The Price Difference Between American & European Spraypaint
One thing that I still can not figure out is the price difference between American and European brands of spraypaint. You would think that a product made in it’s home country would be significantly cheaper than a European brand that was made overseas, packed in a shipping container, then sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to get to the USA.
Maybe, or perhaps probably because manufacturers and distributors are more greedy over here in the states but greed knows no boundaries as we all know. Take a look at Rustoleum and, for argument’s sake Montana Colors. Rustoleum was started in 1921 and have manufacturing locations in the United States, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and California. They also have manufacturing sites on every continent except Antarctica. So from a business perspective you would think that with manufacturing facilities in so many states and continents their price per can would be alot cheaper than the current prices, which range between $6.99 for the Stops Rust range upwards of $12.99 for the 2X Painter’s Touch range that big box stores like Home Depot & Lowes charge.
Then we have MTN Colors (Spanish Montana), which was created in 1994 in Barcelona, Spain. The last time I checked, all Montana Colors spraypaint products are produced in two plants in the Barcelona area: Esparreguera and Sant Vicenç de Castellet. Besides being sold widely throughout Europe, they ship to other countries globally and their prices remain the same for the most part. I personally sold MTN from 2006 until 2020 and the wholesale price went up $0.20 in all that time. The cans remain the same price for the most part depending on each individual shop’s pricing, which is usually between $6.00 and $8.00. Their wholesale price has barely moved at all the decade-plus that I bought & sold their products. How can that be if they have to pack 50,000-60,000 cans per month into a shipping container then on a container ship that takes a month to get to the USA? Europe also has a VAT tax that varies from country to country in the European Union so keep that in mind as well.
Now the relative cost of spray paint in the United States compared to Europe can be influenced by several factors, including manufacturing and distribution costs, regulatory requirements, market dynamics, and currency exchange rates. Here are some potential reasons why American spray paint may be more expensive than European spray paint:
Manufacturing and Labor Costs: The cost of producing spray paint can vary significantly depending on the location of manufacturing facilities and labor costs in that region. If manufacturing and labor costs are higher in the United States compared to Europe, it could contribute to higher prices for American-made spray paint.
Regulatory Requirements: Different countries and regions have varying regulatory requirements and standards for the production and sale of spray paint. These regulations can affect the cost of production, as companies may need to invest in compliance measures, testing, and certifications, which can add to the overall cost.
Import and Distribution Costs: Importing and distributing products from one region to another can involve additional expenses, including transportation costs, customs duties, and taxes. These costs can vary depending on trade agreements, logistics, and distribution networks.
Market Demand and Competition: Market demand and competition can influence pricing. If there is a higher demand for spray paint in the United States or if the market is less competitive, manufacturers may have more pricing flexibility.
Exchange Rates: Fluctuations in currency exchange rates can impact the cost of imported products. If the U.S. dollar is stronger than the euro, it can make European products relatively cheaper when converted into dollars.
Brand and Product Quality: The brand, reputation, and perceived quality of a spray paint product can also affect its price. Premium brands or products with specific features may command higher prices regardless of their origin.
Taxes and Tariffs: Taxation policies and import tariffs can vary between countries and can affect the final retail price of products. Differences in tax rates and trade agreements can lead to price disparities.
It’s important to note that the relative cost of spray paint can vary within both the United States and Europe, depending on factors such as location, brand, and specific product features. Consumers may also find variations in pricing due to sales promotions, discounts, and local market conditions.
To get a more precise understanding of why a particular brand or type of spray paint is more expensive in one region compared to another, it may be necessary to examine specific market and economic factors, as well as the pricing strategies of manufacturers and distributors.
Brands of spraypaint from Europe far surpass the quality of American brands. The lower pricing, about half on most brands, the large color selection of between 120-250 colors depending on brand and range, and cap compatibility. On the US-made brands all the cans have the female caps that you’re pretty much stuck with. And the new cap that Rustoleum makes, similar to a garden hose that is supposed to spray five different widths but pretty much just sprays one size stream of paint from what I hear from other writers.
So the questions remains: why is spraypaint that’s made in America 2 to 3 times the cost of spraypaint that is made in Europe? Also keep in mind these European brands have to pay for packing, shipping, import/export taxes, VAT (Value Added Tax) Tax, and the cost of materials to (pallets, etc.) to ship to other countries. Maybe the US brands are just greedy as hell like everyone else in this country. Maybe that’s why everybody racks them cans and pays for Montana, Loop, Molotow, etc.
I’s a damn shame too because the old Rusto and Borden-stock Krylon colors are not only classics, but a huge part of graffiti as a culture. To see the tools that created a worldwide art movement deteriorate over the years kinda sucks. Then again, both, or all American brands, are quite capable of producing “fancy paint” for artists & writers but they choose not to. The amount of money they would make is only left to the imagination. You already know vandals everywhere would lose their minds if Rusto & Krylon started putting out the same formula that had in the 70’s and 80’s.
Just a little something to think about.
