Why are Meguairs so expensive?

[kusanku]

Like many people on the forum, I use Meguairs products, and am generally happy with the results. However, I am not that happy with the prices. I am currently in America, and have just popped into a local Walmart, which is the parent company of Asda in the UK. They stock an extensive range of Meguairs products, which typically retail for less than half the price we pay in the U.K. For example, a large container of NXT Generation Car Wash is available in the UK for 14.99 sterling via their website, possibly a bit more than that at Halfords. Walmart sells it for $5.99, which works out at 3.81 - less than a third of the price!!! Ultimate Quick Detailer is 11.99 here, but $7.99 in Walmart (5.08 - less than half the price!!!). Supreme Shine Protectant, which is a dashboard/interior shine is 8.99 in the U.K., and $4.99 in Walmart in the U.S. (3.17 stirling!!!). Sorry but there is no pound sign on the keyboard I am using here.

I like the products and will continue to use them, but it seems like we are being seriously ripped off as these appear to be budget/enrty level car care products in the US which we is not reflected in their UK prices.

 

[MarkJunedd]

I agree and its not just America that gets it cheaper. When I lived in australia the meguiars stuff was bread and butter polish, less than half the price of what it was here when i came back. I dont mind paying for quality but a little fairness would be nice.

 

[clk270]

Transport costs to uk, buying power of walmart in USA, and since meghiars compete with autoglym in the uk why would they pitch their prices any differently.

 

[Nasco12]

Tariffs? VAT. Also the cost of storage. Land prices are much cheaper in the US and those costs presumably find their way in to the final price.

 

[AANDYY]

More like us Brits will just about pay anything for anything!
We just tut (a little) and then hand our cash over.
May be the French have the right idea .

 

[tpwuk]

Rip off Britain. Say no more.

 

[Will]

^^etc, etc

Why would anyone pitch the price of a product like this lower than it's already selling for - seems like they're doing ok at the current UK prices.

Same goes for a lot of products/services in US vs. UK - on average I don't think they earn as much (in £ terms) as we do in the UK.

Why not bring some products back with you - or wait for the UK Halfords 'buy 1, get 1 free' promotion that they sometimes have

 

[MangoMan]

It's getting more like 'rip-off' Europe........ Been to Europe lately?

 

[tpwuk]

It's getting more like 'rip-off' Europe........ Been to Europe lately?

Yes, they're following our lead. Just bend over and take it!

 

[gkerr4]

no - i think this is about brand perception more that anything.

We (not 'i') think of meguiars as a top-level brand, not boutique as it is available off the shelf in the likes of halfords, but a top-end brand all the same.

In the states - it is just a regular run-of-the-mill car care product - competing with turtle and mothers and the like - check out how much Autoglym products are in the states?!?

(or clarks shoes if you want a real contrast of brand perception!)

it's "us" the consumer who sets the prices - we set the market becuase our expectations are that it will carry a premium price - not the other way around.

 

[BTB 500]

I'm currently using a carnauba wash/wax from Aldi (3 litres for £2.99) on the SL - no complaints at all!

 

[AANDYY]

I'm currently using a carnauba wash/wax from Aldi (3 litres for £2.99) on the SL - no complaints at all!

I've had that, very good, at that price I don't mind doing the wheels with it .

 

[MangoMan]

I've been using this: 3M Car Shampoo, 473ml Bottle for only £5.49 But then again I do like 3M products......

 

[Gazza55]

The £ vs dollar will go better so USA shopping is here to stay
UK= tax tax tax........maybe the conservatives will help in good time!

 

[vindaloo]

While you're in Wal-Mart, check out the Mobil 1. It'll make you even more p***ed off when you see the price of that!!

I was thinking of how I could bring back bottles of the stuff when I was in Vegas last year!!!

 

[Mercington]

I've been using this stuff for a while now: -einszett Car Care Products

Personally I reckon it beats Meg's and is not badly priced, can recommend the washer fluid too