The Late Great British Pound

[Pirsqard]

To the extent everyone is aware or not aware of it, the British Pound has fallen to levels against the American Dollar that it hasn't seen for almost 40 years. Just prior to Brexit it was at $1.50 per pound and of today it is just under $1.24. Although between transferring funds, duties and shipping you may not save money still on a complete firearm, any of the various quality accessories and components made in England and purchased directly from a dealer there are likely to be at a very good savings. Not to mention if you've ever wanted to visit England on holiday, now would be the time to do it. You could then shop there yourself.

To give an example, I recently purchased a new Gehmann 809 Butt Hook assembly from a dealer there for 129.50 pounds, which included shipping, and translates to $160.20, about $70 cheaper then the best price I could find here. And there may be items you've had your eye on that may not even be available in the US. Last I checked there are no duties for items under $800.

Keep in mind that most of the US dealers selling British or European made items in general probably bought stock at prices well above what the BP is now and therefore can't offer the pricing you'll find in England now given the current exchange rate.

Heads up.

[David Levene]

Remember that the rate against the Euro has also tanked so, for items that the retailer has to buy in Euros, there will be no advantage.

The only advantage is on items that the British retailer purchase before 23rd June.

[TenMetrePeter]

We'll be back. Just vote for the big guy and help strike UKs first free trade deal with USA .

Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it.

[Erud]

We'll be back. Just vote for the big guy and help strike UKs first free trade deal with USA .

Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it.

Hear! Hear! The UK has my sincerest respect for that decision, and I wish you the best.

[Pirsqard]

We'll be back. Just vote for the big guy and help strike UKs first free trade deal with USA .

Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it.

There's no doubt about that!

In the meantime the value of the Pound remains relative for those living, earning and spending it in the UK so now presents a real opportunity for UK business's to sell to and export outside of the UK, such as it is for any economy that see's their currency devalued. Why do you think China and Japan do it on purpose?

That said I would suggest that any Brits participating in this forum, whether you are a business owner or have favorite suppliers you can suggest, do so by supplying contact information and at the same time serving as a reference. That way we (those buying with the $US) get a great value and at the same time support UK businesses at time when they could see a real rush of business if they take advantage of the current situation. This is a great opportunity for both counter-parties.

[dmcnash]

I have not seen prices for Eley ammo go down yet?

[David Levene]

That said I would suggest that any Brits participating in this forum, whether you are a business owner or have favorite suppliers you can suggest, do so by supplying contact information and at the same time serving as a reference. That way we (those buying with the $US) get a great value and at the same time support UK businesses at time when they could see a real rush of business if they take advantage of the current situation. This is a great opportunity for both counter-parties.

Unless you want one of the (rare) target shooting items actually manufactured iin the UK then you've probably already missed the boat.

Anything that the retailer has had to buy since 23rd June will have been at a rubbish FX rate (usually the Euro).

Whilst most retailers don't care who they sell to, any item purchased before 23rd June that is exported just means that when a UK shooter wants to buy that item then they will have to pay more for it.

Thanks for your offer, but no thanks. ;-)

[TenMetrePeter]

If Air Arms produced a proper ISSF stock and sights for the MPR they would have a real winner at 1/3 the cost of German equivalent. (Even FAS are having a go at it.) As it is, even though it complies with current rules I'm having to get out the tools to make the MPR usable around the trigger guard. The butt will need work for 2017. The barrel and action is fine.
I'm guessing US has to pay 10% on top. I hate to think what an iPhone will cost us next year so another reason to get a US/UK trade deal without all the political stuff that TTIP had in it.

[Pirsqard]

That said I would suggest that any Brits participating in this forum, whether you are a business owner or have favorite suppliers you can suggest, do so by supplying contact information and at the same time serving as a reference. That way we (those buying with the $US) get a great value and at the same time support UK businesses at time when they could see a real rush of business if they take advantage of the current situation. This is a great opportunity for both counter-parties.

Unless you want one of the (rare) target shooting items actually manufactured iin the UK then you've probably already missed the boat.

Anything that the retailer has had to buy since 23rd June will have been at a rubbish FX rate (usually the Euro).

Whilst most retailers don't care who they sell to, any item purchased before 23rd June that is exported just means that when a UK shooter wants to buy that item then they will have to pay more for it.

Thanks for your offer, but no thanks. ;-)

I'm not aware I made any kind of offer, other than some insight.

For myself, that is exactly what I've been doing: buying British products from British dealers, but instead of exchanging $1.40 - $1.50 per pound, I'm exchanging less than $1.23 per pound. Are you unable to see the opportunity and savings in that for American buyers? Please explain to me anything about that that doesn't make sense to you?

I've purchased four items so far at a savings of a few hundred dollars, items I would not have purchased at the higher exchange rate. That said, as mentioned above, I also purchased a Gehmann (German) product from a British dealer at substantial savings. As of today, the British Pound continues to head down, after hitting a low $1.20 briefly on Friday, and from what I am seeing, doesn't appear to have any prior support until it gets down to around the $1.13 area, unless it finds some between where it is now and there.

