buying gear in Europe (specifically CH)

[waldemarski]

I'll be in Switzerland in March, and wondered if there's anyone here who can tell me about buying Leica and Zeiss gear (esp. lenses, esp. used) in southern Germany/Switzerland. Specifically, am I typically better off just looking for it in shops or online here, or are prices competitive there? Could I save money on a Zeiss ZM 28 by buying it there, for instance, esp. with tax rebates?

If you are familiar with the area (I'll be staying near the Thunersee, but expect to be in Bern, Basel, and Zurich for sure), any leads on good shops to visit would be gratefully appreciated.

cheers,
waldemar

 

[EmilGil]

Switzerland is a pretty expensive country for a tourist and VAT is only 7.6% so don't expect to much back on a reclaim. I don't know about the exchange rates between CHF and USD but since the dollar has fallen quite a bit against the euro, I'd say that you'll find camera gear pretty expensive here.

Here is a thread on Pnet regarding Leica equipment in Switzerland.

 

[hetedik]

... are prices competitive there? ...

Well, depends on where you come from, Hong Kong or Oslo ;-)

Seen in a world-wide perspective German, especially Swiss, prices generally are not really in the lower end. Switzerland is a very rich and small country, with premium prices on most things. Germany has some larger mail-order companies, offering quite fair prices. Best if you do an online check f.ex. :
www.preissuchmaschine.de
www.kelkoo.de
www.billiger.de

If you seek used equipment, I suggest to check the German ebay, many larger photo shops sell used gear there, and you can contact them per e-mail or phone.
www.ebay.de

Good luck!

 

[waldemarski]

Thank you for the useful info and links!

Okay, so Switzerland isn't the best place for prices. I've checked the links given and so far the prices are indeed better here for good shoppers. One of the links from PN mentioned crossing the border into southern Germany for a useful savings. Anybody have shops in that region (for instance, I'm pretty sure I'll be in Loerrach) which are worth visiting? Even if the prices aren't great, it's always fun to poke around...

cheers,
waldemar

 

[nksyoon]

It's not easy to find bargains in CH. Here are some links for you:

Camera stores in CH
Secondhand Camera Listing #1
Secondhand Camera Listing #2
Local Online Auctions

Here are some stores in Zurich with a lot of 2nd hand stuff, again, few bargains to be had.

Camera Store
Hottingerstr. 37
8032 Zürich
Telefon 044 251 55 00
Fax 044 251 95 79

Foto-Kino-Video Milchbuck
Schaffhauserstr. 126
8057 Zürich
Telefon 044 361 18 22
Fax 044 361 18 55
(this guy has tons of old cameras, no idea if they work or not)

 

[RML]

You can get much better prices buying from the US, whether through eBay or shops like KEH. Prices for camera gear in Europe (with perhaps the UK as an exception) are the same price in euro as in dollars ($1000 camera in the US will cost you about Eu 1000 in Europe). It's often even a good idea to just go to New York for a weekend and shop there.

 

[wdenies]

I baught my Nikon D70s a lot cheaper (kitlens & memory card almost for free) i Samnaun (CH) than here in Belgium.
Samnaun is a taxfree village located on the triangle Switserland, Italy, Austria and only accessible from Austria.
Be aware for customs as CH is not a EC member.

 

[hetedik]

Samnaun is a taxfree village located on the triangle Switserland, Italy, Austria and only accessible from Austria.

That's a good one!

As you will be here in March, there is usually still snow enough. So go for a couple of days skiing in Ischgl, Austria, take the long red slope down to Samnaun, Switzerland, make your shopping there and back with the "James Bond cabine" to Austria ;-)

Just avoid the black slopes on your way home, so you don't smash you fine new toys ;-)

 

[traveller]

Even when paying customs and taxes buying gear in the US is usually cheaper, just compare the prices (new) at Voightlander Germany and CameraQuest.... I got a CV 35/2,5 for ~$ 160,- with shipping included from a reliable source. With customs and taxes that added up to ~€ 160,-. I also got the 15 mm from ferider at a good price. Another possibility is buying in the UK.

IMO used gear in acceptable condition is getting expensive at Eb.. Germany. I don't know if this is because of Xmas or if most people have already sold their analog gear to finance digital and no more stuff is stored in the shelfs. You can have luck like me and get a XD 7 with lenses in good condition for € 50,- (was in the wrong category) but normaly you'll pay about € 100,- . A well known store in Munich wanted € 180,- without a lens.

In Samnaun you can get nice prices (better inform yourself about street prices before you buy) but customs got a real annoyance and it is really expensive when they get you. Be aware that even them have mobiles and some of them are lurking around in the streets in civilian clothes. A friend of mine learned this lesson the hard way.

Crossing the border maybe Freiburg has some opportunities and that is not so far from Loerrach.

Good Hunting