Ripping off American Drivers
 

So I just bought a Losi 3.0 here in Italy for 415 euros before sales tax. At the current rate of exchange that equals out to 554 dollars. They are being sold in the states for 699 dollars. Someone is screwing over American drivers. Either Losi, Horizon, or Amain is making a ton of money on these kits. Even when you add in the 20% sales tax that Europeans pay, the price comes out to 646 dollars. Who is making the big money on this thing? I am positive that the hobbyshops over here are still making a profit.

699 MAP, will sell for 450 or so.

Minimum Advertiseble Price is not actual price.

A-Main is making good money on the kits. However, here in the states you would lose money selling one for $450

Go to Amain and add one to your cart. They are selling for 699.

What is dealer price in the U.S.? Is it Horizon making the extra money? Everything else cost more here in Europe for this hobby. There is nothing that we get cheaper.

I doubt you'll find out this info. Let's just say hobby shops aren't getting rich fast in this industry.

Someone on here works for a hobby shop and is disgruntled enough to share this info. I am pretty sure you are right though that the hobby shop is not where the money is being made. I just find it interesting that here in Europe everything is significantly more expensive except the Losi 3.0 For instance a Mugen MBX7 sells for 550 euros which works out to 733 dollars. The cost before sales tax works out to 611 dollars. That is pretty close to American prices.

I do find the price difference interesting. For example, I checked Wheelspin Models Uk, I can get a 3.0 shipped for the UK to USA for $635.

Pretty sad that it is cheaper to order it from the UK and have it shipped all the way around the world.

Sad indeed! For cost comparison, my HB D812 cost $520 here in the states, but around $660 shipped to USA from Wheelspin.

Unrealistic probably to expect uniform prices around the world. Could be all kinds of reasons that nobody's mentioned. Shipping costs, marketing strategies, cutting out of distributors, who knows what..

What does amaze me is how much more realistic European prices have gotten in the last 3-4 years...

I agree that we should probably expect higher prices in different parts of the world, but to pay more for a car in America when it is produced by an American company seems like price gouging. Granted it is actually produced in China, but almost everything in the hobby is made there.

Also, you can't really equate relative prices based on a given day's exchange rate. LOT of variables there...

The rate of exchange has not varied more than 10 cents in the last 4 years. I work in finance for the Army so I deal with it every day. In fact right now is the strongest the U.S. dollar has been in 4 years, so the price should be a lot higher in Europe.

How much did you pay for your associated car and truggy. They are a company that produces everything in China but sells in the U.S. and Europe.

I agree though that prices in Europe have gotten a lot better. I remember racing in the Hessen Cup in 2001 and I ordered everything from the U.S. back then.