Question re: pricing

finzup · Oct 6th, 2008, 12:36 AM

I always see the BE website in USD.
I suppose those in UK see it in pounds..

But I wonder if the USD price fluctuates with the price vs the pound??

Because the USD is now stronger against the GBP, so shouldn't the USD prices change?

Those in the states, do you buy in USD or pounds? My last purchase was billed in USD.. although I think that if we were billed in GBP we'd be better off?

finzup · Oct 6th, 2008, 12:54 AM

For example --
the SM USD $595, right? Well it's listed at 299 GBP..
Which as of todays exchange is $525.85 USD... so does anyone know if your purchase price gets adjusted for the current conversion?

Thx again

JaneD · Oct 6th, 2008, 01:24 AM

It doesn't get adjusted, from what I've observed. The US prices are as fixed as the British prices.

Suzzeee · Oct 6th, 2008, 02:21 AM

Well, I've never figured out how to see the US prices so I'm always doing the conversion, but when Jackie or Ashley quote me a price it's in US $$. I do know when I order from other UK websites, they charge me in pounds and the bank does the conversion when the transaction goes through - I sort of assumed everyone did that?? Hmm, was anyone able to see SS pricing in dollars or was it only in pounds?

missmary · Oct 6th, 2008, 02:33 AM

I saw the prices in US $.

glamourgirlpink · Oct 6th, 2008, 06:27 AM

^^^
I'm in the same boat as you, Suzzeee! Tried changing my settings but it still comes up with UK prices. This might sound stupid, but does it require an extra step because I'm on an imac?

hannahbananab · Oct 6th, 2008, 07:19 AM

I see them only in USD $...

finzup · Oct 6th, 2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneD

It doesn't get adjusted, from what I've observed. The US prices are as fixed as the British prices.

But when I look at something it shows the price in USD and then it say
"Approximate conversion to local currency", which, to me, implies that there is some conversion going on..
but it appears there isn't?

tigger98 · Oct 6th, 2008, 09:14 AM

It isn't a straight conversion between US$ and GBP. I believe that the US prices exclude the UK VAT of around 17.5% (value added tax). However, when you add the customs charges that are levied on sales to the US, the 2 prices probably end up on par with each other.

finzup · Oct 6th, 2008, 10:17 AM

If that was the case, the bags would definitely be cheaper because of the reduction in VAT.. why would BE be charging buyers the customs fees?

Melissa Ann · Oct 6th, 2008, 11:20 AM

^Maybe they pay the customs fee up front for you? But I have heard that folks say if you have DHL deliver you get charged customs, where as royal mail/USPS is a crapshoot of whether you have to pay?

Update, here is what their website says:

Do you accept international orders?

Absolutely. Belen Echandia luxury handbags are shipped all over the world. There may be some duties to pay, but the tax has been removed from US $ prices and will be removed for goods shipped to other countries outside Europe.

finzup · Oct 6th, 2008, 01:55 PM

OK so based on that they are not paying any customs duties.

BelenEchandia · Oct 6th, 2008, 02:04 PM

Hello! I am here with some clarification.

The LMM price should actually be £325. The dollar pricing is always cheaper (or it should be).

Whether you see $ or £ depends on your ISP - unfortunately this doesnt always catch everyone. So sometimes people in the UK see $ and vice versa. If you are in the US and you see the £ site, give us a call and we will put the transaction through manually, that is at present our only option.

In all honesty, we have always taken a hit on the $ being so low. When we did our pricing the $ was higher than it is today and much higher than it has been the last two years.

I do also want you all to know that the price of our bags is very low relative to the quality and the amount we pay for production in Italy.
Despite the fact that the Euro has risen by 20% (meaning that we pay 20% more for our merchandise than we did 5 years ago), the cost of fuel has gone sky high (shipping from Italy has at least doubled) and everything else has increased in price, we have never yet raised our prices.

We work out our US pricing in a different way to our UK pricing since there are also things you wouldn't know about - like the fact that accepting a US credit card costs twice as much in % terms as accepting a UK one. All such costs have to be factored in to the cost. Shipping on full-priced merchandise is paid by us. This generally costs us about $60-$100 per bag for post and packing to the USA.

And personalised service is also very expensive. We don't charge a dime for that.

Contessa · Oct 6th, 2008, 02:19 PM

BE has ALWAYS had the best value for the money spent. The leathers are some of the best in the world and in my opinion, the customer service is priceless! - not to mention highly professional and personal.....and something you might normally have to pay for elsewhere. I think I compare it to a "Personal Shopper/Shopping Experience" where you pay a fee to have someone advice and select goods for you.

djfmn · Oct 6th, 2008, 02:26 PM

Well said Contessa I could not have said it better myself.

