Unified currency

Since tomorrow is the deadline for free-play, I decided to fix up all the account settings and start paying for this game.

As stated on Lodestone, the fee would be $6,99 for a month plus $3,00 for the character, making it $9,99. So I hit reactivate and it tells me I'm going to pay €9,99 for a month... what gives?

Last time I checked 1 USD equals about 0.75 EUR, so that means I'm going to have to pay 25% more for the same thing. It seems to be the same for the British subscribers, since GBP is currently valued about the same as the Euro.

All this also applies to buying Crysta, so I went to the last option, the Ultimate Game Card. Going to their website you can buy game cards for $11 or $21. When I try to buy Crysta it will still charge me in EUR with the flawed exchange rate of 1:1.
To make it even more interesting, we're allowed to pick more options to pay with. Let's click on 'Ultimate Game Card' and presto, the price changes to $67,10. So $1 = €1, but €1 = $0,74!

Can someone please attempt to explain this logic? Is it that hard to just charge everything in a single currency and have the customer's credit card handle the exchange rate?

Another SE'ism. That is really all I can say. Any other company would have their act together on this. It is unreal.

Other companies like Blizzard charging US players 12,99$ and European players 12.99 euros?

Currencies fluctuates all the time. Im pretty happy being from Norway since NOK is very strong against Euro and USD. If they charged in NoKs, it would probably be 199Nok pr month and not 72 as it is now from paying 9.99euro, or 12.99 since i pay for 2 characters total. :)

If I buy something from US, i pay in USD, I order from UK its £, Japan its Yen.

Do you check every single thing you buy in the store to see if the exchange rate is the same? Prices would be changing all the time.

That's standard practice unfortunately, here in Australia we pay $80-$90 for something that is $60 in US store, everywhere, include Steam. And for FFXIV, we also pay in EUR instead of Dollars. At least you can buy Crysta, Australia doesn't have that option.

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Originally Posted by Answa

Do you check every single thing you buy in the store to see if the exchange rate is the same? Prices would be changing all the time.

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They change all the time but not nearly as much as you seem to think. Well, that kind of stability may be coming to an end as soon as this year (and the EURUSD rate already took quite the beating last year), but seriously, the exchange rate hasn't been 1:1 since early 2003 and in 2008 it was as high as 1.6:1.

I life in Europe and yes it sucks but that's how things are, EVERYONE does it no matter what business.

For example the psvita that comes out soon, America pays 299 dollar Europe pays 299 euro
In case that you don't know the current exchange rate: we pay 382 dollar FOR THE SAME DAMN THING!

is it a ripoff that makes me grind my teeth? of course!
can we do anything about it? nope, since the whole global market just works that way, it is a common practice
you could only not buy it at all which would be your loss in the end if you want the product or try to import which is a hassle and in the most cases only nets you a minimal discount after shipping costs and the retainer that will happily stuff his pocket with your money because they know its the only way for you and exploit that.
you just cant demand SE to not do it as only company, that's just wishful thinking

I'm sorry but your physical goods store comparison doesn't work here. They have factors like shipping increasing the price. If I were to buy something in the US, I'd have to pay for shipping which usually ends up about the same price you can buy it locally.

The product FFXIV is granting you the ability to connect to a server in Japan. That works exactly the same for the entire world. If we got localized servers with low ping I could understand a different payment value. Since this is not the case I do not understand. Please explain to me where the extra 25% costs come from.

If I really try hard to be the advocate of the devil: I pay more for a product with less performance (higher ping)

You'd have to ask the governments of the nations to utilize a universal currency, otherwise as said earlier in the thread, it happens with any business that deals in international customers whether online or brick and mortar -- Some convert your currency into theirs or "translate" the prices, and I guarantee if I go with a European web host while living in Japan they'll try to charge me in (insert european currency) which would be (insert exchange rate in my currency.)

the physical good comparison might be a bad example here but that doesn't change that it is still common practice that you cant fight, Steam, PSN, Xboxlive, and so on do the exact same thing because they can
and they will continue to do so because hey its free money, and who doesn't like free money

The thing is, those services advertise with exactly the currency you will be paying. On lodestone I'm being told I pay $9,99 for 1 month of subscribing, yet I have to pay €9,99 when I arrive at the payment screen. That is false advertising right there.

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Originally Posted by MakiMakaa

The thing is, those services advertise with exactly the currency you will be paying. On lodestone I'm being told I pay $9,99 for 1 month of subscribing, yet I have to pay €9,99 when I arrive at the payment screen. That is false advertising right there.

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Not exactly, I believe it was stated to be an error if it displays USD for european users with all proper settings in place, the SE account system information is the correct information (where you actually do payments.)

I must have missed such announcement. Would you have a link to said post?
When I go to lodestone they still link to the (wrong?) post where it tells me it's $9,99.

