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| Moderated by: 3T | Topic closed | |
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johnboy24 3T WIS
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Is there or are there plans to appoint a UK agent for Benarus? |
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Parabola 3T WIS 
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I think we go straight through Ralf mate |
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Stu65 3T WIS
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Keeps the cost of the watches down by not having middle men taking their cut which i am more than happy with. Stu. |
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Steve Laughlin 3T WIS 
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Greetings. currently most of Benarus customers are in the US, so we can provide better service to handle the US customers and shipping. I am also the Benarus website designer / developer and have helped Ralf with the product designs and will be involved with future product development. Since a few weeks ago when Ralf and I collaborated I have been working almost every day for over 8 hours exclusively for Benarus (new website on the way), this wouldn't have been possible a year ago when I was working another full time job, but now the opportunity and timing is right and I am committed to the success of Benarus with Ralf's passion and motivation and my design + marketing skills. Thanks for your support, Steve |
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LFCRules 3T WIS
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No need for a UK dealer. Ralf sends them direct from Germany, so no extra customs or any other middle man to take their cut. Yes, you can't try them on before buying, but for the price, and superb design, it's worth the "risk" of not trying before you buy ;) I got my SD delivered by Ralf back in March to the South Coast here in the UK cool10.gif |
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Steve Laughlin 3T WIS
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just so you guys know, the price and future prices for Benarus models is not going up with my involvement even for the North American customers that I will serve. There is not a middle man taking a cut here, but Ralf is making an investment to grow his company and we will share the work load and responsibilities to provide the best products and services. - steve |
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BigTel 3T WIS
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Does that mean that when ordering a watch from Ralph and having it delivered to the UK there are no extra charges from customs etc for the import of the Watch best regards Terry |
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robcuk 3T WIS 
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BigTel wrote:Does that mean that when ordering a watch from Ralph and having it delivered to the UK there are no extra charges from customs etc for the import of the Watch As long as it is shipped from within the EU,yes. Rob |
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BigTel 3T WIS
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robcuk wrote: BigTel wrote: |
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ctafield 3T WIS
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Hope Steve doesn't mind me replying to this.. but I was told that the Moray would come from the EU, but future watches probably won't. So you should account for import tax/duty accordingly. |
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Steve Laughlin 3T WIS
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Yes, Ralf and I are discussing this subject. it is a lot of trouble for Ralf to get the watches from the factory to Germany and then send them out with German post. I am not 100% on this, but he can ship EU "preorders only" from Germany for all the current watches we offer including the Moray, Meg, and GMT. Steve |
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Wozza 3T WIS 
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Thanks, that is good to know as it does make a big difference if it is sent from the US, currently it is about £33 ($60) extra to pay in tax/duty when it arrives. |
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Omarino 3T WIS 
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In Uk It get. In Italy,the ship of the Usa more time come lost in the italian customs. Our post service is scandalous |
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Steve Laughlin 3T WIS
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I have discussed with Ralf and he will be able to do the shipping of EU watches from Germany that are ordered during the Preorder Only Once the watches are produced, the remaining models are all shipped from the factory to my location in the States, and I can in turn ship them anywhere in the world from the US. And customs limits and taxes are something to consider or research before a purchase is made. This will be the case for all models we currently offer and future models. Regards, Steve Last edited on Mon Jul 13th, 2009 01:17 pm by Steve Laughlin |
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Relativity 3T WIS
