Brandon Ryan [Cakewalk
]

We don't set the prices outside of the US.

Karyn


Also as regards  VAT,  WE NEED YOUR COMPANY VAT DETAILS so us registered companies can account our VAT (and claim it back) properly.  That means a valid VAT invoice.  You only need to add your VAT reg  details to the cake store sales confirmation....

Brandon Ryan [Cakewalk
]

We don't set the prices outside of the US. We have a retail distribution network outside of the US that sets prices for each individual market. That's just how our business works.

I realize everyone would like to buy in their own currency in order to save a little based on exchange rates, etc.

But look - let's think about this rationally for a minute. To expend so much energy over what is frankly less than the price of a single modest meal for two (barely) seems a little out of line relative to the amount of "hurt" doesn't it? I'm just sayin'...

I'm not a rich man by any means, but I certainly wouldn't let the "loss" of 20, 30, or even 40 dollars linger in my head for too long, especially if it was for something I really wanted. Life is just way too short.

We are always looking at our worldwide retail distribution network and evaluating things. For now, it is what it is. It's not that we don't care or are trying to ignore anything - it's simply the way the business works. And yes we do pay VAT which accounts for some of the discrepancy.

And please understand - I'm not trying to belittle the argument or diminish anyone's feelings. I understand it sucks to pay more for something when you don't feel like you should have to. I guess I'm just saying that...

1) We here you.
2) We're really not trying to be greedy or punish anyone.
3) Nothing is going to change in the short term.
4) We are always evaluating the situation.
5) Perhaps try to put it in perspective and don't let it keep you from enjoying making music with SONAR.

aixmusique


I agree with the proposition of boycotting X1 until the prices are based on real money rates.
Cakewalk is american; so they should want to be attractive for EU area. In the opposite the products are more expensive in euros.
Anybody ok to do a petition to cakewalk?

Cry Logic

PH68
Your solution is easy.
Lets us have the option to buy direct from you in $$
and let our bank do the conversion and ourselves be
responsible for any taxes.

It's nowhere near as "easy" as you envisage because, in each
marketing area around the globe, Cakewalk  has already existing
arrangements with distributors which they can't undermine by offering
products at a cheaper price, without breaking the agreement.

John T


Please read the post you're replying to. He's not talking about boxed products, he's talking about why you can't undercut your own distributors. The medium of delivery is irrelevant.

John T


Oh, lordy. Because its extra. The answer is right there in your question. Something tells me this is a weak rhetorical question rather than a serious one.

SteveStrummerUK

lorneyb2


It has to do with distributorship contracts.  You simply can not undermine the people that are distributing the products for you or you will no longer have a distributor.   

 
But how has that got anything to do with paying for a product in the (US) Cakewalk Store and then downloading that product from the (US) Cakewalk site?
 
If it were just a matter of paying the VAT (@ 17.5%), the current VAT fraction is 7/47; eg if you pay £89 for something, the VAT portion of that price is (89 x 7) / 47 = £13.26; that would make the 'original' price £75.74, or US$121.09 - certainly not $99.
 
A transparent invoice for a $99 download, including VAT, might look like this:
 
DOWNLOAD:
Net price of product..................$ 99.00
+ UK VAT @17.5%.......................$ 17.33
Total price...........................$116.33
@ current $US - £UK exchange rate = ..£ 72.76
 
Nowhere near £89
 
And it's irrelevant that the difference is the price of a meal - what if the product was $990/£890, or even $9,900/£8,900 etc. Would anyone over here be happy to pay that amount of mark-up just because of the geography of where you live?
 
Distribution costs would not be affected in proportion, only the VAT, so the distribution argument (especially for downloads!) flies out the window.
 
And even if you are buying a boxed product - and especially from a UK/EU distributor, why isn't the VAT itemised on the invoice/receipt so the UK VAT registered purchasers can claim it back as input tax?
 
I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with buying a boxed product from Cakewalk and paying the extra - everyone in the link between the US and my front door in the UK has to charge for this service.
 
I think that all the concerned UK purchasers on this thread would be happy to pay whatever as long as the invoice is correctly itemised.
 
For example:
 
BOXED PRODUCT:
Net price of product..................$ 99.00
+ UK VAT @17.5%.......................$ 17.33
Price inclusive of VAT................$116.33
@ current $US - £UK exchange rate = ..£ 72.76
Shipping/Postage......................£ 16.24
Total price...........................£ 89.00
 
 
 
 
Simples...
 
But if any of that doesn't make any sense, it's all Mr Bulmer's fault  

:

SteveStrummerUK
...why isn't the VAT itemised on the invoice/receipt so the UK VAT registered purchasers can claim it back as input tax?

 
 
FastBikerBoy
I think the easy way to "resolve" this is simply up the US price to the $121 we in the UK are being asked to pay ($142 less the 17.5% VAT). That way us UK users are happy we're not being ripped off, and no one in the US is going to mind paying an extra $20 because most of 'em have been on here saying (and I paraphrase) "it's only $40 so stop complaining". Problem sorted.............

Brandon Ryan

We are always evaluating the situation.

cake2010

SteveStrummerUK
...why isn't the VAT itemised on the invoice/receipt so the UK VAT registered purchasers can claim it back as input tax?

Isn´t there a law or something about that (atleast should be).