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Chain reaction sterling price on GB site v Euro price on Ireland site

124

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,012 ✭✭✭route66


    I currently have a (very) upgraded Felt Z6 that will be 3 years old in January. I have no interest in changing but saw the much more expensive Z3 on sale in wiggle.co.uk and had a look.

    399367.JPG

    The numbers are very interesting.

    In January 2014, I saved 38% on the original list price of just under €1,750 by paying €1,080 for my Z6.

    Today the Z3 is listed at €1,744 - a similar % saving I got on my Z6 from the list price of €2,683 (link)

    If I change my location to the UK, the price is £1299.35 - or €1,437 using XE. Even adjusting for VAT, the price is €1,473.

    Conclusions:
    • Wiggle add 3.9% if you pay in € rather than £
    • VAT Adjusted, the above figure is 1.35%.
    • Wiggle add 16.8 % if you change your address from UK to IE
    • Pay in STG and get delivered to a UK address. The €307.35 (more than 21%) you save will pay for your currency and delivery charges with lots to spare.

    But I'm not buying. Unless somebody wants to offer me over a grand for my own yoke ;)


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,484 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    cython wrote: »
    I've actually noted in the last week that Wiggle have gone to the dogs wrt this lately, e.g. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/garmin-speed-cadence-sensor/ is a full 9 euro cheaper (keeping euro for both destinations, no idea what further impact currency might have) if you put the destination as UK rather than ROI, which is over 16% extra of a "paddy-tax" - no way that differing VAT rates alone accounts for that!

    Are they not under common ownership now? If the merger has gone ahead I'm not surprised they would try to standardise terms

    Only question for me is whether to wait it out, buying a few things in the meantime, then sue them for the price differential:pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,780 ✭✭✭Kaisr Sose


    Weepsie wrote: »

    Don't CRC also have some set up in Ireland, registered in Cork? Could be technically selling through a different company?

    Just don't buy if you're that bothered at the end of the day.

    Agree with the latter. Does not make it right to price discriminate though!

    AFAICR CRC registered a transaction company in Cork in 2011. I am not sure what it does but the Irish corporation tax is sure to have been a significant reason to locate this company here rather than keep it in NI.

    CRC generated 60% of their sales in the EU in 2012. Brexit is a big challenge / headache for them!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,780 ✭✭✭Kaisr Sose


    Beasty wrote: »

    Only question for me is whether to wait it out, buying a few things in the meantime, then sue them for the price differential:pac:

    :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 837 ✭✭✭Robotack


    A particular helmet is currently e229 on CRC. If you change the currency to GBP, it's about 190 pounds. Then, change your location to UK and it's UK£151. Now that's pure messing by CRC. They are literally robbing euro customers.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,246 ✭✭✭Hungrycol


    Robotack wrote: »
    A particular helmet is currently e229 on CRC. If you change the currency to GBP, it's about 190 pounds. Then, change your location to UK and it's UK£151. Now that's pure messing by CRC. They are literally robbing euro customers.

    I remember when motorbiking there wasn't any vat on motorcycle helmets in the UK whereas there is here. Could be the same for bicycle helmets.


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,484 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    Hungrycol wrote: »
    I remember when motorbiking there wasn't any vat on motorcycle helmets in the UK whereas there is here. Could be the same for bicycle helmets.

    It is, but that's for delivery in the UK. CRC are required to apply Irish VAT rules when delivering into Ireland


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,484 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    Just sent them this message
    I note you have recently implemented a discriminatory pricing structure in contravention of EU law. As I am sure you already know you are not permitted to discriminate by reference to residence within the EU. You are clearly charging higher prices to Irish residents. I fully acknowledge you are required to apply the Irish VAT rate but the difference is much higher than that (and to be clear I always pay the GBP price so exchange rates do not come into this. You also cannot claim any justification by reference to delivery costs as you clearly state delivery is free (certainly on my own orders)
    I look forward to a correction of this dual pricing process and refund of the extra you have charged me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,531 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    Beasty wrote: »
    Just sent them this message

    Let's see what they say, a complaint to the relative body should be made.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 501 ✭✭✭rtmie


    Robotack wrote: »
    A particular helmet is currently e229 on CRC. If you change the currency to GBP, it's about 190 pounds. Then, change your location to UK and it's UK 151. Now that's pure messing by CRC. They are literally robbing euro customers.
    No vat on helmets in UK. Safety equipment. Same for all UK retailers. One thing where parcel motel is definitely way to go. Bought one from Evans earlier this year. So in this case can't blame CRC.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 837 ✭✭✭Robotack


    rtmie wrote: »
    No vat on helmets in UK. Safety equipment. Same for all UK retailers. One thing where parcel motel is definitely way to go. Bought one from Evans earlier this year. So in this case can't blame CRC.

    True. Totally forgot about this ..... BUT... 190 pounds is certainly not 229 euro!

    So still a little explaining for CRC to do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,217 ✭✭✭moonshadow


    Are we not shooting ourselves in the foot by highlighting this anonomly in the pricing (by using PM and ordering on a uk "card") , ok a bit of a work around but it works generally , or am I missing something in this argument?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,780 ✭✭✭Kaisr Sose


    You are shooting yourself in the foot by not trying to protect/enforce your EU consumer rights. If you select a UK address - you quite rightly pay uk prices. If that address is Parcel Motel and they forward the goods to you in Ireland, that's between you and PM. Yes, CRC could block PM orders, but then they would be shooting themselves in the foot as you can go to Germany and buy everything they have and not be penalised for being from Ireland. AmazonUK don't penalise you for being from Ireland, so why should CRC be allowed do so?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,217 ✭✭✭moonshadow


    I hear you ..but that's the way it is....if you had a big buy atm what would you do ??
    Act on principle or pocket....


