Curse

countesscorpula · Jul 12, 2007, 11:58 PM // 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakatz

EDIT:

today's exchange rate.

The amount one has to spend in the in-game store in order to receive the bonus package:

USD 29 = AUSD 38.26
BPS 17 = AUSD 40.04
Euro 26 = AUSD 41.61

USD 29 = BPS 14.56

Your numbers looked a little odd to me, so I did it myself. Also today.
Edit: Using the "Currency Calculator" http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html

USD 29 = AUSD 33.27
BPS 17 = AUSD 39.93
Euro 26 = AUSD 41.46

USD 29 = 14.29 BPS ( a difference of near 3 pounds = $6)

The smallest difference is approx 6.50, and the larger 8.20.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit: On the off chance that the above site wasn't reliable, I checked out the National Australia Bank:

USD 29 = AUSD 32.27
BPS 17 = AUSD 38.07
Euro 26 = AUSD 38.73

Still a difference in the area of $6. Since dealing with percents, the final dollar amount will have a greater difference for a larger purchase, like GW:EN - the desired purchase behind this promotion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, and some people have been asking about it.
http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Talk:...s_Mission_Pack

Quote:

Originally Posted by elveh

Another thing I am also seriously disappointed about is the pricing. Does ANet use really bad mathematicians, or do you rip off Europe (Great Britain included) on purpose? Let me show what I mean.
The pricing on the site said $29 USD (€26/£17). Working at the airport, I know for a fact that the US dollar hasn't been worth anywhere near that much since 9/11, so I looked it up and did the math (today's exchange rate used).
$29 USD = €19,83 / £12,58 (i.e. 1,46 USD = 1 EUR, 2,31 USD = 1 GBP)
As you can see, that's not what the site says by a long shot. Using the figures above, let's see what Europeans actually are made to pay...
€26 = $38,02 USD
£17 = $39,19 USD
So we pay a whooping $10 USD more than Americans do. Why?
Before anyone asks- I know the games themselves have cost more in Europe as well. I have absolutely no issues paying for a game, and I know that shipping to Europe costs a bit more than shipping throughout the States- thus explaining why Europeans pay a bit more for their boxed content. It's a great game, so I can live with that.
When it comes to online content, though, I can't

Gaile recognized concern with the pricing, and said she would bring it to the attention of marketing. She also referred them to the forums. I feel the more people aware of this imbalance (using currency values that date back to 2003), the more inclined the Marketing departments will be to revisit and update their pricing - maybe even use an exchange rate from some time in the current calendar year.

Onarik Amrak · Jul 13, 2007, 12:09 AM // 00:09

Here's a small collection of data. GW:EN prices around the world.

US Online Price - $39.99 US
US Store Price - $39.99 US
UK Online Price - 24.99 GBP
UK Store Price - 24.99 GBP

Now for Australians:

AU Store Price - $49.95 (EB Exclusive, No one else has it in retail)
AU Online Price - 24.99 GBP = ~AU$58.50 + fees

WTF?

countesscorpula · Jul 13, 2007, 12:27 AM // 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onarik Amrak

Here's a small collection of data. GW:EN prices around the world.

US Online Price - $39.99 US
US Store Price - $39.99 US
UK Online Price - 24.99 GBP
UK Store Price - 24.99 GBP

Now for Australians:

AU Store Price - $49.95 (EB Exclusive, No one else has it in retail)
AU Online Price - 24.99 GBP = ~AU$58.50 + fees

WTF?

Must have something to do with the MASSIVE expenses incurred by sending an access key to your email inbox. Clearly far more costly than sending a box over the ocean to the other side of the planet.

Angelica · Jul 13, 2007, 12:29 AM // 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyra_song

When i buy stuff from Japan, i have to buy in yen. When i buy stuff from india, its in rupees.

Whats the problem?

Correct me if I'm wrong but the "Online Store" is it not in the USA?

If not where is it located?

lakatz · Jul 13, 2007, 12:35 AM // 00:35

Hi CC...

Okay. I'm not going to quote your post since it's lengthy. I'll just point up. Interesting stuff and good points. I now understand your history with PlayNC much better. And I don't believe you should accept that last response from the support team at all. I suspect it was one of their formula answers and wasn't appropriate to your situation at all.

