If you live in Norway or the UK, this 20 bucks off and 'free' shipping doesn't translate into a reasonable deal at all. Sellers registered in the EU, including Anton Paar, are supposed to deduct local VAT (20% usually) when they
export products out of the EU. E.g., to private buyers in the UK and Norway, who then pay VAT to their own tax authority. (Fact-check EU rules on VAT exemption, if you want to argue with yourself.) The handling fees charged by international shipping firms, like DHL, are an opportunistic scam, too. They fleeced me out of more than 25 quids worth of NOK for the 'pleasure' of billing me the Norway VAT I owed
A simple automated system billing importers local VAT doesn't justify conning customers who've already paid for (or have been offered 'free') shipping services. You shouldn't have to pay VAT
twice and hidden shipping fees not included
transparently at time of purchase are questionable. An EasyDens digital hydrometer, without any sales deal, weighs in at about £248/€289 (excluding VAT) in today's money, so, if you're in the UK or Norway, you're getting robbed at the outset.
Edit: Hats off to Anton Paar for cushioning the blow of my additional costs. They generously offered me an EasyDens Care: 2 Year Plan as compensation. Great customer service. Glad I didn't have to return the EasyDens for a refund, to be honest. I'm yet to challenge it with a range of prepared sugar solutions, but my initial thoughts are very good. It really does look and feel like a genuine high-end instrument. Definitely a professional grade instrument. Hence the relatively high price.