pricing - or how to rip off people

[DirtyFinger]

Civilization 5 prices in €uro:

Steam (Germany): €49,99
Amazon (Germany): €44,99 (so digital downloads are more expensive because of digital packaging, i suppose?)
Amazon (US): €36.44 (not sure if you have to manually add sales tax though)
Amazon (Canada): €36.30
Amazon (France): €34,99
Amazon (UK): €29,22

I really don't see why germans have to fork over €20 extra. It's not like we are that much wealthier than the average british guy.

And especially: Steam is selling a bloody download and should be expected to be cheaper than a retailer selling a physical product ... otherwise what's the point of digital downloads?

Well, I'm certainly not going to by it in germany to german prices, that's for sure.

 

[duxup]

As for cheaper than retail: Retail still accounts for a lot of sales, publishers aren't going to undercut the retail folks and risk hurting that distribution channel / money.

As for the game prices any special taxes / VAT at work there that you might not find elsewhere?

 

[DirtyFinger]

As for cheaper than retail: Retail still accounts for a lot of sales, publishers aren't going to undercut the retail folks and risk hurting that distribution channel / money.

As for the game prices any special taxes / VAT at work there that you might not find elsewhere?

only us sales tax afaik...

 

[MonorailCat]

I live in Germany.
I never buy my Games here. The last 10 games I imported
from UK.
Console games are even more extreme.
Differences of 25 euro and more.

 

[Mallipeep]

Probably has something to do with taxes.

Estonia gets 20% VAT, so everything is 20% more expesive then in US (usually)

not sure whats up with UK low prices

 

[Johnny Be]

Civilization 5 prices in €uro:

Steam (Germany): €49,99
Amazon (Germany): €44,99 (so digital downloads are more expensive because of digital packaging, i suppose?)
Amazon (US): €36.44 (not sure if you have to manually add sales tax though)
Amazon (Canada): €36.30
Amazon (France): €34,99
Amazon (UK): €29,22

I really don't see why germans have to fork over €20 extra. It's not like we are that much wealthier than the average british guy.

And especially: Steam is selling a bloody download and should be expected to be cheaper than a retailer selling a physical product ... otherwise what's the point of digital downloads?

Well, I'm certainly not going to by it in germany to german prices, that's for sure.

I bought mine from UK and got free shipping.

 

[Revenant27]

Steam doesn't set prices. Publishers do.

 

[Multiball]

Steam doesnt price a product, the publisher does.

The reason Steam is the full RRP price, is because publishers are affraid of annoying brick and mortar stores.

Blame Take 2 for caving to pressure from brick and mortar stores for the steam price. Steam allows publishers too put whatever price they want on a game.

 

[Kruelgor]

Most world governments have something called import tax, import duties, or tariffs, which can often apply even with digital media.

That's why.

 

[tomekpe]

http://taniegranie.net/cywilizacja-p-2516.html

I can buy this game for you (110 zł = 27.5 euro).
But I don't know how much is a cost of shipping. Eventually, I can just type you code for steam (printed in box). But you have to trust me that I will not fool you when you send me money.

 

[zerj]

And especially: Steam is selling a bloody download and should be expected to be cheaper than a retailer selling a physical product ... otherwise what's the point of digital downloads?

I used to think the same thing, then I realized I never resell old games (the one major drawback of Steam) and I also replace my computer every 3 or so years. So for me a Steam copy is actually worth more than a physical copy. I don't have to worry about finding an old disk when my PC dies, just redownload from steam. Offsite backup of game data is worth something that offsets distribution costs of a physical copy. Of course there is no price difference between Steam and Amazon in my market so it isn't a decision I have to make.


I'll agree the extra 20 for Germany vs UK does seem silly.

 

[Mercade]

Yes, yes, and another price rant thread. There seems to be a new one every day. It's all known.

Just look at the stickied thread. It shows all known prices for web shops all around the world, and many European countries. It shows exactly which shops you can use for web orders. Amazon isn't the only one that delivers in Germany, you know.

 

[Slayergnome]

I have an idea. Go destroy some barbarian camps, beef up your horde and then march on the firaxis game main office. You may have to research optics first because it is in America. And don't worry bout Washington I will hold him off for you.

 

[HamTard]

Publisher sets price differerently in each region based on local taxes, import taxes, and government ratings fee charges, as well as matching retail MSRP. I know Germany and Australia have anti-violence video game laws and often require a special censored version of video games to be made for just those regions. In many first person shooters, the German version has no blood, instead people spark or drop nuts, bolts and gears when shot so that they are robots and it isn't violence against humans.

 

[bossconian]

What a rant !!! This game is worth every money of the world. I just bought the mega delux edition from hong kong - it costs me with 12h delivery ( i had to book flight ticket) about $699. And I was happy that my longbows took out the enemy battleships. I like animated leaders and that barb camps give you 25 gold !!!

 

[DirtyFinger]

What a rant !!! This game is worth every money of the world. I just bought the mega delux edition from hong kong - it costs me with 12h delivery ( i had to book flight ticket) about $699. And I was happy that my longbows took out the enemy battleships. I like animated leaders and that barb camps give you 25 gold !!!

wow. which country has dollars that are worth a tenth of a euro?

 

[ashmizen]

Hong Kong dollars.

Although I'm not sure if he is being serious, about flying there and all.

 

[Justicex]

Now I am really confused. My disk copy I bought from EB Games was $49.99 CAD (plus applicable taxes). I thought the euro was under par from our dollar. I know I've fallen out of touch with the currency market, but it sounds like european fans really are getting screwed.

 

[Gelion]

As for buying from UK while living in Germany... What sites do you use?

 

[kooboo]

Poland - about 110zł-140zł - around €27-€32 - normal English copy with Polish cover, leaflets etc. Probably possibility to install Polish version too but haven't tried it .

About price differences - there's an online game - EVE Online. Check that
http://www.eveonline.com/pnp/pricing.asp

I wish Civ price was converted this way into my currency - by simply changing symbol