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PostPosted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 23:32 
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OK - so I got my copy of CW plopping through my letter box on cue! It has a very informative section on WINTER GEAR. Assos Tights. (£116) . Altura Jackets (£80) .. Assos Insutator Gloves (£23) ( Race Jacket (£75) and a Nike Climafit Vest (£35)

Yep.. pricey. During the recent "epic" I ventured into the local department stores in Austria and Germany on to and from journeys. I bought my super trendy Assos (available in more colours) at £80 and my Assos Gloves at £17 - and a range of warm but trendy and VISIBLES for far less than I would pay over here. Same with some overshoes.. I paid less for some Thermo waterproofs than in my local shop a

Wish I knew why we pay top price here. I think the price of gear does put folk off the whole idea of cycling sometimes.. plus the reputation -as in "the trendier the gear - the worse the cyclist" :wink:

Anyway - kitted out in last year's yellow leggings and a bright orange Assos this year.. I think folk just might see me comin'! Who needs bright blue flashin' lights :D

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PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 00:28 
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hmmm well the assos stuff does look nice... but is pricey.

i mostly have unbranded gear from the LBS...... and some aldi nice cheap stuff.
have some loverly pearl izumi shorts & a karrimor jacket (are they no more?)

expensive? well at least its not that rapha kit :)


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PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 01:11 
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It's price fixing by the importers/distributors.
They tell the shop what price to charge, under threat of blocking supply if they drop below.
The shops go along, because they can maintain their margins... but it creates an opportunity if somebody will undercut with a similar product.
The similar product struggles to get established, because the big players spend lots on roadshows promoting their brand, and once it is seen as trendy, then everyone is faced with paying through the nose for that "must have" gear.

Three years ago, I noticed that a Cat-eye lamp I wanted was £32.99 EVERYWHERE in the UK, without exception.
I checked in the States via the internet, and found they were only £19.95 (GBP equivalent)
At first, I found they were reluctant to sell abroad... but eventually found a shop prepared to ship to the UK, so I spent £68 (including carriage), and received £118's worth of product.

We get ripped off with cars, bikes, CD's, Software, specialist clothing and nobody selling worries because they get their cut, and "you the public" are prepared to pay.
The Government tut tuts, but they dont care either, because they get 17.5 % on the excess that you pay. They have their own scam with tax on fuel, alcohol and tobacco!

Of course, if we joined the Euro, it would become a little more transparent when you could go online and see what our European neighbours pay and get paid!
Oh, and don't belive the boll*cks about transport costs being higher to the UK - remember MY package was delivered to my door - not by lorry to the shop, and it STILL cost less!

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PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 01:27 
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Ernest Marsh wrote:
It's price fixing by the importers/distributors.

yep, welcome to rip-off Britain. However if you get to know your LBS then a discount is normally available :wink:

At least Assos charge the same price in all countries and if you think their prices are steep consider what some shop tried to charge me last year for a Therm-ic battery holding velcro strap (for my foot warmers). Price in Germany €1. UK price £15. Needless to say I got a german friend to pick up a few for me.
Had similar stories with many products where I've been able to source them for around half price o/s. The distributors of said products claim they need to charge the ridiculous prices to be able to give warranty service if required and also to ride out currency fluctuations (like there's a lot of those between here and the eu and usa). I say if it happens to break worst case is that I have to buy a new one but even then I'll still be ahead.


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PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:08 
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Nice thing about Assos though .. they last a long time - and keep shape when washed.

But.. we mix and match Aldi/Lidl/bargain shoppe stuff with the more expensive. We went to an "outlet" shop in Switzerland and picked up "Assos factory seconds".. but IG's right - we do find Germany, and even Austria (which used to be expensive for Brits in terms of holidays given higher VAT charges) - actually cheaper than here on many items - including "luxury/comforts"

However, by and large all sports gear is overpriced for what it really is. All that cash for flimsy lycra.. :roll: More or less for the label ... :wink:

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PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 14:50 
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Ernest Marsh wrote:
Three years ago, I noticed that a Cat-eye lamp I wanted was £32.99 EVERYWHERE in the UK, without exception.
I checked in the States via the internet, and found they were only £19.95 (GBP equivalent)
At first, I found they were reluctant to sell abroad... but eventually found a shop prepared to ship to the UK, so I spent £68 (including carriage), and received £118's worth of product.


