Non-UK Retailers and Tax Evasion Discussions

[Stevieboy]

This is my first, and probably last, post. When a Romeo No2 costs ?3 from Geneva, and ?13 in Waitrose, something is horribly wrong with the country's taxation.

Amen to that amigo

....hang around, introduce yourself. Are you a regular cigar smoker yourself?

[Sligub]

I'm sorry but let's kick this crap that cigars in the UK are so expensive because of tax. The UK tax on a julieta no 2 is ?2.

[srbmsun]

I've just joined the forum and have been smoking Cubans for about 10 years now. I disagree that a Cohiba Robusto or any Siglo should be kept for special occasions, and would instead proffer that the act of lighting said cigar creates the special occasion. I would like to counter the claim that cigar prices in the UK are not expensive due to the tax structure, but to do so would involve probably breaking the rules set forth by the moderator. One need only look at the disparity in price points even amongst EU member states to know that something is amiss. I think we can all agree that Prince John would be happy with the price point, while Robin of Locksley would have a conniption fit.

[ValeTudoGuy]

I've just joined the forum and have been smoking Cubans for about 10 years now. I disagree that a Cohiba Robusto or any Siglo should be kept for special occasions, and would instead proffer that the act of lighting said cigar creates the special occasion.

There is something to be said that the right cigar can create the occasion, saying that I am guilty of saving my 'special' cigars for an occasions.

[ValeTudoGuy]

I'm sorry but let's kick this crap that cigars in the UK are so expensive because of tax. The UK tax on a julieta no 2 is ?2.

Interesting Ross, it's probably been covered before but is there a breakdown of a standard UK cigar costing?

I.E. What the retailer pays and what the consumer pays and what constitutes the difference?

[srbmsun]

Everyone of these taboos would make for a cracking jolly good on-going discussion!

[tippexx]

and what constitutes the difference?

Whatever the retailer want's it to be. As far as I'm aware unlike France, Germany and Spain where prices are Government fixed, there is no ceiling, there's probably a H&F RRP and the retailers are common sensed enough not to price themselves too far adrift or wide of the local competition. There is also probably a Cigar Retailers group and the occasional little chat amongst themselves about prices wouldn't be unexpected.

[Simon-JG-hr]

There is also probably a Cigar Retailers group and the occasional little chat amongst themselves about prices wouldn't be unexpected.

Steady on now tippexx... That's verging on libellous...

[SilentBOb]

A comparison I have noticed between two retailers suggests they don't fix/discuss prices. A box of ten Partie SD4's in is ?129 whilst in the other (both in Londonhas them for ?169. That is a massive difference for the consumer. The only reason I can think of this is that they both have different discounts from the supplier hence the price, they possibly both have the same margin but because one has a bigger discount from source they can pass this on.

Someone correct me if i have this completely arse about tit.

[Sligub]

Interesting Ross, it's probably been covered before but is there a breakdown of a standard UK cigar costing?

I.E. What the retailer pays and what the consumer pays and what constitutes the difference?

As Arf says it's a free market as far as retail goes (h&f however have a monopoly that they will defend).

We can speak about tax structures till the cows come home as long as you don't mention overseas sources or avoiding tax.

The UK duty on cigars is just over ?200 per kg ( which is very high I agree) but a robusto weighs aprox 12g so the duty is around ?2.50. How does that explain the ?10-15 difference between here and Spain?

[TJCoro]

That's Special!

...and would instead proffer that the act of lighting said [Cohiba] cigar creates the special occasion.

Hmmm, I seem to remember hearing a line like this before....I think it was in the movie "SideWays!"

I agree with you chico that a top shelf puro can, in itself, create a so-called "special occasion," but there are also times when a high-end puro can be wasted in a moment of uncertanity. On these occassions, I often choose a NC as not to waste a fine puro.

So like senor VDG, I more often than not save my very best puros for those special occassions, such as when senor serious finally reinstitutes Comet Chat.

Perro, el Perro

[monkey66]

Smoke em if you got em.

[monkey66]

As for rules feel free to discuss the mark up in the UK. H and f have a monolopy and price as they wish. They mark up very significantly. No like, no buy. This is not a political movement for the right to cheap uk cigars ☺

The only thing we don't discuss is anything that could be construed as conspiracy to evade tax by HMRC. This is the price we pay to be the only public cigar forum in Europe (I think).

[tippexx]

As Arf says it's a free market as far as retail goes (h&f however have a monopoly that they will defend).

We can speak about tax structures till the cows come home as long as you don't mention overseas sources or avoiding tax.

The UK duty on cigars is just over ?200 per kg ( which is very high I agree) but a robusto weighs aprox 12g so the duty is around ?2.50. How does that explain the ?10-15 difference between here and Spain?

One area where do have to be fair to our Retailers is in the overhead costs Ross. Retail Freehold is very rare in the UK, and the rental cost per sq metre are much, much higher than in Europe or the USA ... and that isn't just London, that's all over.

[Sligub]

One area where do have to be fair to our Retailers is in the overhead costs Ross. Retail Freehold is very rare in the UK, and the rental cost per sq metre are much, much higher than in Europe or the USA ... and that isn't just London, that's all over.

True Arf but most stores are more expensive than their respective website.