sale of my TH goes through I will be transported back to the 1980's, with much the same stats you have (save the car - mass trans stinks here in the DC area)

In fact I have a new sport. That is coupon clipping and sales at the grocery stores. In fact I paid $23US on groceries that should last me a week. This included about $15US in "club" savings, and $20US in coupon savings (got to love double coupons). My fast food is Subway, where I buy only on special "deals" and get stickers good for a future "free" sub.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Pittsburgh (334,000 city-2,300,000 metro), Minneapolis (382,000 city-2,900,000 metro), or Miami (362,000 city-3,800,000 metro)

or Toledo (313,000 city-618,000 metro), Wichita (344,000 city-545,000 metro), Fresno (427,000 city-922,000 metro) or NYC (8,000,000 city-21,000,000 metro) in 2000 (http://www.demographia.com/db-uscity98.htm).

To be honest, there may be other "tariffs" that drive up their prices on second thought. Why I can not fathom.

[roadapple]

To be honest, there may be other "tariffs" that drive up their prices on second thought. Why I can not fathom.

I thought it was interesting how the mid sized cities mentioned were 8-10x larger markets then Iceland, and how US members would still think it amazing if the small cities I mentioned had an Apple store. But with that logic Apple products should be dirt cheap in China.

I do wonder why the cost are so high ($1000 for an ipod photo :eek: ) The economy seems on par with other western countries, but those prices are crazy, how much for a Civic (http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Civic+Sedan&bhcp=1&BrowserDetected=True) ($13,260 MSRP)

[Chip NoVaMac]

I thought it was interesting how the mid sized cities mentioned were 8-10x larger markets then Iceland, and how US members would still think it amazing if the small cities I mentioned had an Apple store. But with that logic Apple products should be dirt cheap in China.

I do wonder why the cost are so high ($1000 for an ipod photo :eek: ) The economy seems on par with other western countries, but those prices are crazy, how much for a Civic?


There has to be other market forces at play here. Can't believe for a NY minute that Apple would ceed even the small numbers in Iceland.

[enoch]

The only thing that is cheap in Iceland is dried seal and spring water. I've often thought about catching the ferry there from where I live, with two large cases of fresh food to cover my costs when I get there.