VAT Answers and suggestions

Oh my, learn it, we don't pay 169 DOLLAR but 169 EURO! And that is MORE than 200 USD! Like 169 DOLLAR are more than 200 CHINESE YUAN!

Daniel, YOU are not getting it. Read the OP THEN my response. I'm not saying they are EXACTLY THE SAME! OMGZORZ!!!

I'm saying that based on in pocket, money to money, and the OP speaking of RW bearing (which is rather moot anyways), you pay less Euro's than we pay dollars. 169 Euro's for those who use it, buys more in RL in the EU, than our 200 buys us here. It's because of OUR crappy economy, OUR tax laws, etc.

I'm saying don't fault the people who aren't even part of the government.

The OP was using a sensationalist argument that they pay more here and that affects their RL.

You can't make fair comparisons like that, we're not playing in the same ball park. I've generally found American clothing cheaper full stop, your petrol is definitely cheaper full stop. It's not a like for like comparison.

Sorry, but that's just a sign of missing knowledge. When, for example, did you compare prices for lets say gasoline or cars between the USA and lets say Germany? Hint: in the USA I pay up to 45 percent less for GERMAN cars than in Germany.

Of course you will find products that are cheaper in the Euro zone, too. But your generalisation is more than a bit superficial - and I wont even start with explaining that even though many countries use the Euro they still have *very* different price niveaus (and the same being true for different regions and states of the USA).

Fact is: there is no easy way to compare the worth of USD and Euro.

But that was my point, hence I said to read the OP and THEN my response. Because taking that into this, would blow it way out of context.

I've also found European alcohol (ESPECIALLY Germany) to be insanely cheaper, and of higher quality. I think our limit is like 3.2% max on beer or something stupidly low. You also pay less for renting overall. The same apartment that my friend lives in (military, living off base), 2 bedroom, 2 bath is only around $400 a month. Same apartment here, goes for $900. But we could tit for tat over what exact products are more expensive or cheaper.

However, based on actual incomes and overall cost of living, your dollar does buy you more than ours does. But my point was that it doesn't matter. Comparing a local market in a global argument does little but make people like Daniel get all confused and have no clue what's going on.

Again Daniel, read what was written. Are you just skimming? (And btw, I'd REALLY like to know where you are buying your German cars! I want to shop there - here... well unless you count automatics cause my brother tells me automatics aren't exactly easy to find, in almost all of Europe, which is why some of our military ship our cars with us, then sell them to ya'll in Germany, then buy tax free from home again - but that's only for military and getting a station like that is rare, so it's not like all of us get it and do it. Additionally most of those "foreign" cars, like German cars, are manufactured here. BMW has a plant here, so it's labeled foreign, but it's made domestically. Parts and goods are not subject to the VAT like they are there, which can raise your cost. Again, the fault not of us, but of the government that imposes VAT. And if your car sale sites are any indication, German cars hold more value over time in Germany than here. I.E. The mini cooper here loses 50% value after 5 years, while prices there, only seem to lose around 20%.)

BTW, on imports we (Americans) do pay taxes, no matter what anyone says. It varies based on service, so what you are seeing as the "price" doesn't always include those import fees (aka tariff) and possible conversion fees.

Bah all this aside, and RL economics of mine vs. yours - this discussion proves that comparing RL money, no matter whose pocket it's in, or what denomination is subject to WAY too many variables to really be considered.

Your prices are rather off key, where in the UK could someone rent a two bedroom apartment for the equivalent to $400 a month?

Here is just one estate agent doing rentals I have plucked from my area:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-let-in--hampshire--south-east.rsp