Seems like all you have to do is point out to the support folks (probably more than once before they finally get it) that your master account is paid in USD and you want the US in-game store window as well. It can be so frustrating trying to get a real answer from them, but it seems like if you present them with the facts and refuse to accept their inappropriate formula answer, you'll get the fix you need.

Last question... how do you know what the in-game store and online store are going to charge if the product isn't there yet? It's not in the US store anyway. Would you mind posting the url(s) for this information for me?

Thanks!

EDIT:

I used the currency converter at concierge.com and just now re-entered my figures thinking I might have made a typo, but it returned the same answer. hmmmm. The bank converters are probably more accurate.

countesscorpula · Jul 13, 2007, 12:54 AM // 00:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakatz

Last question... how do you know what the in-game store and online store are going to charge if the product isn't there yet? It's not in the US store anyway. Would you mind posting the url(s) for this information for me?

Thanks!

The ingame and online store will be charging the same price as issued in the press releases. Gaile stated this elsewhere. It was the source for many people arguing that if they aren't getting the box, the price should be lower.

THe European Press Release (English):
http://eu.guildwars.com/press/article/gwen_pr/
Lists price at L24.99/E34.99 (sorry, i don't have keys for Euros and Pounds)

North American Press Release (English):
http://www.guildwars.com/press/relea...2007-07-02.php
Lists price at $39.99 and E34.99.

Gaile has stated on Guru and GWOnline that these are the prices that will appear in the online store. If we were to raise this problem *after* the prices appeared, it would be far more difficult to have the problem remedied for any who make the purchase upon release. This is why I feel it is important to raise these issues *before* they are actually released in the online store. An ounce of prevention, as it were...

Loviatar · Jul 13, 2007, 01:22 AM // 01:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by countesscorpula

The ingame and online store will be charging the same price as issued in the press releases. Gaile stated this elsewhere. It was the source for many people arguing that if they aren't getting the box, the price should be lower.

THe European Press Release (English):
http://eu.guildwars.com/press/article/gwen_pr/
Lists price at L24.99/E34.99 (sorry, i don't have keys for Euros and Pounds)

North American Press Release (English):
http://www.guildwars.com/press/relea...2007-07-02.php
Lists price at $39.99 and E34.99.

Gaile has stated on Guru and GWOnline that these are the prices that will appear in the online store. If we were to raise this problem *after* the prices appeared, it would be far more difficult to have the problem remedied for any who make the purchase upon release. This is why I feel it is important to raise these issues *before* they are actually released in the online store. An ounce of prevention, as it were...

i will give you an actual polite, accurate, and officially confirmed reason for the instore prices and why they will not be changed.

NCsoft is the owner/producer of GW and has set a MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price)

the NCsoft store like any other manufacturer will only sell at MSRP if they sell to the public at all.

the retailer can sell at/above/below the MSRP as demand for the product allows.

most of the time it is below MSRP to pull customers from competing stores by a lower price.

if the manufacturer sold below MSRP they force the retailer to meet/beat that lowered price cutting a thin profit margin thinner.

the online store would in effect be undercutting retailers litterally worldwide and force many stores to take a loss or not carry it which would reduce market retail exposure of the product.

i will buy GWEN in the online store as my account was locked in from the first slot i bought.

Gamestop has a package deal of preorder/GWEN for MSRP same price as the oline store.

my savings on shipping/handling/taxes will be 10 dollars US and pocket change.

i think that is a very nice saving and would do it even without the bonus missions.

hat is why they will not discount the MSRP at the NCsoft store

lakatz · Jul 13, 2007, 01:30 AM // 01:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by countesscorpula

The ingame and online store will be charging the same price as issued in the press releases. Gaile stated this elsewhere. It was the source for many people arguing that if they aren't getting the box, the price should be lower.

THe European Press Release (English):
http://eu.guildwars.com/press/article/gwen_pr/
Lists price at L24.99/E34.99 (sorry, i don't have keys for Euros and Pounds)

North American Press Release (English):
http://www.guildwars.com/press/relea...2007-07-02.php
Lists price at $39.99 and E34.99.