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As Wozza has said -- the import duties etc make a big difference to the overall price when importing from the US (to UK). It isn't just the import duty on the value of the item that has to be considered. I was suprised that I was charged VAT on the cost of the shipping and there were also adiitional "administration" charges too! Still on a positive note -- the pre-order prices seem even more tempting now  (Steve and Ralf -- please continue to ship from EU to EU if possible :)) |
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Steve Laughlin 3T WIS
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I know guys, but don't you think this is a problem with UK tax policy and not a Benarus business problem... don't get me wrong, it is frustrating on our end also because we want to take the best care of all of our customers in the UK, and we are planning to keep shipping from Germany for preorders. You should email the Queen and tell her you don't want to pay a Benarus tax anymore! I heard Her Majesty has a Twitter account now!! face4.gif Last edited on Mon Jul 13th, 2009 04:39 pm by Steve Laughlin |
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Relativity 3T WIS
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Her Majesty on twitter! Whatever next? The PM on YouTube perhaps? Bouncy.gif Steve -- I don't think anybody was blaming Benarus for the tax/import costs. As a legitimate business we understand you have to "toe the line". I think the US is the biggest market for Benarus and so naturally business strategies etc have to consider this. I simply wanted to support the decision to ship pre-orders EU to EU and encourage you to continue this.:D |
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robcuk 3T WIS
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Relativity wrote:(Steve and Ralf -- please continue to ship from EU to EU if possible :)) +1 |
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Steve Laughlin 3T WIS
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we are |
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BigTel 3T WIS
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Thank's Steve and Ralf for all the help yesterday. I now have my Megadolon pre ordered and will be sent to me from Germany to the U.K. |
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johnboy24 3T WIS
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Steve Laughlin wrote: I have discussed with Ralf and he will be able to do the shipping of EU watches from Germany that are ordered during the Preorder Only I can understand your reasons for this move however I think you could lose a lot of potential sales to Europe and elsewhere not just the UK possibly making the Benarus brand USA exclusive. It is not just the fact that we are charged exorbitant import duties in the UK, We have to pay VAT on top of these duties and on the postage charges plus a not insubstantial fee by the carriers (RM at least) for paying these charges before delivery. Along with the decision to use a roll instead of a box this will probably affect the value of the Benarus brand to collectors. In the current economic climate is it prudent to potentially limit your sales market? |
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gt-tech 3T WIS 
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I must agree with that.... ....and is not only the higher price that we will have to pay, it is also the customs delay and all the things that can go wrong. Of course, me too, can understand the reasons of this decision and the fact that you will continue to ship from EU the pre-orders helps a lot George johnboy24 wrote: Steve Laughlin wrote:I have discussed with Ralf and he will be able to do the shipping of EU watches from Germany that are ordered during the Preorder Only |
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Steve Laughlin 3T WIS
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like mentioned above, it must be a "Preorder" to be shipped from EU to EU. This is because Ralf can have all the EU packages sent together from the factory to Europe for shipping at the time the watches are complete. The unsold watches are all bundled together and shipped to me in the US where most of them are sold. With the Sea Devils I have shipped them back to the UK, but most sales outside the US have gone to Singapore, Thailand, and Canada, which Canada also has high duties and strict customs. This is a world market and every country has different laws, taxes and even limits on the price of what can enter their country. |
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oagaspar Site Founder 
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I have to laugh at this considering the guys buying from the UK save big time on the price because of the pound to dollar conversion right now(almost 50% at this time)....I honestly don't see any UK vendors making changes to accomodate those of us in the U.S and they defiently aren't losing any business....ask Timefactors/Eddie :D...also the price of a Benarus is very generous to begin with and very accomodating to all WIS imho...in the end I think it all evens out and as Ralf/Steve have mentioned if you pre-order your watch at a nice savings it will be delivered from Europe hand6.gif |
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Martin Lee 3T WIS
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How does the exchange rate make the prices 50% cheaper? |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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Martin Lee wrote: How does the exchange rate make the prices 50% cheaper? as of today 1 GBP = 1.65 USD ...so how doesn't your GBP spend farther in the U.S???....Ralf could easily sell the Moray in Europe for either $350. EU or $350.GBP and that would be good business imho...and then everyone would be asking to buy from the U.S distributor! :D |
