Price differential

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Level 1

7 points

Price differential

I'm sure its been like it for ages but can anyone shed light on why Apple charge more in some countries than others. I've purchased items from the mac app store many time but I recently contemplated buying some mac software thats only available via the app store. The price in the US store is about $50 in the UK £49. Todays exchange rate for dollars into sterling is roughly 1.4 to the pound. At first I thought this discrepancy related to purchase tax but evidently thats not the case. Can anyone shed light on why apple pursue this blatant unfair policy.

Thanks

iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Mar 17, 2018 4:29 AM

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Answer 1

Dah•veed

Level 9

64,663 points

Mar 17, 2018 1:24 PM in response to Ravilious

When we opened our accounts here at the ASC, we agreed not to discuss Apple business or product decisions. You are in the process of violating that agreement.

Pricing of the same product in different countries has more to do with the monetary exchange rate for the US dollar and that countries currency! The cost of doing business isn't the same in every nation. The cost of doing business in Europe is higher than the US. That includes rent, taxes, wages, benefits, import duties, etc., etc., etc.

ASC - Late 2012 Mac mini, macOS 10.13.3;  Watch, 38 mm AL, watchOS 4.2.2; iPad Air 2 & iPhone 7+, iOS 11.2.5; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 10.2.6;  Airport Express

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Answer 2

Ravilious Author

Level 1

7 points

Mar 18, 2018 4:01 AM in response to Dah•veed

Dear Dahveed

Im not sure what ASC means, I rarely visit these forums. You might note Im asking a question rather than making a point, one that you seem well placed to answer. The price differential is about a third extra and I dont belive its more expensive to do business in the UK than the US. There is no uk import duty on items purchased on the app store moreover the software manufacturer are German and while for the short time Britain remains in the EU it would have no tax implications.

I cant speak for the US but here in the UK we are encouraged to question the morals and business practises of large corporations. I think if you are saying this is not an appropriate place for me to air a greivence with apple please tell me and anyone else following this thread where I take it.

Regards

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Answer 3

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Mar 18, 2018 4:13 AM in response to Ravilious

Sadly, no one here can speak on Apple's behalf. I have raised the matter several times, but that is what the marketing department want to see products charged at and as you will understand, they govern that side of things. Report your thoughts to feedback, by all means, but don't count on a reply.

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Answer 4

Dah•veed

Level 9

64,663 points

Mar 18, 2018 5:35 PM in response to Ravilious

Perhaps you aren't aware that Apple only sets the prices of the few Apple apps sold in the Mac App Store. All 3rd party content is priced by the content developer/owner. Because it is more expensive to do business in Europe, Apple will also recup those expenses in. its software. Because it is more expensive for 3rd parties to provide support in different countries, they likely recup those expenses in the prices of their content.

ASC = Apple Support Communities, this forum. This conversation is already a violation of the Terms of Use. Seek an outside forum to make your complaints against Apple. Perhaps find where the Aussies are whinging. They make this rant a lot in these forums. But it's time to move on before the forum Hosts lock or remove this thread altogether.

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Answer 5

Dah•veed

Level 9

64,663 points

Mar 18, 2018 5:37 PM in response to seventy one

Do you mean to say that Tim doesn't check his wallet every few days and set new prices accordingly? 😮

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