Thread: Europe synthetic hone prices

Just wondering why the synthetic hones cost so much more in Europe?

Because the hones pases throu one or two more persones, after the japanese dealers , that whant to profit even more ,than the japanese dealer and the manifacturer . And so as aways , merchants greed , push the prises up in the skys .
I houp this answer is satisfying , as it is the thrueth.

Then how come they are significantly cheaper in the US? Your answer was what I always thought.

Are you talking about with the VAT ? The value added tax would certainly be a consideration. Without VAT I don't know.

Is Vat different in the US?

Originally Posted by dmnc

Then how come they are significantly cheaper in the US? Your answer was what I always thought.

I would also check out what kind of duties/Tariffs are payable on imports from outside the EU. It might be that from Japan the importer has to pay a pretty penny depending on what sort of trade agreement the EU has with Japan. Death by a thousand cuts.

Bob

Thought it might be something like that. Would also explain why so much stuff from the US gets stopped in customs.

Originally Posted by dmnc

Is Vat different in the US?

We don't have VAT in the US. We also don't have 'free' health care, and other social services European nations provide. Who is better off depends on your point of view I suppose. In the particular state I live in sales tax is 6.5 % on the dollar. If I buy from the Internet, out of my state, no tax.

And your point of view depends on your age, health, and bank account!

It's dependant on the importers and taxing but the UK isn't a hard place to find well priced rocks. We generally pay an equivalent price provided you use the right shops.

Naniwa
Kitchen knives, pocket knives, torches & binoculars| knivesandtools

These guys are normally within a few £'s of SRD. The 1K choosera is about £10 cheaper, and the rest are slightly more.

From them 1pro, 5, 8, 12 = £222
SRD 1pro, 5, 8, 12 = £203

Shapton glass.
https://www.classichandtools.com/aca...on_Stones.html

Very similar pricing to SRD.

1, 4, 8, 16 = £280
SRD 1, 4, 8, 16 = £284

Nortons always seem to be double price, but I suspect that is because there a USA company and the stones are expensive to import because of that.

King stones can also be picked up pretty cheap if you look at the woodworking sites.

Add the customs and VAT duty to the SRD prices to import and suddenly £20 more is reasonable.