The Price of RPGs: You think the US is bad...

[Selvarin]

Companies like Amazon.com, buy.com, etc. can afford to keep costs lower since A) they buy in larger quantities and B) people manage to get around local sales tax by ordering out-of-state (in the US) or out-of-country altogether (e.g., Europe). Depending on the country, sales tax and import duties can rack it up. Until an internet tax comes into being, consumers will continue to benefit from this. Who knows, maybe it'll bring a change in the way these taxes, etc., are applied.

 

[johnsemlak]

Companies like Amazon.com, buy.com, etc. can afford to keep costs lower since A) they buy in larger quantities and B) people manage to get around local sales tax by ordering out-of-state (in the US) or out-of-country altogether (e.g., Europe). Depending on the country, sales tax and import duties can rack it up. Until an internet tax comes into being, consumers will continue to benefit from this. Who knows, maybe it'll bring a change in the way these taxes, etc., are applied.

Regarding the internet sales tax issue: Didn't/Don't mail orders also avoid a local sales tax, or is that different?

 

[trancejeremy]

Hmm - I'm surprised that US rpgs cost more overseas - the dollar has been pushed low-ish to try to boost exports. I know Japan has tried to keep the yen around a constant amount with the dollar (so not to hurt Japanese exports to the US), but Europe has let the Euro go up and up and up. Which is why I can understand a german RPG being very expensive in Japan (or outside the EU), but US books should be quite cheap in Europe.

 

[Turanil]

Until an internet tax comes into being

Oh! No, please! NOOOOOOO!!!!!

US books should be quite cheap in Europe

Yes, but they must be brought here in the first place. Currently, you get something like XX dollars = XX euros when buying a rpg book imported from US.

But again: No to the Internet taxes!! Noooooooo!!!!!!

 

[Ranger REG]

What about Mongoose books? I remembered having cringed when I saw the price of a thin Judge Dredd Rulebook at ... what, $40 (US)? Must be cheaper in England, if not also overseas.

 

[Thanee]

RPG books are about $ x 1.2 in € here.

Bye
Thanee

 

[johnsemlak]

One question about WtoC's books in Europe:

Do they have a single price for all countries using the Euro, or do prices vary from country to country?

Also, (Ok, two questions ) if you buy an WotC book in Europe, is it printed in Europe? I've always assumed so.

 

[bubbalin]

In australia the price in the shops is about 1.5x US prices (once you've done the conversions)

ie 3.5 core books are $60 Australian (AUD) which converts to roughly $45 USD.

Most people I know that are really into RPGs get them online...

 

[bubbalin]

Also, (Ok, two questions ) if you buy an WotC book in Europe, is it printed in Europe? I've always assumed so.

I believe it
's a central distribution system. I would bet it's cheaper to ship a book because of larger print runs. Of course, translated ones are a different matter.

 

[Aloïsius]

One question about WtoC's books in Europe:

Do they have a single price for all countries using the Euro, or do prices vary from country to country?

I think it vary, but I'm not sure...

Also, (Ok, two questions ) if you buy an WotC book in Europe, is it printed in Europe? I've always assumed so.

WotC books are all printed in the USA. But the local translation are printed elsewhere. Chances are great the french version of the PHB is printed in Spain or Portugal (lower printing cost).
The translated books are now edited by local compagnies (Asmodé in France) : they are roughly 25% more expensive than the english version (between 36 and 39 € for the french PHB)