🚀 go-pugleaf

I recently purchased a STE from a company here in the UK, but
have also noticed that the going price for my system in the States
is about half as much....
 
The main damage is done, but I am going to be in the market for
hard drives, printers, etc, and the more I look at the prices here,
the more flummoxed I get!
 
The typical 24 pin printer is about #259 (give or take a bit) which
translates to nearly $475!!!!!!!  Seems outrageous...especially
the hard drives, going price for 40megs is #350, which is nearly
$700 US!  
 
I know that the Atari ST market is supposed to be big in Europe,
especially Germany, so is it possible to purchase things from
the Continent without paying customs out the wazoo?
 
I am planning a trip to the us in about a year, should I save up all
my wants and get them then and just smuggle them back into the UK?
 
Is there ANY hope for someone like me, a student with a limited 
income and high computer aspirations?
 
I would appreciate replies from ANYONE who can help, here in the UK
or other wise...
 
Oh, software, there's a good one, the typical program like Word Perfect
goes for about #250 mail order, which is about $475...I don't think
that it can be that expensive in the States!!!  
 
Help!
 
Scott

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oops