Software Price Gap Between the US and Europe 1003
Kensai7 writes "A quick comparison between same versions of mainstream software sold in the USA and the EU markets show a big difference in the respective price tags. If you want to buy online, let's say, Adobe's Dreamweaver CS3, you'll have to pay $399 if you live in the States, but a whopping E570 (almost $900 in current exchange rates!) if you happen to buy it in Germany. Same story for Microsoft's newest products: Expression Web 2 in America costs only $299 new, but try that in Italy and they will probably ask you no less than E366 ($576!). How can such an abyssal difference be explained? I understand there are some added costs for the localized translated versions, but I also thought the Euro was supposed to be outbuying the dollar. Where's the catch?"
sheesh (Score:5, Funny)
were not that dumb
http://thepiratebay.org/ [thepiratebay.org]
Conversions (Score:5, Funny)
E570 is not $900; it's stearic acid. E366 is potassium fumarate.
Re:Because they can (Score:5, Funny)
Obligatory:
"I'm proud to be an American, where at least my software is more free"
Socialism (Score:2, Funny)
It's because of all the Free Software (Score:5, Funny)
If those damn users would only stop using Free Software, the price of commercial software could come down to a more reasonable level.
Re:You answered your own question (Score:5, Funny)
There is some, at least. In the US, that would be localization.
Just a different culture maybe? (Score:5, Funny)
Having worked for European companies in the States, I think it's a "business culture" thing. Europeans tend not to be as price-conscious when making business related purchases. US companies will fight until the bitter end negotiating over a few dollars, so software companies know they have to price competitively.
Not quite sure what drives it though; Europeans can be tough negotiators on most contracted services.
Take an example from my line of work -- air transport. Business class tickets sell very well in Europe, mainly because it's considered a perk once you get to a certain level. With the exception of consulting companies and others that can bill away expenses, most staffers and lower managers in the US ride in coach. Business and first are reserved for senior management, and even that requires justification when times get bad. If you're a road-warrior staff member, and fly legacy carriers, you'll eventually get to a point where (through FF miles) you're upgraded to business, but I've never worked for a company that would pay the extra money for a business class ticket, even on 17-hour torture flights!
Maybe there's some parallels to software too.
Re:Because they can (Score:5, Funny)
"I'm proud to be an American, where at least my software is pirated"
Fixed. :)
Re:Real question: Why can they? (Score:5, Funny)
...if you happen to buy it in Germany
You:
...in semi-First World countries like those in Europe
Wow!
But then, you are right, when I was living there the first 25 years of my life, we used to sit on trees and hunt mammoths with hand-axes, while our neighbours were struggling with the fancy new walking-upright industrial norm.
Nothing New (Score:5, Funny)
Microsoft has always charged less in developing nations with weak or fragile economies.
Re:Nothing New (Score:5, Funny)
That exception to the rule is just an uncommon act of mercy. Trust me.
Re:Because they can (Score:5, Funny)
Yes, but if you are stealing it, you get a better deal in Europe, where you end up saving more.
Re:Real question: Why can they? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Really? (Score:5, Funny)
In the US they seem to virtually all be native Spanish speakers, and in the UK they have such poor grasp of their own language that most custom orders seem way above them.
I'm nearly convinced that the average Scandinavian high school student has a better grasp of English than those in the UK or US :(
Re:Real question: Why can they? (Score:5, Funny)
You are right next to this dude in the stupidity department. Generalizing arrogant punk.
So, because he made one bad generalization, you generalize and assume that his reasoning skills in general are impaired? Pot, meet kettle.
Re:Yes and No (Score:4, Funny)
I heard your DVD-ROM drives spin the opposite direction because you are in the southern hemisphere.
Re:Nothing New (Score:2, Funny)
Verzion localisations cost extra time and money. Localising products are a logiztical nightmare, all of the redoing everything, all of the retesting and then you have to have a separate diztribution system to make sure that they can get the localised version they need.
Localised. :)
Re:Nothing New (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Yes and No (Score:1, Funny)
You try replacing all 57043 references to "Color" with "Colour" in Adobe Photoshop.
Re:Real question: Why can they? (Score:3, Funny)
European countries must be backward and poor - just look at how thin all the people are!
Re:Really? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Real question: Why can they? (Score:3, Funny)
Ah-HAH! But by insinuating that his own insult applies to him, you are also saying that all of his reasoning skills are impaired! Are you are thusly a pot-kettle-thingy yourself! And me, too! Oh, and anyone that points out my fallacious logic! Gotcha!
Just to follow on (Score:3, Funny)
Still I did managed to pick up 2 invites from co-workers to churches on the Sunday - seemingly my non-existant soul was of a greater concern to the average American corporate drone.