Oct 6th, 2008, 12:36 AM	#1
finzup Addicted Belenista! Location: The BE RAOK Island	Question re: pricing I always see the BE website in USD. I suppose those in UK see it in pounds.. But I wonder if the USD price fluctuates with the price vs the pound?? Because the USD is now stronger against the GBP, so shouldn't the USD prices change? Those in the states, do you buy in USD or pounds? My last purchase was billed in USD.. although I think that if we were billed in GBP we'd be better off? __________________ "Indecision may or may not be my problem..." What I think about sometimes @ http://finzup.blogspot.com

Oct 6th, 2008, 12:54 AM	#2
finzup Addicted Belenista! Location: The BE RAOK Island	For example -- the SM USD $595, right? Well it's listed at 299 GBP.. Which as of todays exchange is $525.85 USD... so does anyone know if your purchase price gets adjusted for the current conversion? Thx again __________________ "Indecision may or may not be my problem..." What I think about sometimes @ http://finzup.blogspot.com

Oct 6th, 2008, 02:21 AM	#4
Suzzeee Proud Belenista Location: California	Well, I've never figured out how to see the US prices so I'm always doing the conversion, but when Jackie or Ashley quote me a price it's in US $$. I do know when I order from other UK websites, they charge me in pounds and the bank does the conversion when the transaction goes through - I sort of assumed everyone did that?? Hmm, was anyone able to see SS pricing in dollars or was it only in pounds? __________________ Wish List BE's new Hobo 2 in Navy, BE TMA in Petrol (ordered), RM Studded Devote Tote in Almond (on pre-order), Ignes Purple Ostrich Sophia (orderd), BE Clutch in Mulberry Python

Oct 6th, 2008, 06:27 AM	#6
glamourgirlpink Member	^^^ I'm in the same boat as you, Suzzeee! Tried changing my settings but it still comes up with UK prices. This might sound stupid, but does it require an extra step because I'm on an imac? __________________ Queen of my "castle", shamelessly addicted to shopping, Starbucks, Boston bags (especially Gucci!), my HG Lady Dior in black cannage lambskin, and my uber gorgeous/handmade in Italy/super luxurious BELEN ECHANDIA bags!!!

Oct 6th, 2008, 07:19 AM	#7
hannahbananab Member	I see them only in USD $... __________________ http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com Click every day to help homeless animals for FREE! "The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment, it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone." – Orison Swett Marden

Oct 6th, 2008, 01:24 AM	#3
JaneD Member Location: LA, CA	It doesn't get adjusted, from what I've observed. The US prices are as fixed as the British prices.

Oct 6th, 2008, 02:33 AM	#5
missmary Member Location: Los Angeles	I saw the prices in US $.

Oct 6th, 2008, 09:14 AM	#9
tigger98 Member Location: London, United Kingdom	It isn't a straight conversion between US$ and GBP. I believe that the US prices exclude the UK VAT of around 17.5% (value added tax). However, when you add the customs charges that are levied on sales to the US, the 2 prices probably end up on par with each other.

Oct 6th, 2008, 10:17 AM	#10
finzup Addicted Belenista! Location: The BE RAOK Island	If that was the case, the bags would definitely be cheaper because of the reduction in VAT.. why would BE be charging buyers the customs fees? __________________ "Indecision may or may not be my problem..." What I think about sometimes @ http://finzup.blogspot.com

Oct 6th, 2008, 11:20 AM	#11
Melissa Ann Member Location: NY	^Maybe they pay the customs fee up front for you? But I have heard that folks say if you have DHL deliver you get charged customs, where as royal mail/USPS is a crapshoot of whether you have to pay? Update, here is what their website says: Do you accept international orders? Absolutely. Belen Echandia luxury handbags are shipped all over the world. There may be some duties to pay, but the tax has been removed from US $ prices and will be removed for goods shipped to other countries outside Europe. __________________ Last edited by Melissa Ann; Oct 6th, 2008 at 11:32 AM.

Oct 6th, 2008, 01:55 PM	#12
finzup Addicted Belenista! Location: The BE RAOK Island	OK so based on that they are not paying any customs duties. __________________ "Indecision may or may not be my problem..." What I think about sometimes @ http://finzup.blogspot.com

Oct 6th, 2008, 02:04 PM	#13
BelenEchandia Member	Hello! I am here with some clarification. The LMM price should actually be £325. The dollar pricing is always cheaper (or it should be). Whether you see $ or £ depends on your ISP - unfortunately this doesnt always catch everyone. So sometimes people in the UK see $ and vice versa. If you are in the US and you see the £ site, give us a call and we will put the transaction through manually, that is at present our only option. In all honesty, we have always taken a hit on the $ being so low. When we did our pricing the $ was higher than it is today and much higher than it has been the last two years. I do also want you all to know that the price of our bags is very low relative to the quality and the amount we pay for production in Italy. Despite the fact that the Euro has risen by 20% (meaning that we pay 20% more for our merchandise than we did 5 years ago), the cost of fuel has gone sky high (shipping from Italy has at least doubled) and everything else has increased in price, we have never yet raised our prices. We work out our US pricing in a different way to our UK pricing since there are also things you wouldn't know about - like the fact that accepting a US credit card costs twice as much in % terms as accepting a UK one. All such costs have to be factored in to the cost. Shipping on full-priced merchandise is paid by us. This generally costs us about $60-$100 per bag for post and packing to the USA. And personalised service is also very expensive. We don't charge a dime for that.

Oct 6th, 2008, 02:19 PM	#14
Contessa Member	BE has ALWAYS had the best value for the money spent. The leathers are some of the best in the world and in my opinion, the customer service is priceless! - not to mention highly professional and personal.....and something you might normally have to pay for elsewhere. I think I compare it to a "Personal Shopper/Shopping Experience" where you pay a fee to have someone advice and select goods for you. __________________ Experience true luxury....BelenEchandia handbags

Oct 6th, 2008, 02:26 PM	#15
djfmn BE Petrol Adore Me Location: Afton Minnesota	Well said Contessa I could not have said it better myself.