Gaile has stated on Guru and GWOnline that these are the prices that will appear in the online store. If we were to raise this problem *after* the prices appeared, it would be far more difficult to have the problem remedied for any who make the purchase upon release. This is why I feel it is important to raise these issues *before* they are actually released in the online store. An ounce of prevention, as it were...

Yeah the UK prices are out of kilter with the exchange rates since there's no shipping costs involved. Not the best marketing plan to piss off half (or more) of your user base either. Good to hear Gaile is addressing the issue with the marketing/sales team.

When I was doing all the research on the PlayNC site, I read that prices are subject to change with 30 days notice. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Now I wait to hear a report of your progress with the account support team.

PS... I just read Loviatar's response which makes a lot of sense. Yikes... it's the proverbial rock and hard place. Don't want to piss off your distributors either. I guess now we'll have to wait and see now.

Yaga Philipe · Jul 13, 2007, 02:20 AM // 02:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakatz

I understand. And I believe I understand their policy as well... being in an administrative position and having to generate reports involving money. Changing currency is a really big deal. Unless they can program a feature into their system (the one that can't even get the encryption correct) that will automatically update all the steps in their billing process (and I don't believe they can without incurring huge expense), it would all have to be done manually... for several million users (remember they service several games). Needless to say, that's fiscally impossible.

Regarding the current exchange rate... the pendulum swings both ways and will eventually swing back in your direction. Patience. Eat it now and have your cake later.

That's why I hate when bigger companies take over games. NCsoft should back off and let Anet run things. It's ANET's game and after NCSoft sorta took over, the online store/support/email and password change got really confusing.

Loviatar · Jul 13, 2007, 03:25 AM // 03:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaga Philipe

That's why I hate when bigger companies take over games. NCsoft should back off and let Anet run things. It's ANET's game and after NCSoft sorta took over, the online store/support/email and password change got really confusing.

NCsoft did not *sort of took over* they were the owners of Anet many years before GW was even released

Anet is the game maker NCsoft is the owner/publisher which supplies all the equipment/servers that Anet as a start up company could not have afforded

they did not take over GW as Anet is making it not NCsoft

sheeshhhh

countesscorpula · Jul 13, 2007, 04:09 AM // 04:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

NCsoft is the owner/producer of GW and has set a MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price)

the NCsoft store like any other manufacturer will only sell at MSRP if they sell to the public at all.

Then perhaps NCsoft should re-examine the MSRP before it hits the shelves, while there is still time. Clearly this global product is not priced in a balanced fashion in the global market.

Fr_3_aK · Jul 13, 2007, 04:32 AM // 04:32

Where is the proof that EOTN will be $25 i english pounds? If you consider it's US$40 and Euro$35 it should be $20 in english pounds...

Onarik Amrak · Jul 13, 2007, 05:10 AM // 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_3_aK

Where is the proof that EOTN will be $25 i english pounds? If you consider it's US$40 and Euro$35 it should be $20 in english pounds...

It should be 20 pounds... but it's not. It's 25.

http://eu.guildwars.com/press/article/gwen_pr/

There's the proof. I guess shipping a few megabytes and sending an e-mail costs a whole lot more than shipping a box with paper manuals and a CD halfway around the world like CC said.

Kashrlyyk · Jul 13, 2007, 05:34 AM // 05:34

The european prices were calculated using the VAT, which is near 19%.
In America they only use sale taxes, which are around 7%.

So the question is: What taxes has ANet to pay, when you purchase from the online shop?
I am pretty sure that a purchase in an online shop, stationed in America is treated like a purchase in a brick-and-mortar shop in America, which would mean they pay 7% taxes on goods, that were priced with 19% on the mind.
Does anyone have any clues about that?

freekedoutfish · Jul 13, 2007, 08:31 AM // 08:31

If you dont like using the Anet online store, and you find it hard to purchase GW games from local stores, then I suggest you use playusa.com or play.com.

They take a bit longer to get the games into stock after release, but they are always cheaper then the Anet store and they have excellent service and delivery times.

Also free delivery.

You always have alternative choices to using the Anet online store.

Meat Axe · Jul 13, 2007, 09:31 AM // 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by freekedoutfish

If you dont like using the Anet online store, and you find it hard to purchase GW games from local stores, then I suggest you use playusa.com or play.com.

