Price disparity US market vs EU market

[SunsetRunner]

So I have noticed that the Fitbit Sense is currently sold at 269.95 USD, while in Europe, and probably rest of the world, the price is 330 USD. I believe that is grossly unfair. Not every nation is as powerful and wealthy as the might USA. I live in an Eastern European country, how would Fitbit expect me to pay 60 USD more for this device? Yes, I received an argument that the price is influenced by tax and delivery taxes, but that is absurd. Most devices are shipped from an European country, maybe Netherlands or such. How much are the taxes? Why would the US be so privileged and get a better price? I live in a much poorer country, yet I still want the best for my health. I like Fitbit very much and I've been looking to upgrade from a charge 3 to Sense, but I found this price disparity and I'm outraged. I believe that every country should be entitled to the same price, not just the US. 

[Odyssey13]

Hi @SunsetRunner  I live in the USA and am curious. Are other products the same price in the USA, UK, Japan or any other country? The difference in monetary values fluctuates daily, which has always made a difference. I know people who used to shop in Canada when they could get items cheaper than they could in the US. Have you asked other companies about this? Apple? Samsung? Toyota? Honda? Do you pay more for Amazon Prime in your area than we do in the US? Sometimes there is just nothing we can do about the prices that are listed. Sorry this upsets you. 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @Odyssey13, I am not talking about the regular price disparity. But since you mentioned other products, yes, it so happens that for other brands, the prices tend to be the same across the markets. But in this case, I have noticed that the US is offered a discount of 60 USD for this particular device, while in the other regions it is kept at the regular, undiscounted price. I am highlighting this because I am interested to purchase the Fitbit Sense, but after I've seen the US-only offer, I'm not so inclined to buy it anymore. I think anyone would consider it is not quite fair and I would have expected Fitbit to be having the same offers, same discounts across the board. After all, we're all customers and whether your are in the US, Japan, or Serbia, you are esentially using the same smartwatch. 

[Odyssey13]

It's no different from Walmart in one city having different prices from another Walmart in a neighboring city. I asked a manager once why one store charged so much more than the other and was told that it was due to the region it was in. Regional prices vary and there isn't much anyone can do about it. You just happen to be in an area where you can't take advantage of the benefits of that discount. I'm sure discounts on cars, smartphones or computers wouldn't be much different. Sorry there isn't anything that can be done, but it's not unfair - it honestly is the nature of doing business on an international level.

[SunsetRunner]

That is not quite a relevant comparison. Big companies, such as Samsung, Apple and such tend to keep similar rates across US and Europe (can't pronounce for other regions). I would be able to buy a smartphone at a similar rate to the one across the pond, the only difference probably being the currency ( 899 USD vs 899 euros, which I get), but this Easter Sale discount that is currently available for US Market and nowhere else has a little discrimination in it. I get it there is no Easter anywhere else in the world, right? To me, it just seems the company is losing its values. Might be the Google purchase, who knows.

And I'm just wondering, are you a Fitbit employee /representative, @Odyssey13? 

[Odyssey13]

I'm just a Fitbit user, like most of the people on the forums, @SunsetRunner . As I said earlier, I was just curious.

[SunsetRunner]

OK, because you said that nothing can be done and it seemed like you are speaking on behalf of the company. I believe that we are all customers and should be able to have the possibility of special offers and discounts. I have personally never seen a discounted price on any of the products, not on Black Friday, Christmas or whatever. And I was pointing out that is concerning that this company chooses to favor one market over others. Other big companies don't really do that. I might be wrong and I wish somebody else from an European country to weigh in on this. Otherwise, this is my feedback towards Fitbit, that I am disappointed with this aspect. 

[JuanFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi @Odyssey13 , thank you for sharing your information and for your help. 

Hi @SunsetRunner , a warm welcome to the Community! Thank you very much for your comments and feedback. As you stated, prices may vary due the different taxes applied, according to the region. There are other factors, that might influence the differences. 

This happens with almos every item on the market. 

I'll be glad to forward your feedback to the right department please know that our team strives to improve our products and services based on the feedback shared by our members. Be sure that your comments won't be taken for granted. 

See you around.