Originally Posted by
SocialAdept
OP: IKEA-furnishing is not a good price-indicator/index because different items can be cheaper/more expensive without any (to the consumer) logic.
The Big Mac index is generally a better indicator:
# Norway - USD 5.79
# Sweden - USD 4.58
http://www.economist.com/finance/dis...ry_id=11793125
For the McDonald's example, raw material costs may vary between markets. IKEA's wholesale division sells to each country at the same price, with the only difference, I believe to be freight. But again, the prices were set in the first quarter (or so) of a year to be in effect from August to the following July.
OP- BTW, that desk is neat, but the motor can be a problem. Save your receipt. The same desk was discontinued in 2002 or 2003. Almost got one because it was so cheap, but really had no use for it Reason won.