Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

[starsky]

I was just wondering, why are Meguiars product so expensive here in Europe?

For example :
- Ultimate wash & wax: ~24 USD (Meguiarsdirect 9.99)
- NXT Wax 2.0 ~36 USD (Meguiarsdirect 17.99)
- Diamond Cut 32oz ~ 42 USD ( Meguiarsdirect 18.99)

All prices of course + shipping.

Is it normal that all the stuff costs almost double as what it costs in the US?
Of course, i understand that the shipping to get it to the EU costs and etc, but still! You pay that stuff like it was gold!

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

Long way to ship. Customs fees, storage and secondary distribution. It adds up

Not to mention protective tariffs from the European Union

[Mary S]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

I think Meguiarsdirect and autogeek.net do ship internationally, as long as it isn't on the list of things that can't be shipped by air, such as any aerosol spray or certain more volatile substances.

You could check and see how it compares to buying locally, maybe on a large purchase you would do better.

You may have to pay value added tax or other import duties and of course shipping. For some reason shipping from the US internationally is a bit ridiculously expensive, more so than shipping the other way.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

Your best bet is to invite somebody in the states to London for the summer. Tell him/her to come loaded down with Meguiars products. Show them the O2, take them on a ride in the Underground, take them out to see an EPL match, maybe Man U vs West Ham, or Chelsea vs Arsenal....

[FRS]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

Megs products in Australia are even more expensive, more then double the price in US.

I suggest you buy on fleabay, pay postage and save the money!

[fzr confused]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

because their products are worth it

[FRS]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

Do you believe Swirl X cost $29, NXT wax $39, etc.

I don't agree it's good value for money, rather overpriced for what it is.

US prices are ok, but not those with 200% margin in Australia, no way.

[mikexima]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

they are not really that cheap in the states either.

[fullbirdmusic]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

In Europe, they're expensive because of the euro/dollar exchange rate as well as customs fees. If I had to pay euro prices for any Meg's products I'd be using Sonax. They're actually a comparable product with Megs. Not as much selection as far as products go and utility, but at least they're reasonably priced.

[starsky]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

Hmm.. yeah.. Meguiars is manufactured in USA and the exports it to Europe, i must admit i didn't think about it.

But really the Euro is worth more than the dollar, so it's suppose to be relatively "good-priced" over here.

But how come that Menzerna (Made in Germany) is still Cheaper there in the USA than here in Europe?

@ fullbirdmusic: Too bad that i don't really like Sonax

[fullbirdmusic]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

Well, "good-priced" in Germany only takes what it used to be in DM and converts it to euro, which is worth twice as much. That's part of it.

I'm not sure why Menzerna is cheaper in the US - probably because of the VAT - US doesn't have it. Each state sets their own sales tax, and the import tax probably isn't the 20% or so like it is in Europe.

Re: Sonax - I've read around online and there seem to be many in the US that use it. I've seen it around, but it doesn't seem like anything special. They do have a professional line (called ProfiLine), which you won't find in the Wal-Mart-type stores: http://www.sonax.com/sonax-e/katalog...product=207300

I haven't tried anything of theirs yet. I bought some chrome polish I heard was good, but haven't used it yet. We'll see.

[BobbyG]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

I can't tell you the actual reason why but what I can tell you is I've found most everything in Europe, especially German much more expensive then here in the states. BMW's for example sell for about 25% more in Germany and they're made there. Electronics and camera's are two more examples that I bought and the prices were much higher then if purchased in the states.

[starsky]

Re: Why Meguiars in Europe so expensive?

Hmm... I think the only thing left to do is to wait for the Euro to raise it´s value against the Dollar and then make some massive order off fleabay or autogeek

Another hypothesis: I noticed here in EU people doesn't really care about their cars and probably most of them know nothing about Detailing.
Maybe people in the US respect their car more than what people do here which implicates higher sales rate of detailing products than what it is here in Europe.