Thought for saving money...Book prices on International Amazon Sites v's the US site

Giles

I've been looking at a book on cyptography on Amazon. The thing is I live in the UK. Checking the book out on the Amazon UK site and the US site, the UK offers a 20 percent discount, and the US 30 percent, and they have also fiddled the exchange rate - 41 GBP to 54 USD. I'm fairly sure the exchange rate is not 1.31. Also shipping is about the same to have either site deliver it to the UK, but there is a wait of about 2 weeks for the delivery from the US - I can understand that. Hmmmm. So what would you do? Is it like this for other countries? Why should we pay more for not living in the US?:omg: Giles

Simon Walton

Giles wrote: I'm fairly sure the exchange rate is not 1.31. You're right, it's 1.43 at the time of writing. I can't really see the problem anyway, I've made 18 orders from amazon.co.uk in the past, and their service is excellent. I've ordered some books later than 10pm, to have them arrive the next morning. :-D Simon There's one for you, nineteen for me Sonork ID 100.10024

Giles

Okay £33 from the UK site or £27 on the US site. Roughly anyway. This does not take into account the postage - which is not that much in both cases. I can have something sent half way around the world, and have it cheaper, or buy it locally from the same compnay but be charged more? Simon Walton wrote: I've made 18 orders from amazon.co.uk in the past, and their service is excellent. I've ordered some books later than 10pm, to have them arrive the next morning I agree, very good service, and fast. The thing was this is not the only book I was wanting to buy in one go. I was looking at about 5 other quite expensive books, and suddenly I've saved myself £25, by placing the order abroad. The discount rate in the US seems to be better all around. Giles

Stan Shannon

Could it have anything to do with Amazon possibly facing some kind of addtional taxation expense for service in the U.K.? A case of passing that expense on to the customer? Just a guess. "There's a slew of slip 'twixt cup and lip"

Giles

Yep, it could well be. We have VAT(Value Added Tax) in the UK which applies to most things, but it does not apply to books, and childrens clothes. Maybe its something to do with their overheads. To be fair, they seem to be offering the best discount compared to other online stores, but its still not as cheap. Maybe I should ask them why. Would like to know. Giles

Andy Hassall

Giles wrote: Yep, it could well be. We have VAT(Value Added Tax) in the UK which applies to most things, but it does not apply to books, and childrens clothes. Although I believe it does apply to books that come with a CD.

Andy Hassall (andy@andyh.org) Space - disk usage analysis tool

ISIS55

Lucky for you you can choose. We don't have Amazon.co.il yet so I'm forced to order it from the US. It takes roughly 3 weeks to arrive and the delivery costs 11 USD!!! The last book I bought from Amazon cost 21 USD, with delivery it was 34 USD, and also took 3 weeks to arrive. That sucks big time. Usually I get books from local online shops, they deliver it in a couple of days by snail-mail for free, or by the next day directly to your home for a couple of extra bucks. The problem is that most of these books are not very common and very hard to find. If I'm lucky I can find them in the Uni book store, otherwise I just have to wait.... Isaac Sasson, Small time programmer - complainer at large. Sonork ID 100.13704 "I don't beleive in women selling their bodies. They should be cooking instead." -Simon Walton, February 14, 2002 at Bob's HangOut

David

Why would you buy a computer book from Amazon in the first place? Bookpool has been cheaper than Amazon for every computer book I have ever bought. They have the above book for $33.50(39% Off) and ship to the uk. Also check out www.bestbookbuys.com. David