I’m heading to Europe in a couple of months and was looking at a new pair of Italian road shoes…
Are these shoes cheaper in Europe as they are made in Italy? Actually, I think they are made in Bosnia, shipped to Italy to be sold as Italian made… but…
What about bikes? I heard certain components/frames are pricey in Europe… is it true you can sell a bike/wheels bought in North America in Europe for a profit?
The only consumer goods cheaper in Europe than the US are those not sold in the US. VAT, other taxes, employee costs, inefficient retail sector, etc. drive up the retail price of everything in Europe and often far beyond what you would pay in the US. The country of origin does not matter unless the product has a very low value to weight ratio.
EXCEPT Brooks saddles! I got a B17 for in Central London for less than you pay at Performance. It’s the ONLY thing I’ve ever found over there that was less than in the US.
Due to the strong Euro, prices in Europe are a bit more than the US (just got back from France and Germany). If you are bringing the stuff back, make sure to get the VAT rebate.
All that being said, you can get cheaper than US prices from probikekit.com and wiggle.co.uk (both will ship to the US for free and are quite reliable…takes about 7 days to get the stuff, and I’m in California).
Due to the strong Euro, prices in Europe are a bit more than the US (just got back from France and Germany). If you are bringing the stuff back, make sure to get the VAT rebate.
All that being said, you can get cheaper than US prices from probikekit.com and wiggle.co.uk (both will ship to the US for free and are quite reliable…takes about 7 days to get the stuff, and I’m in California).
Strong Euro? Last time I visited Europe it was $1.62 CAD, now it’s worth only $1.27 CAD! My trip will be a bargain this time!
I was pondering selling my bike/Zipps while in Europe… if I can get the right buyer/price… might be able to sell used there and buy new back in Canada… maybe?
The Euro is still strong historically relative to the $USD, though it has weakened a bit lately.
As others have said, check out Pro Bike Kit, and also Chain Reaction, both based out of the UK. Never mind actually traveling over there if you are based in Canada. The UK pound has taken a real beating versus the CAD$ so if you check around their websites you’ll be pretty amazed at the prices of some of the gear.
I’ve ordered a few things from both sites over the last year or so. Shipping has been either free or cheap, ~ 2weeks to Canada, and twice I paid no duties/customs fees and the third time I paid only the PST/GST on the declared value. That’s okay though because you won’t pay UK sales tax.
I feel a little bad shopping internationally, but I literally paid less than half of what I would have paid locally.
I doubt the savings are as significant if you are in the US. Everything there is already way cheaper than Canada.
The Euro is currently as low as it has ever been. My buddy just bought a set of Durace Wheels that typically sell for $2k, for $1,200 from a dealer in Britain because the depressed Euro.
Evian is super cheap in grocery stores in Paris.
Evian is super cheap in grocery stores in Paris.
8/10
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Not quite as it ever was. When I lived in France in 2000 1€ was worth $US.80.
Not always, the specialized Virtue waterbottle is $50 in the US but sells for 12-15 in UK. that’s about $17-21. There are many similar deals. ‘Accessory’ items tend to be more expensive in the US as that is how many shops make their profit.
Perhaps in a LBS but I am sure you can beat Europe prices online. Specialized website sells this waterbottle for $20.
not exactly, yes the watter bottle is $20 but…
virtue water bottle with cage is the US is $50 on line (specialized and on line vendors)
virtue water bottle with cage in the UK is $15-22 at current exchange rates.
which also begs the question - $30 for a water bottle cage. … c’mon.
Specialized is a great bike company. I really think they have great stuff. but one of the things they do is overcharge for the ‘bits and pieces’. you can get a transition pro frameset with fork, seatpost, brakes and stem for $1800 but they want $200 for a different seatpost. And this is common with most bike companies (not to mention car companies).
anyway, point is, some things are cheaper overseas. i believe US buyers look at sticker price first and don’t consider add on’s. Euros tend to accept higer sticker price but won’t pay big bucks for the add on’s. different people different marketing. all changing in a global marketplace.
Regards
The UK doesn’t use the Euro (they still have the Pound), and it has been devalued even more than the Euro recently so there are definitely definitely good deals to be had in England.
In mainland Europe (the actual Euro currency zone), pretty much everything is more expensive, even with the weaker Euro.
I am in Germany, and I fill my suitcase with as much gear as possible everytime I’m in the US.
I realize the UK uses the Pound. I converted based on that exchange rate. And yes they have both devalued a lot lately but that has only increased the savings. In absolute terms the difference was the same before this latest round of currency issues.
I did lump UK in with EU for marketplaces and that is probably inaccurate. However, some things are priced better in all locations. UK has PBK, Ireleand (EU right) has Totalcycling. I’m sure you purchase some things cheaper in the US, as i’ve purchased quality bib shorts cheaper in Switzerland, wheels cheaper in Ireland …
Many get their carbon bikes and wheels direct from Asia. It’s a global marketplace and cyclist probably get to use it more than most.