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Originally Posted by captainpicard

Another SE'ism. That is really all I can say. Any other company would have their act together on this. It is unreal.

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Originally Posted by TonyMontana

Hi SE dropped the ball on something important to customers. It wont be the last time and it certainly isnt the first.

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Now I am okay if people have issues with aspects of the game. I am okay if people have issues with particular aspect of the game. What I take issue with is when people display blatent stupidity in this manner and attempt to make it appear as if they way SE is chargeing is unique to them and them alone. I would like to think these two are not stupid enough to belive that is the case.

To everyone else attepting to make an issue of the fees from, for example Europe to the US, none of you are making sense.

What is your income as an individual in Europe? What would that income be in the US for the exact same job? Does and individual in the US doing your job make more then you if you include the exchange rate?

You have no idea what the income differential is on average do you?

Your not paid in US dollars, but you want to pay for things in US dollars?

All of you folks want to talk about exchange rates on the price, but not the individual income, tax rate, or everything else that factors in?

If I pay more taxes then those in Europe, then I get a discount based on the percentage variable of the various rates of tax right? And I get that tax related discount off of the lowest echange rate value on the market amount all of the currence SE accepts right?

No, because various laws for there billing vary from country to country, but you guys fail to aknowledge that, or take it into account in your flawed attept to use this as some lame attempt to save a sterling.

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Originally Posted by MariyaShidou

That's standard practice unfortunately, here in Australia we pay $80-$90 for something that is $60 in US store, everywhere, include Steam. And for FFXIV, we also pay in EUR instead of Dollars. At least you can buy Crysta, Australia doesn't have that option.

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Yes Australia and New Zealand get it strangely bad. We are closer to the US and Asia yet we pay the Europe rate. Its not like this is a physical product with logistical issues. The NZ and AU dollars are looking good against the US at the moment as well. I wonder what the Asia rate is.

When purchasing crysta from SE via paypal, the SE portal sends you to your local branch, so you pay in the local currency - Euro.

But the Ultimate Gamer Card seems available to you, and that's only available as an import online, which you do, and pay in the imported US$.

That's how your currency changed. I like how you found a way around that one.


On the Australia/NZ topic, the reason we are grouped with Europe is historic - we shared the PAL television frequencies of 50Hz, so in the old days our TV sets and applicable media (video games, video tapes, etc) were not compatible with the USA and Japan. That's why we were with Europe.

Of course with the rise of digital TV, the difference has become rather moot as both TVs and Consoles manage both types of signal now. Why don't they align AU/NZ with the US then? A very good question.

Well America is the #1 country in the world so it makes sense that we pay the least.

Basically they have to set a price because exchange rates are in flux all the time. Someone is going to have a higher price because of this. They don't want to have to go through and recalculate their monthly fee every time the exchange rates with various countries change.

Sadly, a universal world currency doesn't seem likely to happen, not anytime soon at least.

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/1...lobalcurrency/

this is just how everything is in the EU, they get screwed over on prices on the majority of imported products.

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Originally Posted by Eruantien

this is just how everything is in the EU, they get screwed over on prices on the majority of imported products.

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But for that they get better export prices. Australia, with it's strong currency, is having the opposite problem.

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Originally Posted by Catapult

But for that they get better export prices. Australia, with it's strong currency, is having the opposite problem.

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indeed as a supplier its great, as a consumer it sucks, I am just pointing out that its not SE its just the worlds economy working as its been set out.

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Originally Posted by Eruantien

indeed as a supplier its great, as a consumer it sucks, I am just pointing out that its not SE its just the worlds economy working as its been set out.

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Yep, and for things to improve it would require fundamental changes to international monetary policy. But if anything, policy is moving in the opposite direction right now... >_>

you forget to mention your high eu taxes and youre not exchanging eur/usd youre exchanging eur/jpy

Maki,

What they are doing is against the international law of one price, and if it is not fixed soon, it would not surprise me, if they will have a major class action law suit against them for this. I have always loved SE's Final Fantasy products and been a loyal customer since 1988, so for their own sake, I hope they fix it. Here is the quote and the link to where more information about this law can be found, or you guys can conduct your own Google search about this matter.

http://www.wwnorton.com/college/econ...9/summary.aspx

The law of one price implies that the exchange rate times the domestic price must equal the foreign price.
Units on the exchange rate are foreign currency per domestic currency.

Kind Regards,
Silent Weapon (www.illuminati.guildwork.com)

GBP is not also valued at a 1:1 ratio, they say on lodestone old basic service fee is £6.89/EUR 9.99 and one character is £2.10/EUR 3.00.

Discount is £4.79/EUR 6.99 and one character is £2.10/EUR 3.00 (KB has no euro sign, everyone fight brussles)

that makes £6.89 or EUR 9.99, because of how strong the GBP is against the euro and dollar.

