Leica price increase reported at 15%

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eleskin

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Leica Rumors web site is reporting a 15% increase in the price of items sold In the USA. Now I really have that sinking Dollar feeling! I thought I heard Leica USA wanting to keep the M9 just under 7k or they may loose business here. Mercedes is keeping their prices lower here so they can still sell their products to people who would otherwise go to Lexus. I know one thing, My M8 is looking better every day in this economy, even to the point where I am thinking about buying an M8.2 used and wait for a used M9 in a year or so.
 
I've heard from a source who has spoken directly to Leica USA. There will be a price increase next year...
 
Hahah yeah. Pretty much everything made in Europe, specifically Germany. I was trying to assemble a Schoeps microphone setup a couple years ago, around 2004, and literally, every year, there was a sizable price increase due to the strengthening Euro. By about 2006 and 3 or 4 price raises, they were priced close to twice as much as they traditionally were. I can only imagine how much they cost now.
 
For a little while, soon after the euro came out, the dollar even strengthened: I think the best ever for the dollar was 1€ = $0.895.

My own guess is that the dollar is undervalued at the moment, but I thought that at $1.40...

Cheers,

R.
 
I also read this:

"As Dave Farkas, major US dealer, just posted on LUF, The M9, S2, X1 and S lenses will stay at the 2009 prices. D-lux 4, M lenses and accesories will indeed go up. That makes the Leica cameras in the USA darn cheap for the rest of the world with the $ at 66 Eurocent and dropping…"

So maybe you don't have to rush out to buy the M9 yet. But do get that 75mm Summilux. 🙂
 
jaapv said:
It won't. According to David Farkas of Dale photography, the M9, X1, S2 and S2 lenses will remain at the 2009 price.
Click to expand...

I wonder if Solms is co-opping or if Leica-USA is having to subsidize it out of their own pocket. BTW, Porsche, a niche player compared to Mercedes and BMW (~100K cars/yr worldwide) with a rabidly-loyal cult following, has raised their prices over the last number of years. Traditionally Porsche's have sold for near-MSRP here with no inventory left at model-year end, but recently they've had to discount '09's 20% to clear them out.

The thing I notice is that the dollar has fluctuated against the euro but Leica's prices have only gone up.
 
Well..
SOMEONE'S gotta pay for the Leica employees C.O.L.A. 😉

That said, this happens every year and every year everyone complains and every year Roger, Jaap and a number of other say "Are you going to BUY new equipment? Then why are you complaining??" etc. etc.

It's like the "cycle of life" only not ... hehehe..

Cheers,
Dave
 
dcsang said:
Well..
SOMEONE'S gotta pay for the Leica employees C.O.L.A. 😉

That said, this happens every year and every year everyone complains and every year Roger, Jaap and a number of other say "Are you going to BUY new equipment? Then why are you complaining??" etc. etc.

It's like the "cycle of life" only not ... hehehe..

Cheers,
Dave
Click to expand...

Dear Dave,

Well, actually, I was only quoting exchange rates, but now that you mention it...

Cheers,

R.
 
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