Charles Tyrwhitt and conversion rate disparity?

[knittieguy]

Has anyone else noticed a disparity in the conversion rates and pricing at CT? For instance, if you select UK pounds in order to order these shoes
http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/p/gbpdefau...nned=&browse=Y

the price is 159 pounds, the equivalent of $226 according to XE currency converter, whereas if you select US currency for these shoes

http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/p/usddefau...nned=&browse=Y

the price is $299. Furthermore, the UK price includes VAT, which would get deducted, while it is not clear if the American price would be reduced. Shipping is about $3 more if you order in UK currency.

Of course, if you order in pounds, you will get charged a currency conversion fee on most credit cards (although not on Capital One) but even a 3% conversion fee would not make up the price difference.

 

[Ich_Dien]

Quite a lot of British sites are fairly similar, for example Swaine Adeney Brigg or New & Lingwood. Your best bet is to get a proxy to do the service for you if you want to purchase any of their goods.

 

[butkusrules]

good catch. I wonder if you call they would give you the actual exchange rate?

Edit : I was thinking about scoring a couple of the shirts, I sent them an email about matching the exchange rate. I was promised a response in 24hrs. Will post response.

 

[Get Smart]

I've been experiencing the same thing with Paul Smith

recently bought a shirt from Paul Smith UK online for $180 approx after shipping and VAT refund. The same shirt sells on the US site and local store for $270 + tax

also bought a pair of sunglasses for $340 shipped, if the local store even carried these they'd be around $540

and bought a pair of shoes for $280 shipped, the US site and local store sell for $475+tax


Huge disparities, and unfortunately it means my local B&M won't be getting a lot of my business this year because it's just too large of a price difference. Add to the fact that in my case Paul Smith ships 1 day International so I get it immediately.

But with the current exchange rate you definitely get some good prices ordering from UK

 

[whiteslashasian]

TM Lewin keeps it all in GBP so you don't get hosed like you would from CT.

A proxy works though, small service fee + additional shipping cost from the proxy.

*EDIT* I believe TM Lewin's sale is through this weekend. After the removal of VAT, coupon code, shipping, and conversion, it comes out to around $26 per shirt. I have to get the sides taken in on their Slim Fit line so add another $10-15 on that and that's still a reasonably priced serviceable shirt.

 

[butkusrules]

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

TM Lewin keeps it all in GBP so you don't get hosed like you would from CT.

A proxy works though, small service fee + additional shipping cost from the proxy.

*EDIT* I believe TM Lewin's sale is through this weekend. After the removal of VAT, coupon code, shipping, and conversion, it comes out to around $26 per shirt. I have to get the sides taken in on their Slim Fit line so add another $10-15 on that and that's still a reasonably priced serviceable shirt.



What coupon code?

 

[Narciso]

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

TM Lewin keeps it all in GBP so you don't get hosed like you would from CT.

A proxy works though, small service fee + additional shipping cost from the proxy.

*EDIT* I believe TM Lewin's sale is through this weekend. After the removal of VAT, coupon code, shipping, and conversion, it comes out to around $26 per shirt. I have to get the sides taken in on their Slim Fit line so add another $10-15 on that and that's still a reasonably priced serviceable shirt.

That's a pretty sweet price. I like how they offer a sleeve asjustment on the site. How's the slim fit vs the regular fit? I have a fairly average-athletic build and doubt I would need anything taken in further.

 

[bigbris1]

I passed the Tyrwhitt store on 7th yesterday & the window signs say "50% OFF EVERYTHING"

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by butkusrules

What coupon code?

Someone requested one here a week or so ago, not sure if it still works:

11sur1

They're definitely a bit more slim than most offerings, however I have an 8-9" drop from chest to waist along with a 16.5in neck so I almost always have to take in my shirts, unless it's MTM.

I have 4 other TM Lewin shirts that I'm pretty happy with. Good value imo. I'm going to give Jantzen a try in the next few weeks though.

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by bigbris1

I passed the Tyrwhitt store on 7th yesterday & the window signs say "50% OFF EVERYTHING"
That comes out to $60-70 for their lowest range shirts...or 4 for $199. I was not terribly impressed at the price point.

 

[CharlesAlexander]

TM Lewin is great, I got a couple shirt from them last week for about 25 usd each. Great quality for the price, hell great quality for 3 times that price IMO.

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by CharlesAlexander

TM Lewin is great, I got a couple shirt from them last week for about 25 usd each. Great quality for the price, hell great quality for 3 times that price IMO.

There you have it folks, the great Charles Alexander himself praising the wares of TM Lewin!

I think I might pull the trigger on some more spring/summer patterned shirts...Waiting the 1-2 weeks for delivery is a bit annoying though.

 

[marin]

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

TM Lewin keeps it all in GBP so you don't get hosed like you would from CT. A proxy works though, small service fee + additional shipping cost from the proxy. *EDIT* I believe TM Lewin's sale is through this weekend. After the removal of VAT, coupon code, shipping, and conversion, it comes out to around $26 per shirt. I have to get the sides taken in on their Slim Fit line so add another $10-15 on that and that's still a reasonably priced serviceable shirt.
No need for a proxy. I have ordered from CT's UK site to obtain the price in GBP. Even after including international shipping (IIRC, GBP 8 to US) the savings over purchasing from the US site is significant. As the OP suggested, use a credit card that doesn't charge the currency conversion fee.

 

[CharlesAlexander]

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

There you have it folks, the great Charles Alexander himself praising the wares of TM Lewin!

I think I might pull the trigger on some more spring/summer patterned shirts...Waiting the 1-2 weeks for delivery is a bit annoying though.

ha, ha, I do really think TM Lewin is underrated. The fit, styling and quality of their shirts is better then most brands that charge twice what they do (especially Tyrwitt). Plus their customer service is excellent.

That being said, the wait is a pain.

 

[Doc4]

I always just order from the UK website in GBP. Do orders originating from computers in the USA automatically get rerouted to the US$ version of their website?

... come to think of it, I remember now a thread a few weeks or months ago about a guy complaining of getting 'hosed' by CT on the exchange rate when he did a return ... he got back fewer dollars than he spent originally since the GBP had fallen in the meantime relative to the US$, but I forget if he placed his original order in US$ or GBP.

Originally Posted by bigbris1

I passed the Tyrwhitt store on 7th yesterday & the window signs say "50% OFF EVERYTHING"

Ah, so they're at normal pricing for now, eh?