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Martin Lee 3T WIS
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oagaspar wrote: Martin Lee wrote:That's really not how currency works. That's why exchange rates exist.How does the exchange rate make the prices 50% cheaper? If I take £100 to the US I'll get about $165 in exchange. That doesn't mean that $165 will buy me 1.65x more in the US than that £100 would have bought me in the UK. |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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Martin Lee wrote: oagaspar wrote:....nobody said it would buy you more in the UK ...your theory would be true if the exchange rate were equal 1=1;)...and you are correct it would not buy you 1.65 times more in the U.S only $65. more and that is enough don't you think? :DMartin Lee wrote:That's really not how currency works. That's why exchange rates exist.How does the exchange rate make the prices 50% cheaper? |
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Martin Lee 3T WIS
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oagaspar wrote: Martin Lee wrote:100 x 1.65 = 165.oagaspar wrote:....nobody said it would buy you more in the UK ...your theory would be true if the exchange rate were equal 1=1;)...and you are correct it would not buy you 1.65 times more in the U.S only $65. more and that is enough don't you think? :DMartin Lee wrote:That's really not how currency works. That's why exchange rates exist.How does the exchange rate make the prices 50% cheaper? 165 - 100 = 65. $65 more is 1.65x more. And no, it still doesn't work like that. |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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please explain exactly how it works then?....or just look at it from this view...1 USD = 1.65 GBP and then tell me how you see it in corralation to buying a watch that cost $350. USD and you are in the UK;) |
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Martin Lee 3T WIS
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oagaspar wrote: please explain exactly how it works then?....or just look at it from this view...1 USD = 1.65 GBP and then tell me how you see it in corralation to buying a watch that cost $350. USD and you are in the UK;)OK, so assuming I get a good deal on the currency, I'll pay about £215 for the same watch. Here's the deal: I'll have done the same amount of work to earn that £215 as someone doing my equivalent job in the USA would to earn $350. If both of us didn't buy that $350 watch, we'd probably end up being able to do roughly the same things with the money. My £215 will buy, say, 30 cinema tickets. Your $350 will probably also buy 30 cinema tickets. The number is just a number. It has no quantifiable value until you attach the currency that is involved. Someone with 1,000,000,000 Zimbabwe Dollars is not living the lifestyle that a billionaire would lead in the USA. They're probably lucky to be able to eat on any given day. |
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jasontking 3T WIS
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To add to this currency discussion. One currency can have better buying power in the very short run. If the US dollar strengthen over a short period, a person in the US would be able to buy an item for "less" if that item was priced in Euros for example. But as a whole, over the long run it is just an exchange. Everyones wage is based on their home currency. A watch is not a great deal for someone in the UK just because it takes less Euros to equal 1 US dollar. |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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I understand what currencies are in black&white but there are many gray areas....like whether or not the economies are equal....if you took 750,000GBP to the U.S and exchanged it you would be a Millionaire in the U.S...would you not?...I asked you if the rate was reversed and you had to pay 575.GBP for a $350.usd watch today instead of 212.GBP would you still buy it? |
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Martin Lee 3T WIS
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oagaspar wrote: I understand what currencies are in black&white but there are many gray areas....like whether or not the economies are equal....if you took 750,000GBP to the U.S and exchanged it you would be a Millionaire in the U.S...would you not?...I asked you if the rate was reversed and you had to pay 575.GBP for a $350.usd watch today would you still buy it?I'd wait a year for my salary and living expenses to come in line and then buy it. I wouldn't buy it today. |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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Martin Lee wrote: oagaspar wrote:I understand what currencies are in black&white but there are many gray areas....like whether or not the economies are equal....if you took 750,000GBP to the U.S and exchanged it you would be a Millionaire in the U.S...would you not?...I asked you if the rate was reversed and you had to pay 575.GBP for a $350.usd watch today would you still buy it?I'd wait a year for my salary and living expenses to come in line and then buy it. I wouldn't buy it today. I rest my case :D |
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Martin Lee 3T WIS