I would imagine the current problems in the eurozone are to blame, if they can solve the problems and recover it will even out so europe and US are paying the same (thats a big IF, because we dont wanna bring our currency down helping the eurozone)

If they went by the same exchange rates they would have to change the price every month because of the nature of the stock market.

here is the image off the EU lodestone showing GBP and EUR are not on 1:1, I know EUR and USD are though

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/a...rice0105GB.png


EDIT: current exhange rate makes
9.99 EUR = 977.874 JPY
9.99 USD = 768.980 JPY
6.89 GBP = 818.156 JPY

Enjoy your cheap game US ppl (i'm in UK btw)

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Originally Posted by Silentweapon

Maki,

What they are doing is against the international law of one price, and if it is not fixed soon, it would not surprise me, if they will have a major class action law suit against them for this. I have always loved SE's Final Fantasy products and been a loyal customer since 1988, so for their own sake, I hope they fix it. Here is the quote and the link to where more information about this law can be found, or you guys can conduct your own Google search about this matter.

http://www.wwnorton.com/college/econ...9/summary.aspx

The law of one price implies that the exchange rate times the domestic price must equal the foreign price.
Units on the exchange rate are foreign currency per domestic currency.

Kind Regards,
Silent Weapon (www.illuminati.guildwork.com)

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This would be the case if she is importing from the United States of America, but since her SE account has set her up to engage in a local transaction, the principles of international trade and exchange no longer apply. Prices are then set by local market accounting decisions with respect to the local consumer.

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Originally Posted by Silentweapon

Maki,

What they are doing is against the international law of one price, and if it is not fixed soon, it would not surprise me, if they will have a major class action law suit against them for this. I have always loved SE's Final Fantasy products and been a loyal customer since 1988, so for their own sake, I hope they fix it. Here is the quote and the link to where more information about this law can be found, or you guys can conduct your own Google search about this matter.

http://www.wwnorton.com/college/econ...9/summary.aspx

The law of one price implies that the exchange rate times the domestic price must equal the foreign price.
Units on the exchange rate are foreign currency per domestic currency.

Kind Regards,
Silent Weapon (www.illuminati.guildwork.com)

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It would help if you understood what you are posting. This in no way ties to what is going on here. What is happening is crap and nobody will deny that, but because there are no laws on digital access rights, the companies like SE and other online access services can get away with it.

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Originally Posted by Eunys

It would help if you understood what you are posting. This in no way ties to what is going on here. What is happening is crap and nobody will deny that, but because there are no laws on digital access rights, the companies like SE and other online access services can get away with it.

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Americans dont think its crap because as I posted earlier they are infact paying less (when converted into yen, which is the ultimate currency SE uses for the game because it is based in Japan)

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Originally Posted by Delsus

Americans dont think its crap because as I posted earlier they are infact paying less (when converted into yen, which is the ultimate currency SE uses for the game because it is based in Japan)

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Yawn... Taking a few individuals, and associating them with all Americans.

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Originally Posted by Eunys

Yawn... Taking a few individuals, and associating them with all Americans.

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9.99 EUR = 977.874 JPY
9.99 USD = 768.980 JPY
6.89 GBP = 818.156 JPY

Exchange rates for the 3 currencies talked about, you think someone would be upset they are paying less? when you go to a shop and a shelf says something costs say £2, and you get it for £1 you complain????

I know I wouldnt.

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Originally Posted by Delsus

9.99 EUR = 977.874 JPY
9.99 USD = 768.980 JPY
6.89 GBP = 818.156 JPY

Exchange rates for the 3 currencies talked about, you think someone would be upset they are paying less? when you go to a shop and a shelf says something costs say £2, and you get it for £1 you complain????

I know I wouldnt.

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EU paying more then NA customers =/= NA getting a discount. It means people in the EU are being overcharged. So yes it's perfectly reasonable for people in the USA to feel bad for EU players. Get off your high horse with the whole Americans are this Americans are that. Your turned an issue of SE ramming it up your rear into a problem with the US players? Pretty retarded I'd say.

To prove your whole Americans are happy with EU paying more BS, I am American and I do find it very wrong that this is a common practice within the Online Gaming Community. Trying to play country vs country won't fix anything, for that you have to call your government representatives and pressure them to intervene in this issue.

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Originally Posted by Eunys

EU paying more then NA customers =/= NA getting a discount. It means people in the EU are being overcharged. So yes it's perfectly reasonable for people in the USA to feel bad for EU players. Get off your high horse with the whole Americans are this Americans are that. Your turned an issue of SE ramming it up your rear into a problem with the US players? Pretty retarded I'd say.

