Bargain In The Usa?

[ucyljad]

Searching rather vaguely for a starter type duet instrument for my kids,and remembering that a new Hayden is available I happened to look in on these two well known websites:

http://www.buttonbox.com/newtina.html

http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/contfram.htm

 

 

Hobgoblin have it at £599 or $1105 on the US Site

Buttonbox have it at $795 or £432.81 when converted

 

That's a substantial difference in price. Are they the same instrument?

 

 

Andy

[JimLucas]

Hobgoblin have it at £599  or $1105 on the US Site

Buttonbox have it at $795 or £432.81 when converted

That's a substantial difference in price.   Are they the same instrument?

Almost certainly the same, BUT...

... There is undoubtedly some sort of import tariff involved. In the US I think it's 2.6% of the (wholesale) value of the concertina. Might it be higher in the UK?

... Do the English prices include VAT, or not? The US does not charge VAT. (The Button Box would have to charge a local "sales tax" to buyers within Massachusetts, but not those outside, so it's not included in their on-line prices.) VAT is a significant percentage, isn't it?

 

Edited to add:

But if you're thinking of buying from the USA, you would have to pay shipping charges (including insurance), import tariffs, and VAT (I'm pretty sure the UK government will make you pay that).

 

So getting it from The Button Box might still be a bargain, but maybe not.

Edited June 9, 2004 by JimLucas

[David Barnert]

I am a very happy Hayden player, but I have a good one (a Wheatstone). Before being so quick to buy a Stagi Hayden for someone who wants a duet but is not committed to the Hayden system, I'd have a look at Robert Gaskins' article:

 

Which Duet Concertina—Hayden or Maccann?

 

You might be able to get a much better (ie., playable, durable) instrument by getting a vintage Maccann at a similar price.

[Chris Timson]

You might be able to get a much better (ie., playable, durable) instrument by getting a vintage Maccann at a similar price.

Or even a Crane duet, and be able to find your way around the keyboard

 

Chris

[BillErickson]

Before being so quick to buy a Stagi Hayden for someone who wants a duet but is not committed to the Hayden system, I'd have a look at Robert Gaskins' article:

 

Which Duet Concertina—Hayden or Maccann?

 

You might be able to get a much better (ie., playable, durable) instrument by getting a vintage Maccann at a similar price.

 

While it's probably a little pricier, there's currently a nice Maccann Lachenal up for bids on eBay courtesy of Barleycorn Concertinas. Check out:

 

eBay auction