Australia & EU Region Subscription Costs

[ToraFomalhaut]

Hello there,

As far as I can see if you fall under the EU classification of FFXIV's regions, there seems to be two currencies for that version of the game, the GBP and the Euro.

Being in Australia, I can't help but wonder why there isn't a set AUD subscription fee, as having to pay in either GBP or Euro's means we'll be subject to fluctuating conversion rates, instead of having a guaranteed monthly price.

Further more, why is it we are defaulted to Euro's then if choosing to pay by credit card? If you're going to make us pay in a non native currency could you please not default us to the more expensive one to convert to. For example currently:

8.99 GBP = 15.55 AUD

while

12.99 Euro = 19.26 AUD

Forcing me to pay in Euro's means the game is needlessly costing me an additional $3.71 a month or roughly 44.52 a year (depending on our dollar value at the time).

Please either consider setting a set AUD price or allowing us to choose which EU region currency we pay in as I'm currently feeling a little ripped off.

Thank you kindly for taking the time to listen to my concerns.

Edit: Additionally friends in Singapore and New Zealand suffer the same issue when converting to the Euro instead of the GBP.

Sinagpore:
8.99 GBP = 17.95 SGD
12.99 Euro = 22.22 SGD

New Zealand:
8.99 GBP = 17.96 NZD
12.99 Euro = 22.23 NZD

If you look at the conversion rates from the available subscription costs into the yen (JPY) it is as follows:

1480 JPY is the standard 30 day subscription fee for Japan.
(taken from here: http://jp.finalfantasyxiv.com/pr/product/)

8.99 GBP = 1417.97 JPY
12.99 EUR = 1731.90 JPY
14.99 USD = 1502.60 JPY

(taken from current conversion rates, I'm aware it will fluctuate)

It becomes quite apparent why they would go out of their way to make as many people to pay in Euros as possible. While GBP and USD are reasonably close to the monthly JPY subscription cost, everyone else using the Euro is paying more to play a month.

So not only on top of the higher conversion cost from currencies like the AUD, NZD and SGD to the EUR, you are also being charged more per month to play the game than other people fortunate enough to be using an account that can pay in GBP or USD.

Is it ethical? I'm not sure it really depends on the reasoning behind the increased costs. Maybe it has to do with local taxes? But even so, it does seem like they've gone out of their way to try and get the subscription costs as close as possible for currencies other than the EUR.

Ultimately, I personally agree. If you're going to be made to pay in a currency that isn't your own, then you should be able to pick from those available so you can at least pick the cheapest to convert to.

No worries that's fine. If you dig a bit further and look at the AUD to JPY conversions it's even more intresting.

8.99 GBP as you said is roughly 15.55 AUD which in turn is equal to roughly 1448.37 JPY. So it's a closer translation of the AUD to the base JPY cost of 1480 per month. Instead of being forced to pay the 19.96 AUD for converting to 12.99 EUR, which then equals 1793.93 JPY. In a prettier and easier to understand format (I hope):

8.99 GBP : 15.55 AUD : 1448.37 JPY
while
12.99 EUR : 19.96 AUD : 1793:93 JPY

For your Singaporean and New Zealand friends:

8.99 GBP : 17.95 SGD : 1418.79 JPY
12.99 EUR : 22.22 SGD : 1756.30 JPY

8.99 GBP : 17.96 NZD : 1448.89 JPY
12.99 EUR : 22.23 NZD : 1798.60 JPY

This is interesting, and if a dev could help all us non economists understand the reasoning behind the higher subscription costs as well as the reasoning behind players with a non native subscription cost being unable to select the currency we pay in it would be ever so greatly appreciated.

Once again thank you kindly for taking the time to look at this.

[raheem]

Agreed, this needs to be addressed. Forcing anyone to use Euro over GBP is ridiculous.

[khovel]

is there a set fee for the Crysta, or is that in Euro/GBP as well?

[Canniballistic]

Further more, why is it we are defaulted to Euro

Agreed, this needs to be addressed. Forcing anyone to use Euro over GBP is ridiculous.

Which is it? Do we have the option or not?

[Sorbet]

is there a set fee for the Crysta, or is that in Euro/GBP as well?

Euros only for Crysta as well.

[Canniballistic]

"*100 Crysta cost ￡1.00 or €1.00."

I think you guys are over reacting. They are listing two separate prices for the same product so they would be offering the option to purchase in either currency.

Prices are also changing so they may not even be finalized yet.

[Sorbet]

"*100 Crysta cost ￡1.00 or €1.00."

I think you guys are over reacting. They are listing two separate prices for the same product so they would be offering the option to purchase in either currency.

Prices are also changing so they may not even be finalized yet.

When subscribing to FFXI and FFXIV via credit card and when purchasing Crysta from Australia, you are only permitted to pay in euros. It's been this way for years, but not always.

[Canniballistic]

When subscribing to FFXI and FFXIV via credit card and when purchasing Crysta from Australia, you are only permitted to pay in euros. It's been this way for years, but not always.

You could kick up a fair trade complaint than as they are advertising the same product for two separate prices (one would think at least). Otherwise theres the small consolation of still paying $20 for 30* days and not paying the conversion fees by buying from EB.
I would wait until you start using up your free time after release before worrying too much.

[HumsterMKX]

I don't really understand why can't all be flat USD... Need 3 different currencies

[oleum]

Cant you buy a game time card in your local currency. Or from either US or UK game store?