Inspiration prices in UK/US?

[DrySuitDave]

The lowest price I have seen for an Inspiration CCR is $5900 in the U.S.

However I have heard they are about 3000 pounds in the UK, which converts to $4250 or so.

For the $1650 difference, if the 3000 pounds is correct, well, I can fly round trip to the UK for less than $400.

Does anyone else have some thoughts on this or know of the current UK price in pounds or know of some UK dealers?

 

[devjr]

The Value Added Tax can be refunded to foreigners but you have to fill out a form. In due time, you will get a refund.

 

[DrySuitDave]

I alwasy wondered what that VAT thing meant. Is it in addition to "sales tax"? How much VAt is on a product that sells for 3200 pounds?

Would it apply if they shipped a product outside the country?

For about $150-$200 USD I can have something the weight of a CCR shipped to the US.

 

[Jonathan]

VAT (sales tax) in the UK is 17.5%

3,000GBP seems cheap for the inspiration when I lived in the UK (up to July last year) people talked about 4,000 GBP which would come more in line with the US prices. Also your US distributor will probably have to pay some kind of import duty.

If you fly over and buy one it'll be more than your allowance so you may get the VAT back when you leave but have to pay some duties when you arrive in the US.

I am running into a similar problem with the VR3 from Delta P in the UK - in the UK 800GBP with 17.5% sales tax in Japan the equivalent of 1,000 GBP and sales tax is only 5%.

I hope this explains VAT for you at least - I used to work for a company returning VAT to foreign visitors so if anyone needs to know how to do it drop me a line and I'll try and help.....

Jonathan

 

[DrySuitDave]

Just today I received a written price quote of 3250 British pounds for the Inspiration.

That VR3 is the computer I have my sights set on, the newer version. Looks like a really trick computer.

 

[Jonathan]

cool - it's definitely coming down in price then. Is that inclusive or exclusive of sales tax?

Checked out the VR3 at the Tokyo Dive show and it certainly looks the biz - got mine on order......

 

[padiscubapro]

The current retail price is 3366 pounds (this is the price without VAT), If you purchase one over there it 3955 pounds and youll have to apply for a refund..
I have heard of people getting billed the import duty on products shipped sometime after receiving it. You best chance is bring it across yourself, the problem is that if you don't get it stateside youll have to get any of your in warranty repairs through the dealer (instructor)it was purchased, and many times they want the entire unit.. For many problems your better off forgetting about the warranty and just getting a dealer to take care of it. Ambient pressure has a few oddities about their selling of the Rbs, they will not sell to a store that doesn't have an instructor on staff, and all units even if paid by a store will only be shipped to and are the responsibility of the instructor.

when buyiing it in the states the shipping cost is added plus the import duty, this adds around 1k to the pricing. The priceing was just raised 4%. Also if you plan on using it in the states youll have to get some DOT approved cylinders and Valves.. Its not that big a deal if you do you own fills and stay within 1 state, but most stores will not fill non dot cylinders and its a criminal offense traveling with non DOT cylinders across state lines. the tanks I would recommend run about 275 each plus valves...

I have had the new VR3 (full blow trimix closed ckt)since december( I received my unit directly from the designer arranged by a 3rd party), it has its pluses and minuses.. It has 2 things that must be changed.. The buttons stick to much and the display is way too small.. it has to be at least doubled in size ...

I'm going to give it one more shot on my trip to truk this month, Then I'll decide if I carry it as a backup computer or sell it..

I seriously doubt anyone in the staes will sell it for $5900 thats probably based on the old pricing with euro cylinders/valves and if so you probably have to get the training from them at atleast 1k.. I heard last year someone was selling it for 5900 but it required training of $1000 and was only done on trips the dealer was doing (this is unconfirmed - I never called the dealer) SO the 5900 was hidden by the high price of the trip..

I find the biggest headache is that they never seem to deliever the units when they say they are going to be delievered.. they quote 8-10 weeks, I know people that waited over 4 months(after paying), and others that got the units promptly.

I have had 3 units on order since January and I still dont have a ship date.. Its the biggest problem in scheduling training, I have a class scheduled for the 1st weekend in april and am not even sure I'll have the units by then..

If you have any questions feel free to ask...

 

[DrySuitDave]

Here is the e-mail quote I received:

"Hi Dave

thank you for your enquiry.

We sell the Buddy INspiration for £3276. This is 15% off the retail price.

As we do not carry this item in stock, we would require a deposit to order this for you."



The above price converts to 4,660.71 USD, That beats the daylights out of $5900! They said they ship anywhere too, and shipment would be about $225-$250 plus importation duty I will guess.

I wonder if VAT is waived when it is shipped outside the UK.....

Still a good deal i think.

 

[padiscubapro]

It appears, the VAT is not being added so I guess since The dealer can prove he's shipping it the VAT is not necessary.. You will most likey get hit with a duty ranging from 10-20%, it depends on what category the examiner assigns to the package. The next part I doubt you will comply with but legally you are supposed to pay sales tax to you local authority. This is supposed to apply any mail order products but everyone normally ignores it. Takeing these into account you will not be saving that much.. on top of that you still have to get DOT cylinders and valves which will add about $800 or so.. ( I doubt the $5900 us price included dot cylindrs). The price also doesn't indicate if the larger or smaller wing is included, There is a price difference.
The last unit I had brought in between shipping and duty was a bit under 1000us. I dont remember the exact cost. The price you were quoted is not much more than actual dealer cost before shipping and duty.
A small side note.. If you are not inspiration certified yet, the dealer will have to ship it to an instructor, if this dealer ships it directly to a non certified diver, the unit will not have any warranty(the dealer is breaking his dealer agreement). The units are normall ordered with the name of the diver and are supposed to be registered immediately to activate warranty.
So before you plunk down your money make sure you can make the proper arrangements with your trainer if you are not certified yet.

 

[DrySuitDave]

I will check into the cylinders and valves to make sure they are DOT approved versions.

The dealer selling them would be taking delivery, then sending it to me.

I will also look into the wings. They do advertise that this price is 15% off retail.

Tonight in a pool I get to try an Inspiration out, this ought to be a blast....