Typically is stuff more expensive in Europe than it is in America?

Question

If I were to buy a Lacoste polo in Paris, would it be more expensive than if I bought one from a Lacoste store in America?

Would Chanel earrings be more expesnive in France than here in America?

Hopefully my examples are demonstarting what I mean by my question.

Answer 1

yes yes yes! a lot more expensive. when i was there, i bought a coke for 8 eros

Answer 2

Yes, things would be more expensive. French currency is now the Euro, which converts 1 Euro to about 1.4 dollars, quite a bit more expensive.

On the bright side, there is no taxes! :D

Answer 3

Generally speaking things are more expensive in Europe than in the US. But there are big differencies between European countries too. It's more expensive to live in Ireland, France and Germany than in Italy, Spain or Greece. And it's even cheaper if you go to Eastern Europe countries like Poland, Lithuania or Slovakia...

In Europe, the price you see is the price you pay as taxes are already included.

Answer 4

First I should correct a common piece of economic error which has been expressed here.

A place is not more or less expensive than another because the basic unit of currency in one place is more valuable than the basic unit of currency in another.

The British pound, for example, has never been worth less than an American dollar and yet there have been times when the UK was far cheaper than the United States.

If some good, a widget to make up a name, costs 10 pounds in the UK and 10 dollars in the United States then it is true that widgets are more expensive in the UK than the USA. But if a widget costs 4 pounds in the UK and 10 dollars in the United States then widgets are cheaper in the UK.  

Now some people just read that explanation and go "But widgets would NEVER sell for 4 pounds in the UK while they sell for 10 dollars." But that simply shows they have no real experience with pricing across national boundaries or aren't thinking very hard about it.

For example, French wine tends to be less expensive in France than it is in the United States. Doesn't that make sense? Exactly how much cheaper does depend on the current euro/dollar exchange rate but generally it will be cheaper within a reasonable range of values.

However, things do tend to be more expensive in Europe than in the United States for a variety of other reasons.

First, European countries, generally speaking, have vastly higher taxes than the United States.

Second, European labor laws tend to increase the cost of labor.

Third, European distribution and retail efficiency is below that of the USA.

Answer 5

yes.  it can be more expensive in France.  The exchange rate doesn't help wither (1.34 dollars to buy a euro) so everything by default will be a third more expensive for Americans (you poor b******s).  

But, there is hope.  Skip France and go to Spain instead!  Even with the bad exchange rate stuff is still dirt cheap there!  Cloths, food, hotels... PLUS the food is better, the people are nicer, warmer, more friendly, and the weather is fantastic (it's raining in Paris now).  Also, the people are better looking (another plus).

Answer 6

well yes it will be more expensive especially if u buy from england where the poud is almost 2 to 1 dollar of ours and even if you bought it cheap u still have to content with shipping and handling costs..