UK - USA price comparison

I don't understand... Why do they cost so much more in the UK?

I spec'd a system for £2500 on the UK site and the exact same system cost $2400 on the US site. Is there a valid reason for this huge price difference? It's exactly £1000 more, or $1600 is you prefer, when you buy from the UK. I've been seriously considering one of these things now I've seen the new R3 but that difference has put a sour taste in my mouth. Perhaps when I get back to the UK the prices will have dropped somewhat... And maybe pigs will fly.

 

hidevolution.com - Alienware M17x R.3 R3 3D Custom Built to Order

Even with overseas shipping, people seem to be saving lots of cash buying from that site. Is there a real reason for Dell to charge that much? They do it because they can. Prices in Canada are ~+$400 for same system as in USA, and CAD is (currently...well Since early January) worth more than USD. Does this matter to Dell? Nope! They do it because their ordering policies are strict enough that they're able to pull it off.

edit
here's the non-3d package site http://www.hidevolution.com/alienware-m17x-r-3-custom-built-to-order.html

 

It would've been £2800 before the recent £300 price drop. Add the taxes on and the shipping before comparing, the US price does NOT include sales tax.
Tax Calc = $2400+580=$2980, add the shipping $100 = $3080 = About £2000. Still overpriced agreed but not as bad as you think!
Theres also the factor that the R3 price is supposed to be due for another reduction when they get rid of the remaining R2's as the executive office told me (they got the first £300 reduction)
Theres a good rep which steve jones recommended me who took my effective base price down to £1200. I would highly recommend you pm steve jones for the rep info if you want to order.

 

Yea, ask stevejones for a dell rep who would take around £600 pound off.


Be aware that shipping from US to UK you will have to pay 20% vat.

However HID will change the price to show it as £500, if you want, which will cut down the custom payment by a lot. But this comes with risk if the custom guys find out. The buyer(you) would be at fault not the seller and that would get you in a lot of trouble.

It's up to you if you think the risk is worth it.


I agree with you the uk prices are crazy...not becuase of the base price(which was thankfully cut down) but the upgrade prices remain and still are over the top.

 

wow, semi off-topic but that site is actually better than Canadian prices, too
Here's a partial, unmodified price quote @Canada (including shipping)

+13% tax ( =$318.73 )
=2770.46

hidevolution: $2,383.00 +tax (only $65 if declared as $500 for customs)...AND that's with +1 year of NBD warranty
=2448

 

Simple reason things cost more VAT..... enjoy your free health care but your alienware costs more

 

This statement actually put a smile on my face on a ty day =)

 

QUOTE=steve1ddd;7313195]Simple reason things cost more VAT..... enjoy your free health care but your alienware costs more [/QUOTE]

Lol, thats a very shrewd point. Hadn't thought of it from that angle! Although I've never had any free healthcare in my life (never been sick, apart from tonsilitis, chicken pox, all that stuff you're prone to as a kid) so really, after paying all that god damn tax... I think the NHS owes me a new laptop. Time to cough up you bunch of biznatches!

Thanks for the responses so far, helped me get my head around the situation! Great link there, and some very insightful points made! I'm with you on the upgrade prices Blaze. It's definately the killer. A CPU costing $350 in the US is breaking the bank at £500 on the UK site. Basically double. And the ram prices... Oh lord above, £900 for 16gb? COME ON!!! They're getting it for a fraction of that!!

Daaaaamn yooouuuuu Dell!!!

Still, I think an M17x would sit nicely next to my M15x so I guess I'll just have to rob a bank/mug a pensioner/sell my body. Or I guess I could just work hard... Never been good at the long game. Better to aim to achieve a lump of money in a short period of time and really go for it as opposed to slowly stack it up over time. Too many financial disasters can occur at the least practical of times.

 

Lol, thats a very shrewd point. Hadn't thought of it from that angle! Although I've never had any free healthcare in my life (never been sick, apart from tonsilitis, chicken pox, all that stuff you're prone to as a kid) so really, after paying all that god damn tax... I think the NHS owes me a new laptop. Time to cough up you bunch of biznatches!

Thanks for the responses so far, helped me get my head around the situation! Great link there, and some very insightful points made! I'm with you on the upgrade prices Blaze. It's definately the killer. A CPU costing $350 in the US is breaking the bank at £500 on the UK site. Basically double. And the ram prices... Oh lord above, £900 for 16gb? COME ON!!! They're getting it for a fraction of that!!

Daaaaamn yooouuuuu Dell!!!

Still, I think an M17x would sit nicely next to my M15x so I guess I'll just have to rob a bank/mug a pensioner/sell my body. Or I guess I could just work hard... Never been good at the long game. Better to aim to achieve a lump of money in a short period of time and really go for it as opposed to slowly stack it up over time. Too many financial disasters can occur at the least practical of times.[/QUOTE]


If i was a hot girl i'd so sell my body to be rich. its not as bad as people make it seem.

 

You can always try import/exporting illegal narcotics

 

If anyone wants my reps details, just PM me....

 

Also, be aware, its not just customs that would hit you if they found out....worst case scenario, if your shipment got lost or damaged - you only get the amount that Hidevolution put on the shipping/customs label - £500!....when you have parted with maybe £2k+ - its an insurance nightmare if you ask me going down this route. I personally STRONGLY disagree with this tactic. It doesnt protect you as a buyer, the only thing it does is increase sales for Hidevolution because you THINK you are getting a good deal. Heck of alot of risk though.

Do hot girls take credit? lol, I could always swipe my credit card between the butt cheeks !