They take a bit longer to get the games into stock after release, but they are always cheaper then the Anet store and they have excellent service and delivery times.

Also free delivery.

You always have alternative choices to using the Anet online store.

I can't really speak for anyone else, but with the mission bonus pack promotion, which may or may not be an exclusive bonus for the period that it is offered now (it could be offered later for a fee, but no one apart from Anet really know whether they will offer this pack in any other way), it really offers incentive to use the online store to buy GWEN. I have no problem with the store itself. Sure, it has some problems with security, or the lack of, but I'm not really worried about that. However I am worried that if I want to take advantage of the same promotional offer as everyone else, I have to pay more for the expansion. I'm a uni student, and I work two four hour shifts a week. So I don't really want to spend more money than I have to to get the expansion, a prerelease bonus pack, and preferably a bonus mission pack as well.

I just don't understand why the Australian and European players have to pay significantly more for exactly the same product as US players are going to get for (I feel) a reasonable amount.

Lonesamurai · Jul 13, 2007, 10:11 AM // 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by countesscorpula

Then perhaps NCsoft should re-examine the MSRP before it hits the shelves, while there is still time. Clearly this global product is not priced in a balanced fashion in the global market.

thats all well and good, but that "Global market" as you put it, doesn't exist... each country they sell the product in has different taxes and inflation rates and this is why there is a difference in price between countries...

This has been happening for the last few years in the music and DvD online sales market with companies like CD-Wow now being taken to court and fined the cost of the taxes into the country they are importing (UK) for selling non UK products into the country and bypassing the price hikes that selling in the UK cause

Alex Morningstar · Jul 13, 2007, 10:15 AM // 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kashrlyyk

The european prices were calculated using the VAT, which is near 19%.
In America they only use sale taxes, which are around 7%.

So the question is: What taxes has ANet to pay, when you purchase from the online shop?
I am pretty sure that a purchase in an online shop, stationed in America is treated like a purchase in a brick-and-mortar shop in America, which would mean they pay 7% taxes on goods, that were priced with 19% on the mind.
Does anyone have any clues about that?

As far as I'm aware, online purchasing depends on taxes where the customer lives. I live in Oregon, therefore no sales tax. But when I buy stuff online and if I hit Ohio or Oklahoma on the way to Oregon, sales taxes pop up.

I may be wrong, but tha'ts my guess.

freekedoutfish · Jul 13, 2007, 11:28 AM // 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meat Axe

I can't really speak for anyone else, but with the mission bonus pack promotion, which may or may not be an exclusive bonus for the period that it is offered now (it could be offered later for a fee, but no one apart from Anet really know whether they will offer this pack in any other way), it really offers incentive to use the online store to buy GWEN. I have no problem with the store itself. Sure, it has some problems with security, or the lack of, but I'm not really worried about that. However I am worried that if I want to take advantage of the same promotional offer as everyone else, I have to pay more for the expansion. I'm a uni student, and I work two four hour shifts a week. So I don't really want to spend more money than I have to to get the expansion, a prerelease bonus pack, and preferably a bonus mission pack as well.

I just don't understand why the Australian and European players have to pay significantly more for exactly the same product as US players are going to get for (I feel) a reasonable amount.

Personally I will never get the Mission Bonus Pack because I refuse to pay RRP on the online store for GW:EN, when I can get it from play.com or game for around £17.99.

Chances are that GW:EN will cost around £29.99 on their online store and thats too much for me, even for a game I love.

Unlee Anet make the MBP available with GW:EN in stores or as a stand alone product at a cheap price, im not touching it.

pamelf · Jul 13, 2007, 02:20 PM // 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onarik Amrak

Here's a small collection of data. GW:EN prices around the world.

US Online Price - $39.99 US
US Store Price - $39.99 US
UK Online Price - 24.99 GBP
UK Store Price - 24.99 GBP

Now for Australians:

AU Store Price - $49.95 (EB Exclusive, No one else has it in retail)
AU Online Price - 24.99 GBP = ~AU$58.50 + fees

WTF?

QFT.

This whole forced pound purchase is pissing me off royally.