Ordering tackers online in the US from Europe

D

dutchie

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Jan 5, 2014
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Hi guys,

As some of you might be aware for some reason a lot of tools and gear appears to be quite alot cheaper in the US compared to The Netherlands/Europe. Does anyone know what (besides the exchange rate and lower sales tax) causes this? Are the tools identical or are they made to a lower spec or something? Seems strange there can be such a price difference in this as most "Western" commodities (Nike sneakers, Apple iPhones, European cars) cost pretty much the same all over the world.

From what I understand electrical tools don't work (out of the box) over here on the other side of the pond to the difference in voltage. etc. However I was looking on eBay at some nail guns and noticed these are also much, much cheaper over in the US. I was thinking these should just work here without any problems.

So now I was wondering if anyone has tried this (ordering a nail gun from the US) and if so if they could recommend any particular webshops that offer international shipping? I'm particularly interested in buying some Senco tackers.

Anyone have any tips/suggestions about this?

Last but not least, do the nail guns in the US use the same air hose connector as in Europe or do I need to change this on my air hose from the compressor?
 
At least here we have to pay 24% VAT on everything imported outside of EU and some items have an added duty as well. Also worth noting is that the VAT is calculated on top of the item price + shipping fees. 

I would assume the air tools use universally imperial connectors - I'm pretty sure my nailgun has a 1/4" connector on it.

I have imported some tools from the US due to the normal price difference combined with a good sale like black friday or some other seasonal event. That usually makes it worth the hassle of customs.

Keep in mind that some mechanical tools also are in imperial measurement which might bite you on this side of the pond. Namely router bits in 1/4" vs. 8mm and 1/2" vs. 12mm and measuring equipment and scales on tools are usually imperial.
 
dutchie said:
Seems strange there can be such a price difference in this as most "Western" commodities (Nike sneakers, Apple iPhones, European cars) cost pretty much the same all over the world.
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When I lived in Amsterdam ('97-'98), Levis were twice as expensive there as they were here. The rumor was that KLM stewardesses would fly to the 'States with empty suitcases and fly back with them full of Levis...

dutchie said:
Last but not least, do the nail guns in the US use the same air hose connector as in Europe or do I need to change this on my air hose from the compressor?
Click to expand...

I don't know about Euro air hoses but there are 5 standards I know of here and they can all be seen on this page from Legacy Mfg.

I know my vacuum connections are different than those common in Germany.

Tom
 
Tom Bellemare said:
When I lived in Amsterdam ('97-'98), Levis were twice as expensive there as they were here. The rumor was that KLM stewardesses would fly to the 'States with empty suitcases and fly back with them full of Levis...
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they still are. Levi's jean will run you at least € 60-€70 ($85 or so?) over here while I've seen em for $30-$35 in Sears etc. if I'm not mistaken last time I was over in the US!
Reiska said:
At least here we have to pay 24% VAT on everything imported outside of EU and some items have an added duty as well. Also worth noting is that the VAT is calculated on top of the item price + shipping fees. 

I would assume the air tools use universally imperial connectors - I'm pretty sure my nailgun has a 1/4" connector on it.

I have imported some tools from the US due to the normal price difference combined with a good sale like black friday or some other seasonal event. That usually makes it worth the hassle of customs.

Keep in mind that some mechanical tools also are in imperial measurement which might bite you on this side of the pond. Namely router bits in 1/4" vs. 8mm and 1/2" vs. 12mm and measuring equipment and scales on tools are usually imperial.
Click to expand...
We've got 21% VAT here, but I noticed on eBay with some auctions you can prepay the import taxes and those didn't seem too steep at first sight...

But take for example the Senco Finishpro 18Mg. I saw them as cheap as $79 at Walmart.com and some other sites. Let's say shipping would be about $50 with USPS. That make's $129 which is rougly € 100. Add 21% VAT makes € 121 total. The cheapest I can find this Senco in the Netherlands is around € 220. That is € 100  and nearly 50% difference on just 1 tool. Order two more and the savings really start to add up!
 
The prices in North America do not include sales taxes whereas most European countries include the VAT in the price

When Festool came to NA in and around 2000 they offered allot of tools at a lower price in order to get customers to drink the Green Kool Aid.

As new tools were released the prices were more inline with the European prices.

Eventually we'll catch up to the Euro prices [mad]

Dan Clermont
 
Could it be that the Europeans get seven weeks vacation and get to retire on a livable wage? They have to pay for that somehow. MARK
 
I order online from the US a lot. Not just because of lower prices but simply because a lot of useful gear is not available here in Thailand.
I mainly use Lee Valley, Rockler, Woodcraft and Highland. All have no problem shipping internationally. I always use USPS as the customs here usually let them go straight through. The few times I have to pay tax it is 10% duty and 7% VAT on the total price including shipping.
The prepay taxes on eBay items look expensive to me, I won't bid on those.
 
gippy said:
I order online from the US a lot. Not just because of lower prices but simply because a lot of useful gear is not available here in Thailand.
I mainly use Lee Valley, Rockler, Woodcraft and Highland. All have no problem shipping internationally. I always use USPS as the customs here usually let them go straight through. The few times I have to pay tax it is 10% duty and 7% VAT on the total price including shipping.
The prepay taxes on eBay items look expensive to me, I won't bid on those.
Click to expand...
Cool, thanks. Good to know these shops ship internationally. None of them sell Senco nail guns though :(

Does anyone know any online retailers that ship internationally that do?
 
Hi there Dutchie,

You might also look at some English web-shops, like FFX which also sells Senco.
The price difference is also interesting and shipping them to Holland is cheap compared to the USA.
And no taxes because of the EU.

I'm looking for a Bostitch GBT1850 battery nailer which costs €275 incl. VAT at FFX.
In Holland this model costs €459 incl. BTW at Toolnation. A price difference of 40%.
Worth trying I would say.

BTW.
I've bought before from English web-shops like Axminster and Rutlands.
Excellent service and low shipping costs from both.
 
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