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.

Here's a thought: don't buy Assos? :thumb:

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.

you thinkg 52% more is bad, try Canada. land of unnecessary inflation.

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.

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..

Umm. Because the Euro has fallen through the floor over the past couple of months. The only thing that's worth less is Sterling.

http://ichart.finance.yahoo.com/1y?eurusd=x

I go straight to the "closeout" section.

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

Check lickbike.

Are these the same thing? $175 on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ASSOS-MENS-RX-LL-CYCLING-BIBTIGHTS-BIBS-XLG_W0QQitemZ370104348630QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Men_s_Athletic_Apparel?hash=item370104348630&_trksid= p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Chill out!

These are not the new Winter.LL tights. These are being discontinued. You can them on sale at Competitive Cyclist for $139.50.

Why is gas so much cheaper in the US than the rest of the world?

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. :mad:

Off topic but gas isn't subsidized in the US it's just not as heavily taxed as it is in Europe.

Ah, thanks for the correction.

can you buy it online from a german retailer and have it shipped?

Gas? http://img3.harmony-central.com/acap...b/confused.gif

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.

That depends upon your definition of 'subsidized'.

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

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?

I stand corrected. I always have a hard time with the naming conventions for Assos and trying to find them cheap online.

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.

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.