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Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Topic started by: merlinmagic on Saturday 22 December 12 03:33 GMT (UK)

Title: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: merlinmagic on Saturday 22 December 12 03:33 GMT (UK)
Has anyone taken any notice on how much ancestry costs in Australia. It is lot more more than they pay in England. I am looking at world wide subs and the cost in $450, in England 155 pounds.
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry.
Post by: andycand on Saturday 22 December 12 03:44 GMT (UK)
Hi

If you want a worldwide subscription then subscribe through the co.uk website and you will be charged the UK price in pounds, in fact it will be less than 155 pounds as that includes 20%? VAT which we don't pay.

Andy
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: fastfusion on Saturday 22 December 12 03:53 GMT (UK)
they is all thieving  sods.....   :'( 

Australians however enjoy the privilige of their Libraries having ancestry within the computer areas of larger libraries.

but  when one pays a subscription  one expects all the records to be on the site not split up between FindMyPast and the tyranny of others...... :'(
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: andycand on Saturday 22 December 12 04:08 GMT (UK)
they is all thieving  sods.....   :'( 

Australians however enjoy the privilige of their Libraries having ancestry within the computer areas of larger libraries.

but  when one pays a subscription  one expects all the records to be on the site not split up between FindMyPast and the tyranny of others...... :'(

I'm not sure what your issues are, if your local library doesn't subscribe to Ancestry then raise it with them, the libraries in Australia, England etc that have Ancestry access pay a subscription to do so. If you have a Latter Day Saints (Morman) Library near you they may have Ancestry access.

As far as records being split between sites is concerned then it is a matter of the commercial site entering into an agreement with the copyright holder of the relevant records and in many cases that becomes an exclusive agreement.

Andy
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: merlinmagic on Saturday 22 December 12 04:24 GMT (UK)
 Thank you for your replies, if I have to go to my local library and lds church it would take me a couple of hours, even with booking you only get an hour. Some of us do live in the country you know.
 Several years ago another researcher joined ancestry uk, which was much cheaper, but a few years ago they moved to to the au site and she was charged almost double. Unfortunately she could not continue.
I don't think Ancestry are sods, but I think there should be parity on price of subscriptions.
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: andycand on Saturday 22 December 12 05:01 GMT (UK)
Hi merlinmagic

I've been subscribing through the UK site for some years now, there are a number of reasons for the difference, firstly the exchange rate has changed dramatically over the last few years, it is not that long ago that 1 Australian dollar was worth 40 UK pence, now it is worth 64 UK pence, also we don't get charged VAT or GST, and then there is the traditional thought by overseas companies that Australians should pay more. But it is not just subscriptions, I've a book on its way from the UK, it is less than half the price than purchasing the same book here, and even if they started charging GST it wouldn't make much difference as it would stll be nearly twice as dear here.

Andy
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: merlinmagic on Saturday 22 December 12 05:16 GMT (UK)
Hi Any

I am aware of the exchange rate, back in the 1980's it was on 32-4 cents to the Pound.
I want to join ancestry, but there is a cost disparity. I will join the UK one and see what happens.
Thanks  for your comments.  Merry Christmas,  Merlinmagic
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: fastfusion on Saturday 22 December 12 06:42 GMT (UK)
"Issues"    nar not me....

the records of the public domain have long been the centre of debate.   The folk who went around microfilming them were trying to preserve them   that cost money  so one pays for use of the microfilms.   the buildings where the records are housed cost money to staff and maintain.....    the electronic age has come upon us and yes the archives are charging money for the licencing of reproduction....

me i am just a humble Wiltsaeta wanting to find my family like everyone else having to pay the usual costs    like everyone else.

being someone from UK living in Australia  I like everyone else whinge about costs,  and the variations between the pound and the dollar.... some years its fair rate and some years its not....
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: bkr188 on Saturday 29 December 12 01:57 GMT (UK)
Thank you for your replies, if I have to go to my local library and lds church it would take me a couple of hours, even with booking you only get an hour. Some of us do live in the country you know.
 Several years ago another researcher joined ancestry uk, which was much cheaper, but a few years ago they moved to to the au site and she was charged almost double. Unfortunately she could not continue.
I don't think Ancestry are sods, but I think there should be parity on price of subscriptions.

Hello,
If u r looking for material about Australian ancestors, the Aust. National Library has a good service, and you can search for free online.  I have never seen a Morman library in Australia.  Also, some local historical societies have access to English records and some states have their own genealogical societies to which u can subscribe and go to online ; much cheaper.  Not everyone understands the tyranny of distance within Australia and problems of access in the country. :oDare I say there r other online heritage sites besides Ancestry from which u may glean information.
bkr   
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: ellvera on Saturday 29 December 12 02:30 GMT (UK)
Has anyone taken any notice on how much ancestry costs in Australia. It is lot more more than they pay in England. I am looking at world wide subs and the cost in $450, in England 155 pounds.

