Curse

captain_carter · Aug 14, 2007, 03:04 PM // 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue I Sidel

That is some seriously twisted logic, I am sure you would be over the moon if you went to your grocery store to buy the weeks shopping and you had to pay more for your basket just because your wage was a little higher than lazy trailer trash in front of you who was on benefit

My bad, send me your name and address and I'll post you any spare change I have, I really didn't think the US was so poor

Well I think it's an acceptable argument and I think your counter-argument misses the point. Of course I would be angry if someone who has just as much chance to earn the minimum wage I earn is charged a different price, but when they are in a different country and the government tells companies that they don't have to pay them as much, I wouldn't have the same problem. I can't expect people to spend a much larger percentage of their income because their government has a different system nor can I expect them to emigrate.

I also think it's worth pointing out that I live in the UK, that I was born in the UK and have always lived in the UK, and that I do not feel scammed.

Ill also add this from an Abstract of a paper an economist wrote(http://ideas.repec.org/p/nbr/nberwo/13239.html#author):
"A substantial part of international differences in prices of individual products, both goods and services, can be explained by differences in per capita income, wage compression, or low wage dispersion among low-wage workers, and short-term exchange rate fluctuations."

which to me says my reasoning is one of the main reasons for this difference.

If I have not read deep enough into your statement, and you actually wanted to point out that it is a stupid idea for people to have equal opportunities, then there really isn't any need for me to apologise.

Darksun · Aug 14, 2007, 03:06 PM // 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawnmist

Nor does the 'taxes' argument apply - we certainly don't pay English taxes.

No, you pay taxes to YOUR government. You really think that when you buy something overseas that your government doesn't try to get tax money from you for that purchase? That would be pretty stupid on their part.

qazwersder · Aug 14, 2007, 03:17 PM // 15:17

Its only a £1 difference its not going to break the bank. And everything is more expensive in the UK, its just how it works.

Voltar · Aug 14, 2007, 04:03 PM // 16:03

We more than make up for it in our bi-monthly health insurance copays over here. I pay something like $20-something every paycheck for health insurance that gives me something lame like a $50 office visit deductable.

Plus you guys have, "Questions to the PM," which is way more fun to watch than the US Congress being lame and non-productive. I only wish I'd discovered it when Blair was PM. I bet he was hilarious to watch. Brown just makes me feel good when he doesn't stutter.

Here for the People · Aug 14, 2007, 05:37 PM // 17:37

Hey Sue I Sidle.... Here is the best answer for your question (YOU ARE NOT A UNITED STATES RESIDENT THATS WHY THEY ARE CHARGING MORE, GW is smart they know americans will tear their headquarters down if they charged us more than someone from the UK or EU the thing that gets me is your Bitchin about the cost for the preorder but every bonus mini pet and free giveaway has happened out of america example: Japan Coffie shop givaways
so you should be thankful if you look at the big picture you are payin less for the bonus weekend due to the give-a-ways and outa United States contests so next time you cry about the price of the game think of this (GUILD WARS COULD HAVE SAID F THE WORLD AMERICAN GAME ONLY BUT THEY DID NOT)

Mordakai · Aug 14, 2007, 07:26 PM // 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Here for the People

(GUILD WARS COULD HAVE SAID F THE WORLD AMERICAN GAME ONLY BUT THEY DID NOT)

Uh, well, that was a smart decision. I mean, you want to make as much money as possible. I don't have access to Anet's financial info, but I would not be surprised if South Korea was not responsible for a substantial amount of the 4 million copies sold.

Obviously, the price point in the UK has not hurt Anet, or they would lower it.

captain_carter · Aug 14, 2007, 07:35 PM // 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Here for the People

Hey Sue I Sidle.... Here is the best answer for your question (YOU ARE NOT A UNITED STATES RESIDENT THATS WHY THEY ARE CHARGING MORE, GW is smart they know americans will tear their headquarters down if they charged us more than someone from the UK or EU the thing that gets me is your Bitchin about the cost for the preorder but every bonus mini pet and free giveaway has happened out of america example: Japan Coffie shop givaways
so you should be thankful if you look at the big picture you are payin less for the bonus weekend due to the give-a-ways and outa United States contests so next time you cry about the price of the game think of this (GUILD WARS COULD HAVE SAID F THE WORLD AMERICAN GAME ONLY BUT THEY DID NOT)

erm, lol

Those net-cafe giveaways have been mostly in asia, I have heard of none in the UK.
When there have been contests in Europe, im almost certain there were similar contests in the US at the same time.
I'd actually say the US gets more than the UK with E3 and PAX etc.
Normally give-aways are where you get something free, not something you would later have to pay for when buying something else, that point is nonsense.

