Is it time to buy that brush from Europe?

I have two brushes on order from Europe and planned on purchasing 4 more from Europe and Great Britain. But is it time? I have been following the Euro for several years and generally make my purchases when the conversion rate is in my favor. However, now the prices I would have to pay is ridiculous. I have been using 169 € as a bench mark for about a year and a half. I purchased a few brushes when 169 € converted to $179. Today that same 169 € will cost you $195 thats a $16 increase. As you know Shavemac, Wiborg, BSB and others are priced in Euros. Going north to Great Britain where ₤ is used we see something similar. The Pound Sterling has also been creeping up. Today, a Simpsons Chubby 2 in best is priced at 128 ₤ which converts to $187. Both examples do not include VAT. Conclusion, it may be time to purchase a brush form Great Britain before it gets higher. But I would wait for the Euro to possibly drop. It looks as the Dollar has been devalued.

Interesting question! They are forecasting a general increase in Euro strength through September of calendar '16 [up net 5%] then a decline moving through calendar '17.

All signs point to Yes if you want to shave a couple of bucks in the short term. Still, in a relative sense not all that much of an impact but if the Euro hits $1.20 vs the $1.15 [USD] of today that 5% covers a portion of shipping.

Interesting question! They are forecasting a general increase in Euro strength through September of calendar '16 [up net 5%] then a decline moving through calendar '17.

All signs point to Yes if you want to shave a couple of bucks in the short term. Still, in a relative sense not all that much of an impact but if the Euro hits $1.20 vs the $1.15 [USD] of today that 5% covers a portion of shipping.

I agree but, those increases add up.  In addition to the increase of the Euro and the Pound Sterling are shipping fees, some of which are based on total purchase price.  But, now should be a good time for all of the emerging wet shave manufactures in the U.S. such as brush makers as well as soap and cream artisans.  Their businesses should experience an increase.

Yup. About a month ago it was 1 = 1.10, so it's up 5% pretty fast. Just goes to show what currency manipulation does to import-export. Your call on whether the Euro or the Dollar gets stronger in the short-term, my crystal ball is currently out for a rebuild.

Today my benchmark amount of 169€ converts to $190. Down $5 from when I wrote the thread. Might not mean that much to most but it may prove to some to follow the Euro before purchasing.

how does $5 make a difference when spending 200 on a brush? I don't understand mindset behind what you are saying, want awesome brush at awesome price look at RR, but don't split hairs and say 5 bucks makes all the difference when you spend 200 on a brush.

how does $5 make a difference when spending 200 on a brush? I don't understand mindset behind what you are saying, want awesome brush at awesome price look at RR, but don't split hairs and say 5 bucks makes all the difference when you spend 200 on a brush.

You are not getting the point. Obviously, if you are going to spend $100 or more on a brush $5 makes no difference at all. The point I am trying to make is that the Euro has a vast fluctuation rate often. It fluctuated $15 in the matter of months which could mean it could also fluctuate $30 or more in the same period. Nowhere have I said don't buy a good product if it costs $5 more or even $15 more. The thread was meant to be informative of what the Euro is doing compared to the Dollar, not to alert you of when and how to spend your money. The Euro affects the prices of many products you purchase from shaving mail order places when they renew their inventory as well as when you special order products such as brushes from European companies.

Interesting thread, but I don't buy brushes from Europe. I can get the same knot, say Shavemac, my favorite, and have Rudy Vey make me an awesome handle for it. Much cheaper for the same quality knot, which is all I care.

Interesting thread, but I don't buy brushes from Europe.  I can get the same knot, say Shavemac, my favorite, and have Rudy Vey make me an awesome handle for it.  Much cheaper for the same quality knot, which is all I care.

So far all of my brushes are either from Great Britain or Germany. I currently have two Wiborgs on order and plan on purchasing a brush from BSB in Spain. However, I can't wait for the new production of The Varlet. I have been looking at Rudy Vey's currently. Maybe in the near future you will discuss his brushes with me.

It wasn't that long ago that the rate was US$1.50 to €1.00, it's all relative.  Right now the US$ is still pretty strong, but as we approach the November elections there is no telling which way and how much the dollar will swing.

The one thing I have learned when buying products from other countries is to not fixate on the conversion rate.  If it seems like a good price to you in US$, just buy it.  The price may go down later, or it may go up.  But if the price works for you when you buy it, that's what matters.