Hacker
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peter_n said:
1 new piece coming in first week of Jan 2008. I have to check whether it is 6-bit coded on the outside of the box.
Leica price increase question.
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1 new piece coming in first week of Jan 2008. I have to check whether it is 6-bit coded on the outside of the box.
Olsen
Well-known
Again:
In local currency Leica prices have increased with less than 5% per year. (In my local currency, Norwegian Kroner, Leica prices have gone down!) In US $, however, prices has increased with about 15% - pro anno - since 2001. All due to the drastic fall of the US $; some 50% in 6 years. There is good reason to believe that Leica prices, generally, will be increased further - in USA - in dollars - to compensate for a constantly falling dollar. The Fed's decided to reduce interest rates - to bale out speculators - will force the dollar even lower.
The best way for you US citizens - and citizens of countries that 'ties their currency to the US $' (like China, Singapore, Thailand etc.) - 'watch the Euro'. The rate can be found on bank sites. If it falls further; expect a Leica price increase.
As for those trading in Euro's , British Pounds, Danish-, Swedish Norwegian Kroner - expect a price increase of 3 - 4 % pro anno - if at all.
In local currency Leica prices have increased with less than 5% per year. (In my local currency, Norwegian Kroner, Leica prices have gone down!) In US $, however, prices has increased with about 15% - pro anno - since 2001. All due to the drastic fall of the US $; some 50% in 6 years. There is good reason to believe that Leica prices, generally, will be increased further - in USA - in dollars - to compensate for a constantly falling dollar. The Fed's decided to reduce interest rates - to bale out speculators - will force the dollar even lower.
The best way for you US citizens - and citizens of countries that 'ties their currency to the US $' (like China, Singapore, Thailand etc.) - 'watch the Euro'. The rate can be found on bank sites. If it falls further; expect a Leica price increase.
As for those trading in Euro's , British Pounds, Danish-, Swedish Norwegian Kroner - expect a price increase of 3 - 4 % pro anno - if at all.
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Hacker
黑客
Olsen said:
In other words, I better start putting my cash in Euros?
larmarv916
Well-known
The price increase issue is and has been a tidal swell that as nothing to do with the actual price core cost of the "product" at Leica. I was recently at Leica in Solms and visited with Ralph Hagenauer -Product Communications for several hours. Everything you see around you that is an import item of any kind is going to the moon only because of the radical decline of the US Dollar. In the last 12 months the decline has become almost out of control. A great example of this is if you were buying fuel in England and paying in Sterling you cost in dollars has gone from about 5 bucks to over 8.50 per gallon in Dollars. This all a currency play, and it is only going to get worse. Why do you think the price of used lenses like the Noctilux is totally out of control. This not a Leica induced pricing situation.
Oh and before anyone thinks the Eruo is to blame as being to strong. Everytime the Federal Reserve Cuts the prime rate. it creates a greater cpread in the rate of return on funds invested in the Euro. So money goes wher it can get the greatest rate of return...inparticular the overnight funds market and short term deposits. Its all just that simple.
Oh and before anyone thinks the Eruo is to blame as being to strong. Everytime the Federal Reserve Cuts the prime rate. it creates a greater cpread in the rate of return on funds invested in the Euro. So money goes wher it can get the greatest rate of return...inparticular the overnight funds market and short term deposits. Its all just that simple.
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Turtle
Veteran
Well the increase in Leica a la carte prices scuppered my (somewhat wayward) plan to eventually buy an MP each for my two sons, take them all over the world and be able to attribute certain pictures to them, allowing them to take over where I leave off. I kinda liked the idea of that, in that they could pick up cameras that have a story to them, already bear their intials perhaps and mean something special. Now I have a different plan, @#@% Leica and their a la carte prices. I could buy three 'grey market' bodies and interchange parts to make two, whilst getting them customed engraved for less!!! The cynical gits.
Thanks goodness I bought my Ms when I did......were I looking now, there is not dount whatsoever that I would not own a single piece of kit with the Leica name on it. I own mainly ZM lenses, but with new prices would have ended up with Z1 bodies. If its all about currency, what the bet that they dont come down even if the dollar does? Adding 30% onto a la carte prices is outrageous.
Thanks goodness I bought my Ms when I did......were I looking now, there is not dount whatsoever that I would not own a single piece of kit with the Leica name on it. I own mainly ZM lenses, but with new prices would have ended up with Z1 bodies. If its all about currency, what the bet that they dont come down even if the dollar does? Adding 30% onto a la carte prices is outrageous.
V
varjag
Guest
Pretty good bet yeah.Turtle said:
But don't get mad, it happens all the time in other markets, it's just that U.S. dwellers aren't yet used to that.
Olsen
Well-known
sitemistic said:
This is very true. I don't think that Leica, - or Ferrari for that matter, manages to compensate their- once - lucrative US market with 'emerging markets' like China etc. The fall of the dollar signals fall in European export to USA, - which spells trouble for a whole range of European exporting companies ranging from Airbus to Leica.
mackigator
Well-known
sitemistic: LOL! You hit the nail on the head!
Olsen
Well-known
Over and over again the Leica managment is blamed for the price increases. How can they be blamed for a currency falling 50% (soon more) in 6 years? And: Who is to be blamed? It is actually complicated. One can't just blame George Bush. That's too simple.
