Have the conservatives adjusted our vat up to 20.50%!
 
I thought it was 20%   
 
With Roland not involved any more.. will Et Cetera resuming their role as update supplier or is this now only done via internet?
 
 
 
 

SteveStrummerUK
 
Thanks Andrew.
 
But whichever way you slice it, we're actually paying nearer 29% more.
 
And as to conversion rate fluctuations, yes, I understand that, but we actually paid exactly the same 29% more last year for the X1→X2 upgrade.
 
And how come US customers don't pay any tax on their purchase, your tax laws are making me want to emigrate.
 

We are required to include VAT in price per EU law. US tax laws are different. Can't do anything about that. Regarding this release though, the price is close but not exact as you mentioned.

Elffin
Have the conservatives adjusted our vat up to 20.50%!
 
I thought it was 20%   
 
With Roland not involved any more.. will Et Cetera resuming their role as update supplier or is this now only done via internet?
 
 
 
 

Etcetera does carry our products. 

paulo

Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]
 
 
It looks like there is about an $9 difference due to currency fluctuations.
 

There it is !!!
 
Charge everyone in $$ and currency fluctuations will not be a problem for you. Other US retailers seem to manage this.
 
BTW X3 looks great. :)

Something we have considered. It's on the table down the road but not right now.

Well, current exchange rate is about 62 cents to the pound sterling.
 
Therefore $149=£92.38
 
However Cake have to apply 20% VAT at source (or face potential repercussions), which takes us to £110.85.
 
Then currency conversion costs on top, plus the need to market at a fixed price if they're going to offer sales in sterling so a bit of protection against currency fluctuations is wise, and there you go with the other £9 or so.
 
Remember that Cake absolutely have to take VAT at source under UK/EU law (and pass that VAT on) or they (and their owners) face penalties that can include freezing of assets (e.g. boxed sets imported into the UK/Roland or Gibson products). The VAT has to be calculated on what the customer pays in sterling, not in dollars, and is chargeable on the currency conversion fee if the customer is paying it. If the price were only in dollars, we'd have to account for the VAT ourselves, pay it to Cake ourselves, then Cake pass the (varying with currency rates/different card issuers) VAT payments to HMCR. Horribly complicated.
 
That we manage to sometimes buy software from the Sates without paying VAT etc. is really because some companies ignore the requirements of Her Majesty's Customs and Revenue. A company that has any seizable assets in the UK may find it wiser to play things by the book.
 
So personally. I ain't complaining about £119.

 
Andrew, please don't misunderstand my motives in starting this thread - I'd quite happily stump up £150, £200+, whatever... for the goodies on offer in X3. The price is what it is, and I'm absolutely delighted to be able to continue to support Cakewalk.
 
But let's be honest, we've been having the conversation about this discrepancy, and whether or not you are going to start charging everyone in US dollars since I first joined these forums.
 
And I don't understand how you can charge the rest of the world exactly the same price as you do to US customers. Don't countries in South America, Japan, China, Africa, Russia etc. have the equivalent of VAT/Purchase Tax that you should be adding?
 
It's not like it's a one off, in just my short time as a Cakewalk customer (from Guitar Tracks 2 onwards), I feel like I've easily overpaid more than enough to pay for an upgrade.
 
Anyway, I appreciate your answering my concerns, I'm happy that my concerns have been addressed, and I'm pleased to hear that this anomaly might be addressed in future.
 
I'm happy to let the matter lie and I'd go as far as suggesting that you remove this thread (if you weren't going to anyway). I certainly don't want to be seen as a party-pooper on such an important day for you guys' future.
 
Long live Cakewalk, and all who sail in her.
 
 
 
 

SteveStrummerUK
 
Andrew, please don't misunderstand my motives in starting this thread - I'd quite happily stump up £150, £200+, whatever... for the goodies on offer in X3. The price is what it is, and I'm absolutely delighted to be able to continue to support Cakewalk.
 
But let's be honest, we've been having the conversation about this discrepancy, and whether or not you are going to start charging everyone in US dollars since I first joined these forums.
 
And I don't understand how you can charge the rest of the world exactly the same price as you do to US customers. Don't countries in South America, Japan, China, Africa, Russia etc. have the equivalent of VAT/Purchase Tax that you should be adding?
 
It's not like it's a one off, in just my short time as a Cakewalk customer (from Guitar Tracks 2 onwards), I feel like I've easily overpaid more than enough to pay for an upgrade.
 
Anyway, I appreciate your answering my concerns, I'm happy that my concerns have been addressed, and I'm pleased to hear that this anomaly might be addressed in future.
 
I'm happy to let the matter lie and I'd go as far as suggesting that you remove this thread (if you weren't going to anyway). I certainly don't want to be seen as a party-pooper on such an important day for you guys' future.
 
Long live Cakewalk, and all who sail in her.
 
 
 
 

I hear you. In a way, charging in USD might be simpler down the road. We have discussed internally. 
 
But so customers don't think we are cheating them. The GBP price is only about $9 more when you include VAT.
 
Euro price is identical when you include VAT.
 
So when you compare the price of SONAR in USD vs Europe, please compare $180 to the current conversion. Not $150. That's what I am saying.

 
Will do, and thread title changed.

Just out of interest... would it be cheaper for us Brits to purchase via your European store?

as we are 'currently' members of the EU it should be possible for us two purchase on the European shop?

if someone with clever maths and law skills could work out any benefits for us or Cakewalk?

I would guess that something would prevent you from doing that or everyone would just select USD store and pay the cheapest price of all.