Do these companies not realise we are all poor?

Prices for a lot of European stuff has got beyond ridiculous, Harkila is really expensive.

Rifles and scopes are mad. It really ticks me off when you see the prices of Euro stuff in the US, we are getting royally rogered.

I am as guilty as anyone, I have paid silly money for Blaser and Swarovski gear, it is just not justifiable any more.

Good quality British made gear is starting to look like value these days.
 
Well all the time people will pay it they will charge it ............................................................ Simple really.
 
Called into Litts Newport on Monday, wanted a pair of cheap cammo/green trousers for my son. Selection was completely crap and rediculous prices. Long time since I have been there, prices of everything seemed stratospheric, mind you 6+ staff milling around doing ? what.

Local outdoor shop in Taunton had nice Craghoppers in the sale for £20, realy decent well made garments.

I expect I will have a look in Oswald Baileys or wait to the MGF but as you say they do seem to be completly divorced from reality.

D
 
Well all the time people will pay it they will charge it ............................................................ Simple really.

+ 1:thumb: Could'nt have put it Better, in general the people have beed get'n fleeced for years and have put up with it.

Just look at the price of a gallon of petrol or diesel . :eek:

Rgds, Buck.
 
Let me give you a different perspective from Switzerland; prices are atleast double what you pay in the UK for scopes, guns and ammunition.

The pound has halved in value against the Swiss Franc as has the US Dollar, to the point where the UK looks positively cheap. However, Sterling weakness against the Euro has made European goods considerably more expensive to import. High end scopes seem to have increased in price by 40 percent over the last two years.
 
Let me give you a different perspective from Switzerland; prices are atleast double what you pay in the UK for scopes, guns and ammunition.

The pound has halved in value against the Swiss Franc as has the US Dollar, to the point where the UK looks positively cheap. However, Sterling weakness against the Euro has made European goods considerably more expensive to import. High end scopes seem to have increased in price by 40 percent over the last two years.


Amen brother!
 
VAT and exchange rates have a lot to do with it too...[/QUOTE

This really does not account for it. There is VAT all across Europe at varying rates and the dollar is just as weak as sterling against the Euro.

The are too many noses in the trough, taking too many large margins: importers, wholesalers, retailers all marking up as they move product on.

How much is a Tikka T3 in the states? About $600? Which is less than £400? How much is it here? £800? Oh yeah, when you buy a new Tikka or Sako in the US, it comes with a set of Optilocks gratis. Optilocks here? £135?

There are a raft of cheap rifles than retail sub $400 in the states that are £700 -£800 here.

To be fair to the Euro optics manufacturers, they are shagging the yanks as hard as us.

Look at the price of a Leupold in the states compared to here, and the dollar is relatively weak against sterling just now.
 
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VAT and exchange rates have a lot to do with it too...[/QUOTE

The are too many noses in the trough taking too large margins, importers, wholesalers, retailers all marking up as the move product on.

Actually, the problem is the reverse, there are too few companies importing firearms. The whole importer business is too closely controlled between a few firms and so prices for different products and ranges is controlled and coordinated. Not enough people actually deal with the manufacturers is more the problem IMHO.

ATB,

Scrummy
 
ive a friend coming over from texas in september , he wants to be taken to a field sports shop so he can buy a leopold scope because he says the are very expensive there ,,, i on the otherhand ,when visiting him go to bass pro and stock up on clothing and boots
 
Its excellent kit,but outwith troosers and jacket their prices are extortionate.Some of the prices for a pair of gloves is unbelievable but they sell plenty.
 
Called into Litts Newport on Monday, wanted a pair of cheap cammo/green trousers for my son. Selection was completely crap and rediculous prices. Long time since I have been there, prices of everything seemed stratospheric, mind you 6+ staff milling around doing ? what.

Local outdoor shop in Taunton had nice Craghoppers in the sale for £20, realy decent well made garments.

I expect I will have a look in Oswald Baileys or wait to the MGF but as you say they do seem to be completly divorced from reality.

D


Ahhh yes well Litts of course is another name for .............................................. The Sportsman ......................................... they brought it along with a few otehr shops and kept the trading names because we as stalkers and shooters are supposed to be too dumb to realise.
 
Not everything we do in the countrside requires a trigger finger on our gloves and sometimes it is bloody cold and you need a hat but it does not need to be waterproof. Shooting goods are like cars some folk get all they need from a Mondeo others like a B.M.W or even a Ferrari. From army surplus ( unworn Gortex German pattern bib and brace £36) to Harkila to bespoke tweeds it just horses for courses. Nobody makes us buy beyond our means. Window shopping is fine and gives us something to aspire to or to laugh at. I've never seen a beater or a gun given grief for the cost or lack of it in their shooting kit.
 
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