Different Prices In Different Countries

[Blubs]

Hello everyone,

 

I bought a pen several years ago in Germany and paid about 300 USD. Unfortunately I lost it some weeks ago, so I wanted to buy a new one in Singapore but the same pen costs more than 400 USD in Singapore, nearly 35 % more (VAT excluded, including taxes it's about 44 %). Is there a reason for it? Transportation can't be that expensive. And I don't think that MB has put up the prices that much. I thought prices would be about the same around the world?

 

I'm just wondering. Have you experiences with this?

[Hieroglyph]

Personally, I would think it is like anything else in this World; it is what retailers can get away with, in whatever part of the World they are. A Packet of Cigarettes in UK, is at least 5 times the price that they are in most African Countries. Mont Blanc Pens, in Shops, in Places which are the Playground for the rich and Famous; are unsurprisingly likely to be more, than one in a Shop in Frankfurt...........I'm sure you know what I mean. Nothing wrong with Frankfurt you'll understand........purely used for example purposes.

[mirosc]

Same thoughts here.

Depending what "value" the people attribute to an item you have to pay more or less for it around the world. Be it photo lenses, cars or maybe even pens. It's the same with used pens. In some countries you get them cheaper than elsewhere.

[Tombstone]

Hello Blubs,

 

without having an information about:

 

- what pen are we talking about?

- how much are "several years"?

- what was your price in Germany and what is the actual price in Singapore?

 

all we can generate are just ideas in the head

 

Give us additional information and we can judge better - maybe the pen is actually (based on the price adjustments in the last years) in Singapore even cheaper than in Germany...

 

Ciao - Peter

[john5655]

I have found that Hong Kong prices are good, certainly cheaper than UK even after taking off taxes.

[Tombstone]

That was my impression, too. That's why I ask, because I expect to have also higher prices here in Germany.

 

I think the "several years" may have a big influence...

[bartl]

MB shops are obliged to change price stickers periodically, raising prices of the pens as they lie in the counter or drawer; I do not know any other company doing such a thing. Apparently recently (at least in Belgium) MB has unilaterally terminated contracts with dealers who are not situated in A - locations or who are not jewellers. The unfortunate shops are now selliing out stock at discounts ranging from 10 to 30 per cent. Finally they can offer discounts ! I regret the direction taken but since I never buy in regular shops it does not affect me.

[sunnerd]

Hmm, I have been traveling this week in Japan, Hong Kong and I've been looking for the Jonathan Swift FP. At today's exchange rates:

Japan boutique price - 125,000 yen inc tax (approx 1586 USD)

HK boutique price - HKD 7400 no tax (approx 954 USD)

 

For comparison US price I think is USD985 and the euro price is 755 euros (approx 984 USD)

 

Apart from Japan which is quite extraordinarily pricey, the other prices are very similar and I don't think there is much differences.

As I'm from Australia, before I left I tried to check the price at the Melbourne boutique. They didn't even have the pen yet in mid Sept. Even if they do, they would have priced it at around $1200 AUD(inc 10% tax) which would be approx USD 1100 (without tax).

Edited October 5, 2012 by sunnerd

[Captain Bertram]

Montblanc is dreadfully pricey here in Brazil.

A regular ink bottle that costs 16 dollars costs around 37 here. So you can have a vague notion of pen costs.

[john5655]

I did a recent comparison for the Gaius Maecenas 4810 and 888, in MB boutiques at LHR (tax free), bangkok city centre (7% sales tax) and Hong Kong (no taxes)

 

HKG came out cheapest by about 10% over LHR, with BKK a woeful last by such a whopping margin I almost lost my lower jaw. Certainly for upmarket pens it may well be cost effective to fly to places like HKG to buy, and enjoy yourself a little whilst here!!!

[varmas]

New for new a MB 149 or 146 is more expensive in Singapore than in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

 

There is no duty imposed on pens (amongst other items) sold in Singapore.

 

A foreign traveller (not a Singaporean, work permit, employment pass, student pass, dependent pass or long-term pass holder) call claim a rebate on GST (Goods and Services Tax) upon departure. This is 7% of purchase price.

 

I am guessing here - perhaps the higher price is due to higher overhead costs.

 

 

Stay well,

Solomon

[sunnerd]

Certainly for upmarket pens it may well be cost effective to fly to places like HKG to buy, and enjoy yourself a little whilst here!!!

 

Well yeah, during the "Golden holiday week"... Everywhere is full of Chinese tourists.

Even the pen shop is pack full (Hop Cheong at Central)...

[sunnerd]

This is 7% of purchase price.

 

Nope. One can only get 5.5% back... the 1.5% is "processing fee".

[adelaidepen]

Hong kong airport or kowloon have been the best prices I have seen. I used to save 20% (no VAT) by buying over the phone from London with a UK credit card but then they stopped that. Australia charge a ridiculous mark-up - often 20% over everywhere else in the world.

I have now got a USA postage forwarding service - worked brilliantly for an e-bay seller who wouldn't post overseas. MB pen and box then Fedexed to Oz for $40US fully insured. I will try that for new MBs when i don't have a trip planned to the USA.

[sunnerd]

Hmm, you're absolutely right.

I was at HK airport yesterday checking out the boutique before coming back to Melbourne. I saw the new L'aubrac Special edition and they are asking HK$17,900 (approx US$2308 or A$2270). I decided not to buy it as I didn't want to carry the big wooden case through Customs.

Today I was at the Melbourne boutique and they haven't even seen this new model... and I would believe they will charge at the same price to the Masters for Meisterstuck porcelain at A$3700 (inc GST). So if I had bought it in HK, carrying it through Customs, even adding the 10% GST/tax for the pen my cost would be around A$2530, comparing with A$3700 if bought locally. We Australians are getting ripped off royally.