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I was just on the Big Al's website which I got to from a link someone posted. I cannot believe how cheap the stuff is compared to how much here in the UK!

Anyone who's caught my previous posts will know I'm interested in getting an Eheim ecco 2232 external canister filter; even from UK e-tailers the cheapest it's available to me is approx £55 ($103), and Big Al can do it for a mere £35 ($68)!

They don't call it "rip-off Britain" for nothing.

Even with shipping and customs, it'll surely work out cheaper to buy from the other side of the pond. How annoying!

I frequently think that. My sister lives in the US and when i visit her i have a COMPLETE fit at how cheap fish stuff is. i think maybe here the big chain stores haven't caught on yet, i don't have a Pets at home near me for example and also the huge supermarkets like Asda or Tescos don't have big pet sections let a lone fish sections.

I suppose also the the exchange rate helps a fair bit but I still think percentage of earnings wise it would be cheaper in the US.

any how good luck with your order!

(how do Australia prices compare?)

GFG

_______________________________________
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.
Harvey S. Firestone

Heh. Wait till you hear this.

Dakafall told me in the chat room that he could get Corydoras panda for $1.99 (US) each. Here in the UK, they're £8 each, which translates to around $15.50 per fish. Which is why I built up Mata Hari's flock of hormonal Lotharios piecemeal.

And, for those contemplating buying Hypancistrus zebra in the UK, a dealer told me that I would be lucky if I could get them for anything less than - wait for it - £120 each. Make that $220 US per fish.

You Americans don't know how lucky you are


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Eheim ecco 2232 174.90 (AU) which is 135.05 (US) from an online store.
We have very strict import laws and are not able to legally get alot of the fish here that the US and UK can. A zebra plec can run as high as $1200. *faints* Alot of people have tried over the years to get things changed and have received some strange answers. One lady was told that the reason zebra plecs were not importable was because they would eat all the water plants if released into the wild. :%) Seems our customs officials need some fishy education.
I would like to see our selections of fish grow, perhaps a licensing procedure, much like the reptile licenses we need. Pay an annual fee and you are able to keep what they believe to be risky fish. Only the keen hobbyists would do that and usually those ones are pretty knowledgable. *sigh* I can wish!

So yes I agree with Cali, you americans dont know how lucky you are.

Last edited by Lindy at 09-Apr-2005 21:15

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

I would like to see our selections of fish grow, perhaps a licensing procedure, much like the reptile licenses we need. Pay an annual fee and you are able to keep what they believe to be risky fish. Only the keen hobbyists would do that and usually those ones are pretty knowledgable.

How right you are Lindy
I see prices at least doubled to US prices for aquarium equipment here in oz, particularly for the better brands.

There is another option you know... Germany! Basically, prices there are cheaper than the UK, shipping is cheaper than ordering from America, and no added VAT!

For instance, that Eheim filter on ebay.de would cost you (using the Sofort Kaufen, or Buy It Now feature) 53.95 Euros. I don't know how much shipping to the UK would be, but let's assume it's 15 Euros. So, that would cost you £47.4.

And it doesn't always mean that you have to understand German. Just mark "Items worldwide" when doing a search, and look for items listed in Euros. Additionally some online retailers have learnt the trick and now have websites in English with German prices. For instance, on Aquaristikshop.com you can buy that filter for 63.90 Euros + 6.90 Euros shipping, which would cost you £48.66. Still much cheaper than the same item on ebay.co.uk from the UK which sells for £55.99 + £6.99p&p.

By the way, I have bought some things from Germany before and I am very pleased with the products and the service. My last buy was Tropica Master Grow, a 500ml bottle costs less than a 100ml bottle in the UK.

Viva le Europe!

Last edited by untitled at 10-Apr-2005 10:06

Hmm... Interesant!