Spyderco Forums

carl3989 wrote:I'm sorry you guys in Europe have such high prices for knives. Look at the bright side, at least handguns are cheap and plentiful for your concealed carry enjoyment.

JT wrote:I've bought all my Spydies from trusted US dealers for years. Even if there's taxes and custom fees etc, it's still cheaper than buying within EU.

sal wrote:We've been working with our export distributors to try to come up with the best solutions. We even had some special group meetings in January. The main problem seems to be taxes, VAT's, and other added costs that our European distributors have to tolerate.

sal wrote:Hi Dodgie,

Welcome to our forum.

It would be helpful to know where you are in a discussion like this. We've been working with our export distributors to try to come up with the best solutions. We even had some special group meetings in January. The main problem seems to be taxes, VAT's, and other added costs that our European distributors have to tolerate. We really appreciate our distributors overseas and many of them, like Edgar have been working with us for 3 decades. I worked with the fathers and Eric is working with the sons. It is because of these distributors that we even have a base in other countries. They are dedicated and loyal and have you, their customers in mind with all decisions. It's a challenging problem, but we will be persistent (Spyderco and the distributors) until we come up with the best solutions. Please try to be patient and understanding.

sal wrote:Hi Dodgie,

Welcome to our forum.

It would be helpful to know where you are in a discussion like this. We've been working with our export distributors to try to come up with the best solutions. We even had some special group meetings in January. The main problem seems to be taxes, VAT's, and other added costs that our European distributors have to tolerate. We really ap preciate our distributors overseas and many of them, like Edgar have been working with us for 3 decades. I worked with the fathers and Eric is working with the sons. It is because of these distributors that we even have a base in other countries. They are dedicated and loyal and have you, their customers in mind with all decisions. It's a challenging problem, but we will be persistent (Spyderco and the distributors) until we come up with the best solutions. Please try to be patient and understanding.

Hey Killer, MAAP was a step in gtrying to bring these divisions closer together. Of couse there are other probs, even in the US with pricing. "When you got problems, that's how you know you're not dead" :rolleyes: We all know that the customer always wants to pay the lowest price, but we also know that one must make a profit to stay in business.

We are also open to suggestions. :confused:

sal

What a pleasant suprise! A reply from the man himself. I feel quite humbled, I've come to love your products and conduct in the business as a whole. First of all, thanks for your hard word and commitment. Ever since I bought my delica 4 I loved it felt so right for EDC purposes. Learned to sharpen en reprofile on that delica and it's been through **** and back, but some time on the sharpening rods and it's good to go again. That's when I came into contact with your and your sons designs of the pm2 and Manix 2 so I read.
I wondered if it could surpass my first spyderco exprience, and this was the result after 3 quarters of a year later .
I honestly admire the way spyderco strives for quality and innovation without losing sight of what matters. Functionality. All I need now is a Delica in 189-zdp and I should be done. There, it's not every day you meet the man behind your favourite knive(s) so I couldnt not help it!

As for where I am habitable, you mean? In the Netherlands.
Mid range spydies quite expensive, For example. I do not mind paying a fair provit over a product. But over here there is 1 giant knifeseller, which is basically the main hub for all brands and types of knives, tools, tactical cooking etc. I systematically see them charge prices where they put emphasis on hot words like s110v steel, and populair models like paramilitaries vary in price from 185 to above 200 euro for a coated s30v one for example.

Then there is the rulebook about importing from non-eu businesses and what limitations and liberties you have. For the sake of relavance I'll glace over the most relevant few when it comes to importing or buying dometically. `
First off: there is no danger my folding Spyderco of any sort will be seized (Save for if they recognize the brand or model upon inspection which I can't blame them, should I lose it. This is what NL customs filed under weapons of the stabbing kind and folders (no double edge on a folder is allowed, beside that you..

Examples
Examples of weapons and ammunition are:

firearms
bludgeons, thrust and stabbing weapons (such as knives, brass knuckles and swords)
gas heat guns
airsoft equipment
alarm guns
pepper spray
dummy weapons
ammunition

Examples of bludgeons, thrust and stabbing weapons, stilettos, switch blades and butterfly knives are:

folding knives with more than 1 cutting edge
folding knives that are 28 centimetres long in folded position
brass buckles
blackjacks
nunchakus
ninja stars
skinning knives
ballistic knives
arrows and arrow heads used to shoot with a bow and that have cutting edges that could injure someone
catapults
Dummy weapons that resemble real weapons. You are not allowed to bring these in to the Netherlands. Are you bringing in these weapons without a licence? We then seize these items.

So that's that, and I guess a folding machete with a leafblade and s110v for edc will remain a dream too.

Then there is the fee: when importing from outside the EU the following applies when inporting to the netherlands from company to person.

I have received a parcel from a non-EU country and I have to pay for it. How has this amount been calculated?close
Read
This amount comprises VAT and customs duties such as import duty. The amount of tax will depend on the purchase value and the goods category.

Example: purchase value is more than € 22 but less than € 150
You have bought a photo camera outside the EU costing € 149

Definition
amount
Price of the photo camera
€ 149
Shipping costs (for example, € 25)
€ 25
Insurance costs
€ 10
Customs duty
No customs duty needs to be paid because the value does not exceed € 150
€ 0
You must pay turnover tax on:
€ 149 + € 25 + € 10 = € 184
You will need to pay turnover tax because the value of the photo camera exceeds € 22
-
Turnover tax (VAT) on this photo camera is 21% of € 184
€ 38.64
In total
€ 222.64
In this example the tax to be paid will be € 38.64.

In most cases you will need to pay clearance and handling costs to the post or courier company.

The Deacon wrote:I still wonder whether this is really a "Spyderco prices" issue, or a more general "prices of knives from US manufacturers" issue in Europe.

demoncase wrote:

The Deacon wrote:I still wonder whether this is really a "Spyderco prices" issue, or a more general "prices of knives from US manufacturers" issue in Europe.

I don't know so much- I've not seen any differences in the price of Kabar or Cold Steel from the aforementioned retailers.....Which provides some confirmation (or at least confirmation bias!) to my points above.

It's not EVERY retailer either-
Mindyourfingers has the Centofante Memory at £204 (What we'd consider to be the normal UK price for this knife, give or take a £5)
Heinnie Hayes has the Centofante Memory listed for £306!

Unless the latter gets delivered to me by personal helicopter within 1 hour of purchasing, I can see why one is 30% more expensive than the other.