Yes and what a wonderful game it would be if it was US only, I'm sure A-net/NCsoft would prefer not to have all that money from the millions of gamers not resident in the USA.

And the idea of a game itself turning round to the other continents and saying anything, even if it is something which is economically stupid, is quite a scary one.

My Sweet Revenga · Aug 14, 2007, 08:22 PM // 20:22

If prices were the same everywhere, we could go with a single universal currency. Unfortunately that's not how it is in real life. Can't say I'm all that surprised.

Mordakai · Aug 14, 2007, 08:45 PM // 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by My Sweet Revenga

If prices were the same everywhere, we could go with a single universal currency. Unfortunately that's not how it is in real life. Can't say I'm all that surprised.

I nominate Ectos as official currancy of the world (gold is too unstable)

Zorgy · Aug 15, 2007, 12:23 AM // 00:23

No you are wrong and late !!!!!!!!!!!

ARMBRACE of TRUTH has been officialy nominated worldwide currency

dawnmist · Aug 15, 2007, 01:35 AM // 01:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darksun

No, you pay taxes to YOUR government. You really think that when you buy something overseas that your government doesn't try to get tax money from you for that purchase? That would be pretty stupid on their part.

So why charge us in Pounds? NONE of the options are Australian currency - and NONE of the options reflect Australian tax rates (flat 10%). The price difference between US$ and Pounds is more like 25% - that's NOT tax, and has absolutely nothing to do with tax - and since the US price would also have included tax, that makes no sense.

Further, for overseas purchases the Government charges us direct, and only if the total tax + duty would be more than $50 Australian. At 10%, that'd be a purchase of somewhere around US$450. They ignore purchases lower than that, because the cost of doing the paperwork is more than they would actually get back.

We have to pay (the bank/CC company) to convert local currency to these foreign currencies, and then ArenaNet have to pay again to re-convert the currency to US$.

There is no reason I can see for why Australia (and NewZealand) are charged Brittish prices when none of the options reflect anything to do with local currency or economic conditions. We earn significantly less than those in England - are more comparable to the US, and yet given 3 options for pricing ANet have chosen the highest possible price.

Why? No reason for it other than that they can make more profit from doing so.

Not going to stop me from purchasing the game - I love GW, and think it deserves supporting - but I'm also not happy about the fact that we're paying an artificially increased price for no reason. All the economic arguments for England vs US cost of living are meaningless for Australia, all currency options are foreign currencies, so why not charge us directly in the currency that ANet actually use - so that currencies are only converted once?

Javeron · Aug 15, 2007, 02:05 AM // 02:05

Where do you report a whine when Member is doing the whining?

(Sorry, just had to. *Disappears again*)

AngeloM3 · Aug 15, 2007, 02:17 AM // 02:17

Wish I had power of the mods to close this damn thread....

Why do people feel the need to make threads about stuff that already has 2 or 3 threads on it.

Vlatro · Aug 15, 2007, 03:54 AM // 03:54

It all boils down to basic economics. There are taxes involved when importing and exporting anything into Europe. Then consider the VAT (Value Added Tax) which clearly applies to this. Americans don't have that tax. AreaNet could conceivably lower their profit margins on sales to that area (as many developers do in areas like China and Korea), however it would only result in Americans complaining that AreaNet is willing to take less money form Europeans than Americans, so it would still be unfair. Equalizing the price solves nothing from a PR perspective.

Now lets consider hypothetically:

AreaNet lowers their price to European vendors, to cushion the blow imposed by the taxes. Many people (especially in the UK, France and Germany) enjoy varying levels of tax exemption that would enable them to buy access keys in bulk at prices lower than it would cost everyone else. They would simply undercut the actual prices here in the US and drive the value down. After all, customs agents can't check imports you receive via e-mail.

The only viable solution at that point would be to offer different access codes to various parts of the world. Your location would have to then be authenticated, (easily spoofed), and that leaves them wide open for lawsuits. It's a no win situation. You'll find the same problems with any "entertainment commodities" imported to most of the EU.