From where I sit the boat appears to still be sailing full steam ahead. I have a few more items I am considering but figure I might as well wait a week or two and see if this thing finds a bottom. When it does that then I'll start buying the British Pound currency itself, and perhaps a nice pair of John Lobb Bespoke shoes.

I hope I've better explained myself.

Cheers.

[william]

We'll be back. Just vote for the big guy and help strike UKs first free trade deal with USA .

Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it.

Voting for the big guy is not possible. President Clinton has already served his 2 allowable terms.

Or do you mean the weird-hair bloke? The one who immediately after "Leave" prevailed at the polls, appeared for an infomercial at his Scottish golf club. He praised the vote, oblivious (that's the polite word) to the fact that Scotland - like all the people surrounding him - had gone overwhelmingly for "Stay."

What kind of trade deal do you see him making with the UK? Rolls Royce engines in American commercial & military jets? Not likely. Doubling imports of Jaguars and Range Rovers? Oops, I forgot. That's an Indian company? What's left? Putting a golf course on Stonehenge? Or perhaps a casino in the Tower. Whatever, it will be Yuuuge!

[TenMetrePeter]

We'll be back. Just vote for the big guy and help strike UKs first free trade deal with USA .

Brexit means Brexit and we are going to make a success of it.

Voting for the big guy is not possible. President Clinton has already served his 2 allowable terms.

Or do you mean the weird-hair bloke? The one who immediately after "Leave" prevailed at the polls, appeared for an infomercial at his Scottish golf club. He praised the vote, oblivious (that's the polite word) to the fact that Scotland - like all the people surrounding him - had gone overwhelmingly for "Stay."

What kind of trade deal do you see him making with the UK? Rolls Royce engines in American commercial & military jets? Not likely. Doubling imports of Jaguars and Range Rovers? Oops, I forgot. That's an Indian company? What's left? Putting a golf course on Stonehenge? Or perhaps a casino in the Tower. Whatever, it will be Yuuuge!

You are obviously voting for the little one. She has the same high regard for UK as you seem to. A shooting democrat - quite a rarity no?

[william]

"A shooting democrat - quite a rarity no?" No, not at all.

[David Levene]

For myself, that is exactly what I've been doing: buying British products from British dealers, but instead of exchanging $1.40 - $1.50 per pound, I'm exchanging less than $1.23 per pound. Are you unable to see the opportunity and savings in that for American buyers? Please explain to me anything about that that doesn't make sense to you?

I've purchased four items so far at a savings of a few hundred dollars, items I would not have purchased at the higher exchange rate. That said, as mentioned above, I also purchased a Gehmann (German) product from a British dealer at substantial savings.

Buying British products with the current exchange rate makes sense for you.

Buying new stock of imported products will not give you great savings compared to pre-referendum prices. The selling price in the UK will have increased to reflect the higher costs (the FX rates on the USD and Euro have fallen by similar percentages)

Buying old stock of imported products will just prevent those items being available to UK shooters at the old lower cost. The prices will be good for those in the US but that's not exactly a great selling point to encourage UK members to pass on details of suppliers (which was my point).

[william]

"She has the same high regard for UK as you seem to."

Actually I have great love for where I've been in Britain - London and the Southwest. I much prefer Cornwall and Devon to Arizona and Nevada. When you live on a small pension and Social Security, international travel becomes a real luxury. That said, I really look forward to more exploration there: southern Scotland, the Lakes Region, York, Durham and enough time spent in Newcastle to pick up a legitimate Geordie accent.

To say nothing of bitter by the pint (no half-liters, thanks) and curry & chips!

[Rover]

" I much prefer Cornwall and Devon to Arizona"

Egad! Are you mad, man?

[TenMetrePeter]

" I much prefer Cornwall and Devon to Arizona"

Egad! Are you mad, man?

I bet the houses are cheaper in Arizona too.

[gwsb]

William you can either vote for Trump or you can mail your firearms to the Hilldabeast.

[william]

William you can either vote for Trump or you can mail your firearms to the Hilldabeast.

Just like I had to mail them to Obama? Some people insist on getting the vapors over gun confiscation false alarms. Really.

[David Levene]

Can I request that this thread should not turn into another political discussion please.

[SlartyBartFast]

Keep in mind that most of the US dealers selling British or European made items in general probably bought stock at prices well above what the BP is now and therefore can't offer the pricing you'll find in England now given the current exchange rate.

Bad business practice. Should be selling current stock at prices that can buy new stock at current exchange and wholesale. Not at the cos the stock was bought at.

Selling and replacing generates cash flow and reduces inventory costs.

For a visible everyday example, look at gas prices. Pump prices are based on the current cost at the refinery, not on the cost of the fuel in the ground at the station.

A good deal is great for shooters in the short term. But low local sales leading to closed local stores is bad news in the long run. Or at least that was the old thinking. But if we're buying all our equipment at lowest cost online, what pays for local experts and support (and currently, "local" support often means a single national distributor)?

(Sorry for the tangential observation.)