iStore discrimination?

[Fones4me]

Is it just me or is there an unbelievably massive discrepancy between the cost of a 4S from the iStore UK compared with the iStore US?
Example: 32GB iPhone 4S from iStore UK = £599 or $924.89 at today's exchange rate from xe.com
Same iPhone 4S (unlocked) from iStore US = $749 or £485.12

That's an extra £113.88 or $175.89 for UK customers.

Anybody know of a reason for this?

 

[5er driver]

Definitely discrimination in Europe. That same unlocked phone from Apple online in Germany sells for €739, or £633, or $978.

Sent from my iPhone 4 using iPF.net

 

[iGaz]

A big part of that difference is VAT...

 

[iJeff]

WOW! I cant believe they are that expensive for a phone if you ask me........

 

[5er driver]

A big part of that difference is VAT...

Gaz is correct. In Germany the VAT is 19%. The only real way to compare the phone prices is without tax. Each country and each U.S State has their own % of VAT or State Sales Tax which drives the end price out of range for some people.

The phone specified above without tax in Germany would be €€599, or $792. The phone sells for $749 in the U.S so we're looking at a before tax difference of $43.

I don't know the U.K.'s VAT %.

 

[iGaz]

It's currently 20%. So that's roughly £480 before tax...

 

[Fones4me]

Ok so we're getting closer. I don't feel so violated anymore, except by my own government.
Definitely not planning any shopping trips to NZ in the near future though!
Thanks for your input folks.