So to the Germans I say:
"You started WWII and lost. Suck it up, you've cost us Americans billions, now pay some back to our game devs".

To the French I say:
"You live in a socialist country where the government provides services unheard of in the US. That costs money, TAX MONEY. pay it and shut up, you socialist douche-bags".

And to the English:
"You guys have always over taxed everything, that's why we revolted and formed this country. We know how much it sucks, but until you're willing to take up arms against your government... wait, why haven't you already?"

Oh yeah, Australians:
"Sorry, you guys are cool but you're a smaller market and often ignored. Victims of capitalism. But if it makes you feel any better, you're country makes some awesome wines and beers, and you get us back with those taxes. US$3.00 minimum for most of your beers! Each! I don't know how much you guys pay, but damn... you only have to buy the game once. I have to buy 8-10 beers every Friday. Who's the profiteering, opportunistic country now?!"

AreaNet is making exactly the same amount of profit on each copy. The fact that some people pay more in different countries is the fault of the country they live in. So now you have to make a decision: is what you're buying worth the money people are asking for it? If "Yes", then buy it. If "No" then don't. Its the same dilemma facing every consumer ever, since the beginning of time.

As mentioned above, there are many other sources for the game who offer it at a lower price. You have to spend more to get it through AreaNet's online shop because their tax liability is higher being based outside of Europe. You can always buy it cheaper somewhere else. If the price difference is still to much for you, remember you'll get the bonus mission pack for buying through the in-game store. You pay more, and you get more for your money.

ockwell · Aug 15, 2007, 05:03 AM // 05:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngeloM3

Wish I had power of the mods to close this damn thread....

Why do people feel the need to make threads about stuff that already has 2 or 3 threads on it.

Agree.

OP, report to blizzard

X Ice Man X · Aug 15, 2007, 05:05 PM // 17:05

We always have and proberly will always get charged more over in the UK for everywhere else?

I don't know why this shocks anybody any more. It's the way things are.

However if you don't want to pay more for the game, then buy your self a plane ticket, fly to the US, buy the game there and then fly back.

You'll get the game cheaper but something tells me you might be slightly more out of pocket than just buying the game from a stop in the UK.

It's the way of the world, no amount of crying, bitching, yelling, shouting will change it. We just have to accept it.

X Ice Man X · Aug 15, 2007, 05:15 PM // 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlatro

AreaNet is making exactly the same amount of profit on each copy.

You are amazingly stupid

VAT 17.5% in the UK

Costs

US $4.99
EU $6.80
UK $7.02

So lets do the maths

17.5% of $4.99 is $0.87325

$4.99 + 0.87325 = $5.86 or $5.87

Hmmm does anybody else notice the difference between $7.02 and $5.87?

Could that possibly be more profit for ANet? I think it is... They charge more not because they have no choice, but because they can, because everybody charges more over here. End of

Tijger · Aug 15, 2007, 09:04 PM // 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mordakai

Uh, well, that was a smart decision. I mean, you want to make as much money as possible. I don't have access to Anet's financial info, but I would not be surprised if South Korea was not responsible for a substantial amount of the 4 million copies sold.

Obviously, the price point in the UK has not hurt Anet, or they would lower it.

Korea? I think you're look at the wrong continent. See how many German districts there were during the Dragon Festival? They far outnumbered the Common and the French districts easily equaled the Common numbers.

GW has long ceased to be an American game, the old favor system exemplified the difference in numbers between the US and the EU.

Tijger · Aug 15, 2007, 09:07 PM // 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by X Ice Man X

Could that possibly be more profit for ANet? I think it is... They charge more not because they have no choice, but because they can, because everybody charges more over here. End of

You're forgetting the costs the credit card companies charge and the cost for Anet to to have their euro's exchanged for dollars. Plus you are forgetting that the taxation is not limited to VAT but that there's also customs charges for any item not originating in the EU.

So before you go calling people stupid I'd advise you to get a hold of some facts next time instead of focusing on one simple aspect.

Mordakai · Aug 15, 2007, 09:46 PM // 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tijger

Korea? I think you're look at the wrong continent. See how many German districts there were during the Dragon Festival? They far outnumbered the Common and the French districts easily equaled the Common numbers.

GW has long ceased to be an American game, the old favor system exemplified the difference in numbers between the US and the EU.

Thanks, you just reinforced my point: The price in Euros is NOT killing GW.