Hi merlinmagic
I always do as Andy has suggested and get the UK sub in pounds - VAT.But I was just looking at the Australian site to compare prices and see they have an offer of an annual World Heritage sub for $299.88 for the first year only if you are a new subscriber.So that might be worth looking into
Barbara
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: smudwhisk on Sunday 30 December 12 01:15 GMT (UK)
If it's any consolation, the LDS charge £7.50 per film to view at the Family History Centres in the UK, yet from what I gather from a friend in Australia you are only charged the equivalent of about half of this amount and it is considerably cheaper elsewhere too.
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: joboy on Sunday 30 December 12 04:24 GMT (UK)
Note: the published price of a Worldwide subscription on Ancestry's UK website is £155.40, but that includes UK taxes. So long as you live outside the European Union you'll pay £135.13, as shown in the screenshot above - the actual price will, of course, be displayed before you complete your purchase.

At today's exchange rate that price equates to $210 (Australian), $218 (US), or $215 (Canadian), which is a substantial saving compared to the price you'd pay for exactly the same subscription (though with a slightly different name) at Ancestry.com.au, Ancestry.com, or Ancestry.ca! And although it says 'Initial Annual Membership Fee' it isn't a special offer price - renewals are charged at the same rate.
I would add that before I 'woke up 'to this I was facing a bill of around $450 Aus for this privilege
Joe
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: merlinmagic on Sunday 30 December 12 04:38 GMT (UK)
Hi
Exactly, why should we pay more than the rest of the world for using ancestry. My friend was a member of UK, but now she has to go through Australia. She is also a pensioner and will not be renewing.
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: andycand on Sunday 30 December 12 05:15 GMT (UK)
Hi
Exactly, why should we pay more than the rest of the world for using ancestry. My friend was a member of UK, but now she has to go through Australia. She is also a pensioner and will not be renewing.

Why does she have to go through Australia? I've been subscribed via the UK site for several years and my renewal notice is always in English pounds, yes, sometimes when you log on to Ancestry UK it tries to direct you to Ancestry AU but I simply switch back to UK.

Andy
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: Anneatki on Tuesday 15 April 14 12:02 BST (UK)
Just wondering if you can still pay via Ancestry UK? My subs ran out a couple of weeks ago, & today I was offered 20% off. That means a World subscription will cost me Aus$359.96.
I looked at Ancestry.co.uk & the cost is 155.40 British Pounds. Paying by credit card (or do they take Paypal?) I think it will cost me about $275 plus a conversion fee of about $9. So that should give me $85 to spend on Scotlandspeople ;D Anne
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: andycand on Tuesday 15 April 14 12:05 BST (UK)
Hi

I have always subscribed through Ancestry.uk paying by credit card. Usually it is even cheaper than 155.40 as they deduct VAT.

Andy
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: Anneatki on Tuesday 15 April 14 13:40 BST (UK)
Thanks Andy for reminding me about the VAT, even more savings!  Cheers, Anne
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: joboy on Thursday 24 April 14 09:00 BST (UK)
I did originally subscribe via a magazine called 'New Idea' by which means one would get 50% off for the first year ..... who would not grab such an offer ... of course it was for ancestry.com.au and when the ensuing year became due the cost was $450AUD which was a shock ........ I had to wait until the period was over then opted out of my subscription and took out a sub with UK where I got a much better deal.
My original post is now 'completed' but you might get it here;
Topic: Ancestry Deal with 'New Idea'
I would add that now my ancestry.com.au is now not used by me it remains there and is confusing me as to why it is there.
Joe
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: Anneatki on Thursday 24 April 14 11:01 BST (UK)
Well, today I got another offer, this time 'three months for free'. It says the price for World Heritage is usually aud$299.88 for 12 months, will now cost me $224.91!
Now, I know I'm getting old & forgetful (OH is constantly reminding me), but I'm sure nine days ago when I first posted, the usual price was aud$449.95.
Have they made a booboo? Maybe I'd better rush off and join now!  :D
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: bikermickau on Thursday 24 April 14 23:38 BST (UK)
I'm looking on Ancestry.au on my login and it says 12 months for AU $299.88 Save AU $299* for a World Heritage membership.

Mick
Title: Re: Cost of Ancestry for Australians
Post by: hsfam on Friday 25 April 14 01:14 BST (UK)
Well, today I got another offer, this time 'three months for free'. It says the price for World Heritage is usually aud$299.88 for 12 months, will now cost me $224.91!
Now, I know I'm getting old & forgetful (OH is constantly reminding me), but I'm sure nine days ago when I first posted, the usual price was aud$449.95.
Have they made a booboo? Maybe I'd better rush off and join now!  :D

Hmmm. I got the same email as well and you're right. The fine print says:

"Offer valid on purchases of annual UK Heritage, UK Heritage Plus, and World Heritage memberships only for one year at the special offer prices shown. Offer expires 11:59 p.m. Monday 28 April 2014 (AEST). Your membership will automatically renew at the end of each 12 month period and at that time your chosen method of payment will be charged AU $179.40 for UK Heritage, AU $215.40 for UK Heritage Plus and AU $299.88 for World Heritage, unless you are notified otherwise."

However, on the normal subscription page, it still has the AU $299.88 for the first 12 months reverting to the full price of $449.95 per year for World Heritage.

Maybe they did make a mistake, but notice they have qualified the offer with an "unless you are notified otherwise" so you still might find yourself paying the original full price.  ??? ::)