To prove your whole Americans are happy with EU paying more BS, I am American and I do find it very wrong that this is a common practice within the Online Gaming Community. Trying to play country vs country won't fix anything, for that you have to call your government representatives and pressure them to intervene in this issue.

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No I know its a fact of life, the UK has a strong currency, so we pay more for alot of things take a PS3, if I can get one in US for $300 I am paying 1.5x more when I buy one in UK for £300, I am saying americans are effectively paying less for the same product when converted into Yen than EU (inc. UK) I arent complaining but wouldnt mind it changed, I just know most people would see it and say "Oh well I am paying less", and you are paying less because the money is converted to Yen by SE/ultimate pay/C&B etc and goes to thier head office so they get more money from EU than other places.

I am mearly stating a fact that americans are paying less, it has always been that way and always will be because the UK has about the strongest currency in the world, and probably will do for a long time. I'm just thankful they didnt do a 1:1 ratio because I would be paying 1,185.91 yen, a whopping 400 yen more which would be really bad.

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Originally Posted by Delsus

No I know its a fact of life, the UK has a strong currency, so we pay more for alot of things take a PS3, if I can get one in US for $300 I am paying 1.5x more when I buy one in UK for £300, I am saying americans are effectively paying less for the same product when converted into Yen than EU (inc. UK) I arent complaining but wouldnt mind it changed, I just know most people would see it and say "Oh well I am paying less", and you are paying less because the money is converted to Yen by SE/ultimate pay/C&B etc and goes to thier head office so they get more money from EU than other places.

I am mearly stating a fact that americans are paying less, it has always been that way and always will be because the UK has about the strongest currency in the world, and probably will do for a long time. I'm just thankful they didnt do a 1:1 ratio because I would be paying 1,185.91 yen, a whopping 400 yen more which would be really bad.

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It is a lot more complicated than that. I would go into the boring economic reasons, but that counter intuitive to my and your time. You don't pay the same price we do on a lot of products. But generally, it is the same price as we pay, just reflected in your currency. The price difference on this game is barley noticeable.

You should find out if there is a tax being placed on this game that you don't know of that is increases your price. That isn't controllable by neither SE or America. Sorry you feel like Americans are pulling a **** move on you, but I ensure you; we are not doing anything conspiratorial towards you.

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Originally Posted by ApplePie

It is a lot more complicated than that. I would go into the boring economic reasons, but that counter intuitive to my and your time. You don't pay the same price we do on a lot of products. But generally, it is the same price as we pay, just reflected in your currency. The price difference on this game is barley noticeable.

You should find out if there is a tax being placed on this game that you don't know of that is increases your price. That isn't controllable by neither SE or America. Sorry you feel like Americans are pulling a **** move on you, but I ensure you; we are not doing anything conspiratorial towards you.

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I aren't saying anyone is doing anything, the exchange rate is why we pay more, and I know I pay VAT at 20% which puts the price up a bit,.but then there is the exchange rate which is the main reason, I said it before you are trying to twist my words making me look like the bad guy.

Exchange rates don't mean anything. You aren't paying in USD then JPY. Like I said, there is a reason why some places may pay more. Tariffs are a big reason some countries pay more. I would almost like to assume there is the "base" amount, the JPY as the standard for what they charge, and then SE adds on whatever it costs them to give the customer the service. There isn't any other plausible reason. It isn't like they throw darts on a board to figure out how much they are going to charge one currency over the other.

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Originally Posted by MakiMakaa

The thing is, those services advertise with exactly the currency you will be paying. On lodestone I'm being told I pay $9,99 for 1 month of subscribing, yet I have to pay €9,99 when I arrive at the payment screen. That is false advertising right there.

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I think this is because of how Lodestone does its language settings. Some browsers have "US English" as a separate option from "English" so if "US English" is higher priority voila lodestone acts like you are in the US.

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Originally Posted by Eunys

It would help if you understood what you are posting. This in no way ties to what is going on here. What is happening is crap and nobody will deny that, but because there are no laws on digital access rights, the companies like SE and other online access services can get away with it.

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Here is to help you understand :)

The fact of the matter is that he is quoted to pay in US $, not in Euros. If you have ever traveled abroad and used your credit card, you would obviously know that: There is always an option to pay in local currency or in you CC's home currency; the exchange rate is adjusted by your bank, and the CC processing company, based on the current exchange rates.
It's as simple as the following example: Let's say $1 US = 1 Euro, and you get quoted to pay $50,000 US in 5 month. Five months passes and in this example the Euro currency falls to $1 US = 0.5 Euro. The total amount you owe would be 100,000 Euro, if that's the currency you chose to pay with. No matter how you go about it you would still owe $50,000 US.
It's really simple and with elementary math should not be hard to understand. :)

trade's not unified so your not getting unified payments, untils all currency is equal or there a world currency every place uses.