It is a range of policies that has been desided by the whole US political establishment over a long time. Not just George Bush. Ranging from deregulating banks & financial institutions and providing them with no safety funds. Just stupidly 'financial engineered products'. - Putting forward propositions that politicians really don't understand. - That campaign finance comes with their signature; that they understand. To spending too much money on wars and less on energy saving, is another factor. And so on.
But you Americans are lucky. You can cast your vote every 4 years. Neither Cubans or the Burmese can do than. You are the ones really making the desisions in America. So, who's the guilty? The one you see in your shaving mirror every morning. He's the guilty.
It is a range of policies that has been desided by the whole US political establishment over a long time. Not just George Bush. Ranging from deregulating banks & financial institutions and providing them with no safety funds. Just stupidly 'financial engineered products'. - Putting forward propositions that politicians really don't understand. - That campaign finance comes with their signature; that they understand. To spending too much money on wars and less on energy saving, is another factor. And so on.
But you Americans are lucky. You can cast your vote every 4 years. Neither Cubans or the Burmese can do than. You are the ones really making the desisions in America. So, who's the guilty? The one you see in your shaving mirror every morning. He's the guilty.
demian
Established
OFF TOPIC:
Well, Ill post this protracted rant as it is rather funny. Perhaps foolishly, markets as they are so easily influenced...
Lemme tell ya, I have been torn apart like you would not believe choosing whether or not to sell my MP (black paint).
I must mention, as a professional fine art painter and dealer, it honestly is one of the most difficult things I have considered having to sell.
It has not been entirely for monetary reasons, that is, whether it is justified to possess such a valuable camera, however, moreso as I am at that point in life where I must give myself fully to my "way" if you will, and although photography has taught a great deal, it is a medium unto itself and truly yields little to my personal work in painting and requires so much of my time (which I do not have).
Anyway, I truly, truly enjoy photography and the beauty of moments and understanding reality via photography...it has truly taken me away..too far away!
THAT SAID, I have not been around in some time and when I return to find an MP black paint sell for $2075 on e*bay 2-3 days ago, well, what a relieved feeling!
How refreshing! It is not worth selling!
In fact, I owned a titanium (M6) model beforehand, made an almost even trade 3 yrs ago...although I take very good care of my equipment and my MP has travelled ~11 countries with me (and reflects hardly any wear at all?!) ..
I became so tired of worrying about scratching the Titanium model..
People warned me not to sell it, it was collectable, blah, blah, however, how ironic that within the same day a titanium sold (genuine sales) for $2800?!
Originally I paid $2900 for mine, second hand of course..when one could find them. Recently it seems people (collectors)are selling them for fear of film's demise creating a glut in the market like never before..
..yet the pendulum swings and it will soar once again..but what prices?!
Ah well, I for one am glad Leicas prices have been dropping on the second hand market!
They certainly did well with the MP marketing..it truly is a camera one can never sell...appeals so much to ones emotions. Does not need to be said, but the camera is an absolute diamond. A fine instrument.
Get one NOW while prices are low. They have never been so low as the presently are.
On the Leica note, well, their problem has always been that they have been a victim of their own success. They cannot compete with themselves on the used market. Who buys new for heaven's sake?
Anyway, funny...truly funny.
My heart was teling me it was the wrong thing to do. Photography shall and needs to be in my life it seems.
If you only knew the stories I have with this camera....another time.
Happy holidays everyone.
Well, Ill post this protracted rant as it is rather funny. Perhaps foolishly, markets as they are so easily influenced...
Lemme tell ya, I have been torn apart like you would not believe choosing whether or not to sell my MP (black paint).
I must mention, as a professional fine art painter and dealer, it honestly is one of the most difficult things I have considered having to sell.
It has not been entirely for monetary reasons, that is, whether it is justified to possess such a valuable camera, however, moreso as I am at that point in life where I must give myself fully to my "way" if you will, and although photography has taught a great deal, it is a medium unto itself and truly yields little to my personal work in painting and requires so much of my time (which I do not have).
Anyway, I truly, truly enjoy photography and the beauty of moments and understanding reality via photography...it has truly taken me away..too far away!
THAT SAID, I have not been around in some time and when I return to find an MP black paint sell for $2075 on e*bay 2-3 days ago, well, what a relieved feeling!
How refreshing! It is not worth selling!
In fact, I owned a titanium (M6) model beforehand, made an almost even trade 3 yrs ago...although I take very good care of my equipment and my MP has travelled ~11 countries with me (and reflects hardly any wear at all?!) ..
I became so tired of worrying about scratching the Titanium model..
People warned me not to sell it, it was collectable, blah, blah, however, how ironic that within the same day a titanium sold (genuine sales) for $2800?!
Originally I paid $2900 for mine, second hand of course..when one could find them. Recently it seems people (collectors)are selling them for fear of film's demise creating a glut in the market like never before..
..yet the pendulum swings and it will soar once again..but what prices?!
Ah well, I for one am glad Leicas prices have been dropping on the second hand market!
They certainly did well with the MP marketing..it truly is a camera one can never sell...appeals so much to ones emotions. Does not need to be said, but the camera is an absolute diamond. A fine instrument.
Get one NOW while prices are low. They have never been so low as the presently are.
On the Leica note, well, their problem has always been that they have been a victim of their own success. They cannot compete with themselves on the used market. Who buys new for heaven's sake?
Anyway, funny...truly funny.
My heart was teling me it was the wrong thing to do. Photography shall and needs to be in my life it seems.
If you only knew the stories I have with this camera....another time.
Happy holidays everyone.
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