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fred_reutlingen

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 20, 2017
2
0
Reutlingen, Germany
I want to buy a 13" Macbook Pro.
Macbook Pro 13", i5 (3.1Ghz), 16GB, 512GB SSD in Apple US Online Shop: 2199. -$.
Macbook Pro with the same confirmation in the German Online Shop, 2489. - €.
Current exchange rate: Dollar - Euro: 2199.-$ = 1864. -€
The price difference for the same configuration is therefore: 2489. - - 1864. -€ = 625. -€.
Isn't this a rip-off?
 

Phil A.

Moderator emeritus
Apr 2, 2006
5,800
3,100
Shropshire, UK
As mentioned above, prices in the US exclude taxes so you have to add 19.5% VAT to those prices

€1864 + VAT = €2,247

Difference is therefore 2489 - 2247 = €242

Yes, it's still more expensive but you have to bear in mind the fact you're also getting things like the 2 year statutory warranty in Germany and currency fluctuations can make the difference bigger or smaller (Apple don't base their prices on the spot market ;))
 

Trusteft

macrumors 6502a
Nov 5, 2014
857
899
Of course if it was the other way around, the Americans paying so much more for the same machine, there would be a revolution there, but yeah, basically what the others said.
 

TorontoSS

macrumors 65816
Nov 9, 2009
1,075
390
The cost of business is just different between Europe and the States. The States have lower taxes in general, rents are lower etc. It all matters. Does it mean the Americans have it better because their macbooks are cheaper? Well they also pay for healthcare so you decide. As the people above have also pointed out in the US and Canada the tax is not inlcuded in the price - at checkout you'll note it's a higher price.
 

elf69

macrumors 68020
Jun 2, 2016
2,333
489
Cornwall UK
What about shipping and imports fees that apple have to pay.

that too will make European prices higher than state side?
 

elf69

macrumors 68020
Jun 2, 2016
2,333
489
Cornwall UK
depends if direct or not.

china to USA shorted distance than china to Europe. Depending which way around globe you go of course.

if stop in states on way do they pay import like I would if bought and item from states?
 

Strelok

macrumors 65816
Jun 6, 2017
1,471
1,721
United States
Thanks you a lot for feedback!

Apple stuff in Germany and Europe in general is always a bit more expensive. I see more Android based phones being used whenever I visit Germany for that reason. My grandpa also really likes to hate on Apple because they supposedly try to avoid taxes in Germany :p
 
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