Why is Assos Gear 52 Percent More in the US than Germany?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 789
Bikes: 09 Pinarello Prince, 09 Cervelo P3, 10 Stevens Team Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Why is Assos Gear 52 Percent More in the US than Germany?
US Consumers are being hosed down by European bicycle and component manufacturers. A prime example is Assos. The new Assos Winter.LL Bib Tights sell retail at Competitive Cyclist for $399 plus tax and shipping. The exact same Assos Winter.LL Bib Tights sell for $261.61 plus tax plus shipping in Germany. In Germany Assos gear is ordered by the retailer directly from Assos. Prior to this fall in the US Assos gear was ordered by the retailer through Ochsner, a distributor, who purchased the gear from Assos. Now Assos gear is ordered by the US retailer directly from Assos. Guess what now that the distributor has been eliminated and the dollar has improved substantially the US Assos retail prices have stayed at their astronomical level and have been given their annual bump up. The American cycling enthusiasts are just getting ***** by Assos.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rockport, WA
Posts: 299
Bikes: Y-Foil 77
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Assos is made in Europe. It gets a little more expensive every time you import something. America likes to keep its workers. Why are there more Aston Martins in England?
EDIT: The Swiss know that Americans go crazy for their stuff.
EDIT: The Swiss know that Americans go crazy for their stuff.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,258
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
you thinkg 52% more is bad, try Canada. land of unnecessary inflation.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#5
stole your bike
I wanted to get the Assos winter bibs as the first piece of winter clothing I splurge on, but $400 for bibs is crazy. In the future I might try and get my hands on a pair but on clearance.
__________________
I like pie
I like pie
#6
Edificating
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland
Posts: 2,452
Bikes: Spooky + Sachs
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
1.) competitive cyclist has probably the worst prices on everything they sell.
2.) the dollar has only strengthened in the last few months... prices aren't automatically changed throughout the entire supply chain instantly..
2.) the dollar has only strengthened in the last few months... prices aren't automatically changed throughout the entire supply chain instantly..
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Posts: 423
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Umm. Because the Euro has fallen through the floor over the past couple of months. The only thing that's worth less is Sterling.
#8
Shut Up and Ride
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PA (Worst roads in existence)
Posts: 1,969
Bikes: 05 Cannondale Six 13 (Record 2008 with DT rr 1.1 rims, WI H2 Hubs and CX-ray spokes), OLMO Antares (Micx of 06 Record and Chorus), 1988 Tunturri, 1980's Fuji, 1970's Crescent (Sweeden)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I scored my 2008 Record shifters: $282.00 and 08 Record FD for $70 dollars when they were liquidating their stock to make room for 2009.
-Easton EA70 stems: bought 3 at $24 a piece
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 3,198
Bikes: 2007 Orbea Onix, 2007 Windsor The Hour, 2008 Kona Jake
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#11
Double Secret Probation
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Eastern Indiana
Posts: 2,578
Bikes: Madone 6 series SSL, Cannondale CX9, Trek TTX, Trek 970, Trek T2000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Chill out!
__________________
Time to Ride...
Time to Ride...
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 789
Bikes: 09 Pinarello Prince, 09 Cervelo P3, 10 Stevens Team Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#14
How much does it weigh?
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Weight Weenie on a budget.
Posts: 3,427
Bikes: Lotus Fixed, Bianchi Virata 2004
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Unfortunately, it's subsidized. I really look forward to the day when gasoline in this country is no longer subsidized, and then people start seriously looking into better infrastructure for alternative transit, better fuel economy, better designed cities, etc:. There is so much **** and scary societal issues that have been reinforced because of the subsidized pricing on fuels.
#16
How much does it weigh?
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Weight Weenie on a budget.
Posts: 3,427
Bikes: Lotus Fixed, Bianchi Virata 2004
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 789
Bikes: 09 Pinarello Prince, 09 Cervelo P3, 10 Stevens Team Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes. The shipping charges from Germany with insurance are approximately $28. On the Assos web site one can find the names of German Assos dealers. Germany is the largest market in the world for Assos products. German retailers are very professional and dependable. You will not be charged the VAT.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
28% Duty On Cycling Clothing
Our government puts a 28% on most cycling clothing imported into the United States.
Another reason why cycling clothing is less expensive in the US is earlier this year the dollar was at 1.60 to the Euro. Now it's 1.27 meaning that the prices are less expensive. Distributors bought the clothing at 1.60 and didn't plan on the more expensive price. It's not as if they're importing it every week.
Doug
BicyclingHub.com
Another reason why cycling clothing is less expensive in the US is earlier this year the dollar was at 1.60 to the Euro. Now it's 1.27 meaning that the prices are less expensive. Distributors bought the clothing at 1.60 and didn't plan on the more expensive price. It's not as if they're importing it every week.
Doug
BicyclingHub.com
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 789
Bikes: 09 Pinarello Prince, 09 Cervelo P3, 10 Stevens Team Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The tariff is on the wholesale price before the distributor puts their mark up on it. After it hits the US the distributor marks it up. Then the retailer marks it up. Then if you purchase it in a bricks and mortar store, a sales tax is slapped on it. As much as 10 percent if you live in Chicago.
Manufacturers take advantage of international markets in manufacturing their products. Why shouldn't consumers take advantage of international markets when purchasing cycling products?
Manufacturers take advantage of international markets in manufacturing their products. Why shouldn't consumers take advantage of international markets when purchasing cycling products?
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 3,198
Bikes: 2007 Orbea Onix, 2007 Windsor The Hour, 2008 Kona Jake
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#24
Spelling Snob
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Plano, Texas
Posts: 2,862
Bikes: Panasonic DX4000, Bianchi Pista
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
As long as Americans are buying Assos at the high price, there is no reason for them
to lower it. That will only happen when sales drop.
to lower it. That will only happen when sales drop.
__________________
The first rule of flats is You don't talk about flats!
The first rule of flats is You don't talk about flats!
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 789
Bikes: 09 Pinarello Prince, 09 Cervelo P3, 10 Stevens Team Carbon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Actually the Federal Government heavily subsidizes automobiles and indirectly gas in the US. The Federal Government heavily subsidizes highway construction which has lead to the US wasting important natural resources and putting most of the global warming carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Not only has the American automobile centric lifestyle hurt our urban environments, we have squandered irreplaceable natural resources, directly and indirectly killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people to access their natural resources, trashed the atmosphere of our small precious planet, and created physical environments in the US that are not healthy and make us fat, thus shortening our lives.