Volvo new parts cheaper in US than Sweden?

darylrobert · Post by **darylrobert** » 30 Jan 2020, 01:09

So i found myself in Swedish lapland over xmas chasing thenorthern lights and i thought about buying some spares for my xc70. The problem buying parts while
traveling is most parts need to be ordered, in northern Sweden this is usually over night but because xmas was mid week i wasnt able to order anything but i did get the prices. One part i was after was 150SEK about $15.50usd, a inquiry at a dealership in Finland had that part at 11 euro and 4 days shipping..an online search in the states showed that same part for $6 plus shipping to Australia. The online price in Australia was $40aud thats around $26usd. Anyone else found this or have i got my calculations wrong?. The part is made in United Kingdom,its the rubber gasket for the mirror foot.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 30 Jan 2020, 01:31

Car parts are ridiculously expensive in Sweden. We order our stuff online from Germany. It's often half the price or less for brand items from the large OE manufacturers such as Sachs, Lemförder, Mahle and others.

Post by **oragex** » 30 Jan 2020, 02:15

It will also vary between dealerships

Post by **Rattnalle** » 30 Jan 2020, 02:19

oragex wrote: ↑30 Jan 2020, 02:15 It will also vary between dealerships

It does but not that much. Even the non brand name parts of the chain stores are often twice the price of the brand name part from Germany.

Post by **oragex** » 30 Jan 2020, 04:03

Is that related to some tax politics ? I think cars in Sweden are pretty expensive ?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 30 Jan 2020, 04:32

oragex wrote: ↑30 Jan 2020, 04:03 Is that related to some tax politics ? I think cars in Sweden are pretty expensive ?

Lack of proper competition mostly I think. We're a small market.

We do have a 25% VAT which is roughly comparable to many other European countries such as Germany (19%). Large online stores in Europe have to pay the VAT that's applicable in the customer's country anyway though so it's usually the same.

You never see a sticker price without VAT included either, which makes direct comparisons with the US harder.

Also we have a relatively high price level in general and incomes to match so prices are set accordingly.

Post by **kranz** » 30 Jan 2020, 04:54

There is usually a mechanism to get a refund of the VAT charges if you leave the country with your purchase. But of course, it involves knowing the rules, filling out paperwork and the pleasure of playing show & tell with the authorities upon your exit. But of course said purchase may be subject to import duty when you land somewhere else.

Post by **oragex** » 30 Jan 2020, 07:23

Slightly off topic, but do you have to pay tax when buying a used car in Europe ? Like no matter how many times a used car is being re-sold, each time the gov is taking taxes on the transaction ?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 30 Jan 2020, 07:57

oragex wrote: ↑30 Jan 2020, 07:23 Slightly off topic, but do you have to pay tax when buying a used car in Europe ? Like no matter how many times a used car is being re-sold, each time the gov is taking taxes on the transaction ?

Very country dependant. At a dealer you'll pay VAT but if selling to another person used you only have to pay tax if you make a profit. So for regular used cars sold between people it's not an issue.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jan 2020, 11:42

but if selling to another person used you only have to pay tax if you make a profit.

Ill be tax free forever

In NY state, the buyer has to pay the sales tax on the purchase price of the used car when they go to register it, at the prevailing rate between 6-8.25%. Ill confess to under-reporting when I was younger and stupider, now I am a grown up and pay my share.Of course, the cars I bought when I was younger rarely went over $100, so it was petty crime.

Now Im in the $500 car regime, and I would be a big time criminal