I not a political person what so ever and don't want this thread to turn into one. Though with the British Pound plunging seems like the perfect time to start picking up items from UK shops...Wiggle, Chain Reaction, Hilary Stone, etc. Last time I saw it was 1 USD to .67 GBP.

I think it will be hard to predict what will happen with this, but if prices look good to you, then pick up stuff now. (I have, from Wiggle) I'm curious if ultimately we'll see a bump in prices as, theoretically, stuff coming into GB from the EU, like Campy bits, will be subject to import duties. Also EU VAT rules will no longer apply, so we'll have to see what happens with that.

My biggest concern is that jittery financial markets won't like this and I'll watch my retirement funds take what I hope will be a temporary plunge.

As long as it will take for the exit to occur, its going to be just some short term financial drops as far as the £ value against other currencies, the USD included. Not too much will happen, IMHO.

That said, I am watching Ribble, and some of the shoe specialty stores, just in case, I really want some classic riding shoes from the UK.....


Bill

Euro is down a bit as well, though not as much as the Pound. Sep 16 futures are trading around 1.11. At 3pm yesterday they were over 1.14.

absolutely. and this is the perfect time to visit the uk.

I looked at pbk today for a wheelset I've been eyeing, and the price was actually higher than last time I looked a couple weeks ago. Maybe next week.

I bought a Le Coq Sportif merino jersey from PBK on the 7th. I was on their site yesterday looking at a yellow one. Just checked and the price has dropped about 12%. Looks like all the Le Coq stuff did, I don't know about everything else.

Same. I looked at CRC and stuff I have in my basket is same as it has been for weeks. I switched to GBP and then did a goodle convsersion and that came out a bit cheaper based on todays exchange. I will keep watching and see if prices adjust over the next week.

the exchange rate has been in our (USD) favor for so long, i would not expect to see a huge drop: and I am with S. Legs in that long term, the prices will actually bump as UK stores face increased tariffs and higher Euro wholesale prices. It might not even be so long term if shops start to edge up prices now in anticipation...

that said... I DO want one of those planet X Holdsworth frames.... so I will be keeping my eye out for a suddenly plunging quid! so far, prices are holding steady at around $980. if it drops to $700 its buy buy buy time.

Don't forget those international sellers on eBay. Some bikes or parts might be worth the shipping now.

of course it got me looking so I ordered a holdsworth jersey ($24) and a 9 speed chain ( $9) and some cables and housing ($2 a piece) etc. prices have not changed much but its still dirt cheap... I need the chain and cheapo cables for my <$100 clunker build

Don't assume that sellers are not going to hold exchange rates for a while to maximize real return on their inventory and then carry less stock. To secure the gains don't forget you can pay in GBP and pay the conversion toll directly with your credit card company. I seem to notice that ribble resets rates weekly. Though that is just my observation.

most credit cards tag a 3+% fee on for out of country purchases... my bank (mechanics bank.. very small) does not, and capital one .. crazily enough.. also does not which is why my wife has that card. but 90% of the big names do... just to beware.

Remember, the stuff that's currently in stock was purchased by the stores before the pound fell a bit. What will be interesting is when the newer Campy stuff hits ribble and PBK, etc. That will reflect the pound vs. the Euro, and that's when any savings will be realized.

Otherwise, there may be some super sales not because of the pound's value, but just the drop-off in business.

My guess is that there will be buying as the pound drops, which will mitigate the drop, put a damper on all the hand-wringing and people will go back to whatever it was they were doing before, unless they're Brits working for the EU in Brussels or something.

Right now, appears the world's largest case of sour grapes are being dumped out by the sore losers. They want to change the rules, since they lost. Bet they'd be fine with them if it was the other way around.

Reminds me of a not so long ago election, when many pundits were getting ready to publish articles supporting the electoral college, and then had to put those articles away when their guy ended up on the opposite side of what they thought would happen.

That's my worry as well and I'm already retired and living on my retirement funds, but my financial planner has a contingency system in place where I have enough money in fixed-income investments to pay myself out 4 years. We top that fund up from balanced fund every couple of years. I got lucky and just topped it up when the Canadian markets were at their peak 2 weeks ago.

The UK has to invoke article 50, which will start the 24 month departure process. Cameron has stated he won't and will have the next prime minister do it. He I think gave notice of at least 6 weeks, then more time to call elections, I don't think the departure clock will start until October, my guess.
Of course, for quite a while it will be terms as usual… well not quite, I think things will be pushed to start sooner than later due to the market turmoil.

Have a nagging feeling of Recession coming.

I was hoping the Swedish Crown would make a huge rebound back to the level where it was relative to the U.S. Dollar when I moved here 2-1/2 years ago (it lost about 30%), mostly because I moved money over here at what seemed like the minimum exchange rate to purchase an apartment recently (and I'm not sure how this will affect the part of my mortgage that has an adjustable rate). It would have been nice, in a couple more years, perhaps, to have the option of selling at a modest gain in value and a large gain in currency transactions.

I guess we shall see what the next couple years shall bring!

Howdy All;

British law has some quirks in it that can help folks. For instance, I wanted to purchase a book on fly tying
a few years ago. Current price was about $45.00. I found one seller in the UK that had some that had been
in storage since the book was published back in the 1930's. equivalent price worked out to roughly $9.00.
By Law he could not sell it for the current price, had to sell it for the original price. So, Buy new unused and
buy at the original. For Used items the seller can set his/her own price or whatever the market will bear.
Might wish to check that it applies for most everything, as I can only relate to the book sale.

hank

The rest of the Euro countries will hit the UK hard, so as to warn any other countries that wish to leave. Life will get tougher here as food etc will cost more, but the Brits are tough, and we will get over it.

I never voted, but if I did, I would have voted out.... Look at what Germany etc done to Greece..... people have money in banks but are limited to £420 euros per week .... sickening