This has the potential to be a major rant but I’ll do my best just to be happy with my latest purchase:

As I say in the video, the iPod Touch 32GB cost CAD$469 with 5% GST, which comes in a little over €305 which is a little under €30 more than what the 8GB version costs back in Ireland or around €150 less than the same model in Ireland. Now there’s the key comparison, that’s a difference that can’t be explained away with hand waving arguments of higher shipping costs and VAT. So let’s do a comparison:

• We’ll start with the official Apple price CAD$519
• To allow for the current strength of the Euro we’ll take the average exchange rate for 2007 (1.4691)
• Gives us a starting price of €353
• Now, let’s add on 21% VAT:€74
• Grand total: €427

That’s still €42 of a difference and the only thing we haven’t talked about is shipping which is neglibible in this scheme. That’s not a markup that’s acceptable in this global economy of ours. Is it just Apple?