*checks to see if IG is looking*

i trust that £68 included import tax ernest :wink:
or did the shop kindly label it as a 'gift' ?


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PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 18:45 
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ed_m wrote:
Ernest Marsh wrote:
Three years ago, I noticed that a Cat-eye lamp I wanted was £32.99 EVERYWHERE in the UK, without exception.
I checked in the States via the internet, and found they were only £19.95 (GBP equivalent)
At first, I found they were reluctant to sell abroad... but eventually found a shop prepared to ship to the UK, so I spent £68 (including carriage), and received £118's worth of product.


*checks to see if IG is looking*

i trust that £68 included import tax ernest :wink:
or did the shop kindly label it as a 'gift' ?

At THAT price, of course it was a gift! :wink:

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PostPosted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 19:43 
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I just looked to see if I was liable to pay VAT since the equipment was for travel to and from work... and I found THIS

It seems your employer can loan you a bike without tax penalty, AND claim the VAT back if paid. :)
At the end of the loan period, you can purchase the kit for fair market value.
Kit includes lights, bell/horn, helmet and other safety equipment. :idea:

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PostPosted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 00:42 
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Ernest Marsh wrote:
I just looked to see if I was liable to pay VAT since the equipment was for travel to and from work... and I found THIS

It seems your employer can loan you a bike without tax penalty, AND claim the VAT back if paid. :)
At the end of the loan period, you can purchase the kit for fair market value.
Kit includes lights, bell/horn, helmet and other safety equipment. :idea:



:lol: Tis all part of trying to get us on them bikes.. I think I remebrer reading about it in the business sections of the Sunday papers some time back.. But .. it's a good idea.. I wonder how many know about this though and how many would take it up. :scratcchchin: if offered say in winter v summer... :wink:

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Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

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A Smiley Per post
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Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 09:36 
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In Gear wrote:
Ernest Marsh wrote:
I just looked to see if I was liable to pay VAT since the equipment was for travel to and from work... and I found THIS

It seems your employer can loan you a bike without tax penalty, AND claim the VAT back if paid. :)
At the end of the loan period, you can purchase the kit for fair market value.
Kit includes lights, bell/horn, helmet and other safety equipment. :idea:



:lol: Tis all part of trying to get us on them bikes.. I think I remebrer reading about it in the business sections of the Sunday papers some time back.. But .. it's a good idea.. I wonder how many know about this though and how many would take it up. :scratcchchin: if offered say in winter v summer... :wink:


yeh ok if you can get your employer to sign up & do the paperwork, and are sure you're hanging round for that long!
also they don't have to sell it to you at the end of the period, they might happen to :wink: , but if they agree to do that at the outset it becomes hire-purchase with a whole load of other rules & regs!


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 09:38 
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ah and i think it was import duty i was thinking of...


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 04:46 
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ed_m wrote:
ah and i think it was import duty i was thinking of...

I realised that - anything over £18 is duty payable.
I was looking to see if that included safety equipment - which used to be VAT free too - but it's not clear.
In respect of VAT, it looks like it's only footwear now, and not all protective clothing etc.
Even hard hats are priced including VAT :oops:
When coming from abroad, film cameras are liable toVAT - digital cameras are not.... WTF :shock:
Printed menus - VATable
Printed menu cards (left blank for prices) Non-VATable.

They're bloody mad! :x

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PostPosted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 16:12 
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I have Meindl boots for walking (bought in Leeds) and was looking at prices in Swiss shops in August. As far as I could see that although made in Switzerland they were not noticeably cheaper in their home country. The cost of MTBs in comparison seemed outrageously high in Switzerland!


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 16:34 
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... and my top bit of gear for the week is: my buff, half material half fleecy... hat, windstopper round neck, mask over my mouth & nose or or balaclava style to stop my ears dropping off..... well worth having in the kit bag.


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