Prices in the US

[Redeemer]

I was wondering if you guys could give me insight into the price difference between some of the stuff in the US and the UK. The reason I need to know is because I just did a makeup swap with someone in America, and she said that her swap box cost a lot to ship because it was heavy. Mine wasn't. We set a budget for $50 - that's £32.

 

I bought her 9 cosmetic items. They came to about £32. They're from brands such as Bourjois and Soap and Glory.

 

If it's not too much trouble, can anyone give me insight into how much stuff is in America? I know you guys are mostly, well, guys, and won't know this stuff. But if you can link me to a website that has Bourjois and Soap and Glory so that I can compare prices, I'd greatly appreciate it. I can't seem to find one and I don't know any store names.

[DoctorAllosaurus]

Found one for soap and glory stuff: http://www.sephora.com/soap-glory#!ref[]=900106&pageSize=60&defaultPageSize=60&sortBy=-1&defaultSortBy=-1&brandId=6022

 

...and here's bourjois: http://www.asos.com/Bourjous/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=1451&r=2

[Redeemer]

Wow that's great, thanks! Prices aren't much different. I must have just bought her brand name stuff, hence the price and quantity difference.

[Drasiana]

If you're buying stuff between countries too keep in mind there's a bunch of weird tax stuff and import fees. If I remember right from my trip there the UK tax is usually included in the price where it's added on to the US price during a sale, and for some reason NA shipping is stupidly expensive >:

[Star Fox Runner]

You also have to bring exchange rates into mind as well, the american dollar doesn't go as far as it used to.

[DZComposer]

The one thing no one ever remembers when dealing with buying stuff overseas is pricing points. This is why item A costs more in Country X than in Country Y.

In every market there are sweet spot prices in the local currency. In the US it is tricky. People like these values:

$1

$5

$10

$20

$50

$80

$100

$150

$200

$250

It goes by 50s until it reaches $1000, then it goes by hundreds until $10,000 then by thousands.

But that's not all that goes into prices. Research has been done that shows people like paying less than these values, so they knock a cent off of it. Weird, I know, but there is science behind it. So, a $50 item will be priced $49.99. Prices for US items almost never include sales and use taxes. Average sales tax is around 8%, so a $49.99 item is actually about $53.99. Though localities can and do charge their own rates, so it can vary. Currently, there is no sales tax on internet purchases in the US unless the company has a presence in the state ordered from, though there is a bill in congress that will allow for states to collect sales taxes for all transaction made from them.

The US is also not a very consumer-friendly market. Things like extra fees are usually not disclosed until it is time to pay. Also, the US allows employers to pay service employees who make tips incredibly low wages. Because of this, tipping 15-20% is expected for almost any kind of service (waiters, bellmen, cab drivers, etc.) even if service was poor. Minimum wage is $7.50/hr. For tips, it is less than $3/hr. It's a big steaming pile of bullshit, but sadly requiring people to be paid a living wage is politically controversial in the US. Seriously, people, don't stiff your waiters or do bullshit like putting advice or Jesus tracts in place of tips. Without them, these people can't afford their rent and food.

To put it in perspective, in the town I live in, the average 2-bedroom apartment costs $1200/mo. That just happens to be what someone making $7.50/hr makes in a month before taxes.

[Redeemer]

Sounds similar to us, people are more likely to buy something for £4.99 than they are for £5.00. Eh, I sent the package and told her how many items it contained. I sent 9, for a total of $30 and I think that's generous considering the brand label and such. Hopefully she'll like it. She hasn't replied to my PMs though. Awkward.