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,484 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    moonshadow wrote: »
    if you had a big buy atm what would you do ??
    Act on principle or pocket....
    Nah! I'll just sue 'em


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,780 ✭✭✭Kaisr Sose


    Beasty wrote: »
    Nah! I'll just sue 'em

    I am going to email them too. Did you get a response ??


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,484 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    Kaisr Sose wrote: »
    I am going to email them too. Did you get a response ??

    Standard one about delivery, promotions etc so far. I've responded and await a further reply.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,844 ✭✭✭cython


    Beasty wrote: »
    Are they not under common ownership now? If the merger has gone ahead I'm not surprised they would try to standardise terms

    Only question for me is whether to wait it out, buying a few things in the meantime, then sue them for the price differential:pac:

    If there were any doubts as to the merger's completion/closing, I think they can be put to bed now with the email I just received about CRC now stocking DHB clothing! Haven't gone so far as to research any pricing yet, mind.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,780 ✭✭✭Kaisr Sose


    I was going to reply to the post about the helmet but it's not here. Anyway, to the poster, helmets are zero rated for vat in the UK. This will explain most of the difference in that example.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 16,051 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    cython wrote: »
    If there were any doubts as to the merger's completion/closing, I think they can be put to bed now with the email I just received about CRC now stocking DHB clothing! Haven't gone so far as to research any pricing yet, mind.

    Am planning on picking up some winter gear myself shortly and have gone with DHB in the past. The cheaper £80 DHB bib tights come in at €107 which should be €93 allowing for current currency rates and VAT difference. Don't see myself using Wiggle/CRC again any time soon, its not even the price so much as the rip off factor.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 110 ✭✭cats pyjamas




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 220 ✭✭kavanagh_h


    Don't forget an posts new service called addresspal. Check it out. I have one of these. They give you an english to get stuff sent to and then send it to your lical nominated post office for small fee. They text you when it arrives and you pixk it up. Usually 3.50 but the price goes up for bigger items. Ive used it three rimes and saved about a tenner each time. Havent used it for anything big yet but check it out


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 14,805 ✭✭✭✭ednwireland


    Used address pal for some ink cartridges £19 shipping to ireland or free to uk mainland. Plus 3.50 address pal fee.

    My weather

    https://www.ecowitt.net/home/share?authorize=96CT1F



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Some supplements can be zero rated in the UK too. Glucose stuff etc. Same goes for amazon. The application can be a bit more random than helmets as its more vague.

    If you buy whey or glucose with a picture of a scrawny baker on the front its zero rated here, if the baker is flexing a large bicep its 23% -seriously.

    In another recent thread a poster got a refund from amazon for powdered food which should have been zero rated.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,449 ✭✭✭joey100


    Looks like wiggle have brought the euro price a lot closer to the sterling price on some of their stuff. A bike I've been following was around 3300 earlier this week, down to 2750 now. Still a little more expensive than the sterling but nothing huge anymore and is probably the delivery fee.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,173 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    This opens a gap in the Irish market for someone who can get distribution right. The reason I've been favouring CRC over Wiggle in recent times is primarily down to the latter's broken delivery system. CRC have consistently shipped stuff earlier and it obviously arrives quicker being in NI.

    Wiggle will accept your order and then leave it sitting in the "processing" state for a week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,407 ✭✭✭cunavalos


    Weepsie wrote: »
    I'd wonder if the likes of CycleSuperStore or SwimCycleRun are monitoring this and looking at how they can fill a void. Sadly they don't have the buying power.

    Is this the gap in the market that Rick Delaney from Aquablue was eyeing up with his 'amazon for bikes' plan to fund the cycling team.

    http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/team-aqua-blue-sport-to-create-amazon-for-bikes-business-to-fund-itself/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 432 ✭✭bren_mc


    joey100 wrote: »
    Looks like wiggle have brought the euro price a lot closer to the sterling price on some of their stuff. A bike I've been following was around 3300 earlier this week, down to 2750 now. Still a little more expensive than the sterling but nothing huge anymore and is probably the delivery fee.

    I've noticed this on both CRC and more recently wiggle. Both the bikes that I referred to earlier in the thread have now had the price for Irish customers reduced dramatically to the point where the difference probably is down to difference in VAT rates.


  • Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,484 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    bren_mc wrote: »
    I've noticed this on both CRC and more recently wiggle. Both the bikes that I referred to earlier in the thread have now had the price for Irish customers reduced dramatically to the point where the difference probably is down to difference in VAT rates.
    The one I'm looking at is down nearly £500 on CRC, and it's definitely just the VAT now - they've been promising me a reply to my e-mails for some time now. Maybe they are still working on an answer to my refund request. Looks like they've properly appreciated the point I was making!!!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 432 ✭✭bren_mc


    Beasty wrote: »
    The one I'm looking at is down nearly £500 on CRC, and it's definitely just the VAT now - they've been promising me a reply to my e-mails for some time now. Maybe they are still working on an answer to my refund request. Looks like they've properly appreciated the point I was making!!!

    So looks like we may have you to thank for the abolition of the "paddy tax" :)

    Might be a need to run an ad campaign asking "did you pay over the odds for a CRC purchase?" - something along the lines of the one for people that were "mis-sold ppi"


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