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oagaspar wrote: Martin Lee wrote:What was your case? The cost has changed because the cost makes up a larger proportion of my disposable income. At the moment, the cost is the same proportion of my disposable income to someone with the same situation in any other country. That's how exchange rates work and why they exist in the first place.oagaspar wrote:I understand what currencies are in black&white but there are many gray areas....like whether or not the economies are equal....if you took 750,000GBP to the U.S and exchanged it you would be a Millionaire in the U.S...would you not?...I asked you if the rate was reversed and you had to pay 575.GBP for a $350.usd watch today would you still buy it?I'd wait a year for my salary and living expenses to come in line and then buy it. I wouldn't buy it today. |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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I give up mate...here in the States what we see is your GBP will buy 65 cents more than my dollar.... if it were even as you say then you would have no problem buying that same watch if the exchange rates were switched....when you come to the States and go to a McDonalds and buy a $1.00 burger you are not seeing it as spending 1GBP but rather .45 GBP or 45 cents and not the 1GBP it costs you in the UK .... and when I go to London and buy a meal for 1GBP I look at it costing me $1.65 not 1GBP for the same burger I can buy in the U.S for $1.00 and therefore I am apt to spend less while overseas...it's a perception in the long run and it costs me more $ to buy something in the UK of equal value unless you tell me a McDonalds burger only costs .45GBP over there than I am wrong and apologize :D |
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KenC Admin 
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I don't think currency exchange is the issue giving one country or the other a spending advantage based on the strength of their currency...the issue is a Capitalist sending product to a near Socialist country where those that have are forced to pay outrageous taxes to support government programs. I do not think the loss of sales in GB will offset the additional convenience and costs of locating in the US... It is a business decision. We, in the US, pay import taxes on STOWA, DOXA and other timepieces coming from overseas...and if it is not a direct taxation, it is built into the US price. |
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KenC Admin
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hjames987 wrote: Perhaps we shouldn't get into politics, could make for a very messy discussion. I have edited it slightly, but it is not politics, it is economic policy directly related to the import and value added taxes being discussed. Granted, taxes are a political issue to an extent, but so are 1.5 gallon toilets if you want to carry it to the extreme. The thread is about Benarus shipping location because of taxes! The US has import taxes but they are set at a much higher threshold, the % is much lower, but we still pay them! |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS 
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hjames987 wrote: Perhaps we shouldn't get into politics, could make for a very messy discussion. No worries there. Post would be killed ASAP if anyone goes over board. ;) |
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Parabola 3T WIS
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Haha, this discussion has had me in stitches, one of the funniest things I've read all week |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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Parabola wrote: Haha, this discussion has had me in stitches, one of the funniest things I've read all week LOL I hear ya I was almost spitting coffee earlier. :) :cool: |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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a friendly discussion between gentlemen...it's interesting to see views from both sides of the pond and learn....and afterall we are all here to learn imo..... all that is missing is a good brandy and a few cigars! hand6.gif..it has been a pleasure for me to meet Martin Lee!  |
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village 3T WIS 
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Parabola wrote: Haha, this discussion has had me in stitches, one of the funniest things I've read all week Yep....chuckling away and hoping there was more. Anyway-back to page 1-it's good the pre orders are coming from within the EU 'cause i won't have to pay the import fees. I can understand the position regarding the shipping of other orders. Quite frankly i don't see the problem......wherever you are in the world then at some point you will probably end up 'importing' something you have purchased. You know up front that you will have to pay duties,you know before you pay what it is costing you in relative terms and you make a decision based on that. Comes down to a basic sum.... [(i like it)+(i want it)=(i can afford it)] = buy the damn thing |
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Steve Laughlin 3T WIS
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village wrote:
Well said! and... if you love your country then pay your taxes or become an ex-patriot. -steve Last edited on Fri Jul 17th, 2009 10:57 am by Steve Laughlin |
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