Is the new Takom Luchs really worth £57.99? It seems to be $56.99 in the US so even with VAT including I can't this kit could be a full [equivalent of] £21 more valuable in this country.

But sometimes I wonder why is the Japan or Hong-Kong internet price with shipping (& Customs) less than the UK shop price for AIRFIX?

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Is the new Takom Luchs really worth £57.99? It seems to be $56.99 in the US so even with VAT including I can't this kit could be a full [equivalent of] £21 more valuable in this country.

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Not sure I understand your math, if the kit is $56.99US that would be £37.93 without VAT. You then have to consider transportation and distributor fees going into England, and there also may be a difference in import tariffs as well.

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I'll break it down for you:

1. 1 UK pound is worth roughly 1.50 USD.
2. Going by those rates $57 would be worth £37.26.
3. The UK RRP of this is kit is £58. That's a bit less than £21 more than what the US price would be if it was converted to pounds.
4. UK VAT rate is currently %20. Add that onto £37.26 and you still only have £44.72 which is still £14.27 less than the price in reality.
5. The kit has to be imported from China [where Takom are stationed], so the transportation and distribution fees and import tariffs have to be paid for the US as well [and that country is nearly twice as far away from China than the UK]

I'll break it down for you:

1. 1 UK pound is worth roughly 1.50 USD.
2. Going by those rates $57 would be worth £37.26.
3. The UK RRP of this is kit is £58. That's a bit less than £21 more than what the US price would be if it was converted to pounds.
4. UK VAT rate is currently %20. Add that onto £37.26 and you still only have £44.72 which is still £14.27 less than the price in reality.
5. The kit has to be imported from China [where Takom are stationed], so the transportation and distribution fees and import tariffs have to be paid for the US as well [and that country is nearly twice as far away from China than the UK]

clearly stated....Maybe its a British tradition of excess profit?
is the excess profit ratio the same for a French person buying in France?, or Germany?

that is ...is it a Euro thing?

Most prices I see in uk just swap the $ for £ then add P+P.

clearly stated....Maybe its a British tradition of excess profit?
quote]

Like that of the US bankers in 2008?

Modellbau König (or Koenig ..) in Germany has them for £37:60 (depending on the rate at the moment) + shipping
but if you get over 150 Euros the shipping is free ....
http://www.modellbau-koenig.de/Military_Models_135/Wheeled_Vehicles/modern_since_1945/Bundeswehr_SpPz_2_Luchs_A1/A2_2_in_1_i38_45942_0.htm

There is a UK-flag to switch to English if the link opens in "German-Mode" :-)
I can recommend MBK without any reservations, sometimes it is possible to find a better price elsewhere but they are my main supplier of "vital stuff" and things I "must" have ;-)

/ Robin