Are game prices in Europe a rip off in comparison to USD?

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Ryan-1945 Feb 19 @ 5:16pm

For example, if a game costs $70 but in Europe that is higher, being at around 80€. The difference is that in the US, sales tax gets added upon checkout (rates vary depending on where you live; there are only five states that don't have it), but in Europe, VAT (15-20% depending on the country) is included in the price, some have it higher than others hence why it is expensive.

Last edited by Ryan-1945; Feb 19 @ 5:22pm

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Showing 1-12 of 12 comments

datCookie Feb 19 @ 6:29pm

Steam has regional pricing, games sold on Steam are the same price no matter where you live, you just need to account for the currency conversion.

Xero_Daxter Feb 19 @ 6:31pm

I refuse to buy a game for over 40 dollars even if it was GTA 6.

Dwerklesberry Feb 19 @ 6:32pm

Doing business in europe is expensive, what's new.

sick duck Feb 19 @ 6:34pm

You can see a full list of currencies and how they compare relative to each other on the steamdb web page. I have visited parts of America and Europe though, and I'll say that American pricing of things with their hidden taxes and tips is scummy shady ♥♥♥♥. I never knew how much money the reciept would tell me I've lost when I was in America.

Last edited by sick duck; Feb 19 @ 6:37pm

King of Games Feb 19 @ 7:36pm

Originally posted by Xero_Daxter:
I refuse to buy a game for over 40 dollars even if it was GTA 6.

key sites are really helpful with that problem

trousers Feb 19 @ 7:40pm

Haven't we been here before...

Fake Feb 19 @ 7:50pm

VAT pays for all the free stuff. . . . wait a minute.

Incarnate Feb 19 @ 8:41pm

Australia is still somehow worse.

Ganger Feb 19 @ 9:52pm

Originally posted by anrkyuk:
Part of the problem is sales tax, or VAT as it is called in Europe.

In the UK this tax is 20% which is about average across Europe, in the US the average sales tax is 5-10% and from what I understand, not all states collect sales tax from Steam sales, California and Florida do not, from what I've read.

VAT is thief in my opinion. I already pay enough in taxes and yet my government wants more from the things I buy.

I wouldn't mind as much if my taxes were being spend on good things like cleaning up the streets, better health, better education, better roads etc.... but as it stand in the UK, our streets are full of trash, drugs, crimes, run down area's... our people are struggling with high prices, our roads are a mess, we paying for the green scam, we have a ever growing homeless, drug, crime problems and yet we have money to give 3rd world nations while our own go without.

And I work 50 hours a week while some un-productive lay about does nothing and gets free house, benefits etc.... we serious need trump