Leica Price increase

[Nigel Meaby]

Leica have announced a price increase from January 2009. I saw this on a UK Leica dealers website but I imagine it will be worldwide.

 

[Debusti Paolo]

As Usual!!!😡

 

[Fred Burton]

Wait a while. Someone will post that it's not really a price increase but because, A: The Dollar has dropped or B: the Dollar has risen. 😉

 

[Al Kaplan]

I suspect that most of the people who actually buy new Leicas won't be too concerned. They're already priced out of the reach of about 98.3% of us. The other 1.7% can manage to wait another month before trading their current Mercedes on a new one.

 

[Mackinaw]

Don't forget that Leica U.S.A. has rebates, for some cameras and most lenses, going on right now.

Jim B.

 

[dcsang]

Don't forget that Leica U.S.A. has rebates, for some cameras and most lenses, going on right now.

Jim B.

Yep..... and that ends as of January 1, 2009 - therefore Leica's price increase will likely go through on this side of the Atlantic as well.

While I'm aware of rising costs of various material goods (i.e. some would say oil, gold, etc.) with the current economic climate around the globe being what it is I'm surprised that Leica has decided to go through with price increases. Oh well, I guess they're insulated enough - I wonder how other luxury items (Omega/Tissot/Rolex watches, Bentley Automobiles, etc.) fare during such tough economic times...

Dave

 

[Tuolumne]

Please, commodity prices have crashed in the last few months. Checked the price of oil lately? And most luxury brands are in a world of hurt. The very few trying to hold the line on pricing are doing so to try to maintain their high-end cachet. I don't think Leica will ever have a problem with that. Assuming they know what they are doing, they have zero price elasticity (lower prices do not increase sales at all).

/T

 

[sirius]

Hmm, don't they have a 30% cash back deal for US December sales? This might be another way for them to stimulate sales this month/quarter. To give cash back for a company that has had Leica's past sales approach must mean that they are desperate.

 

[Tim Gray]

Seems like it was a good move to buy my Leica lenses/camera as early as possible. I figured there would be more price increases than there would be pay raises for me. Haha.

Not that I can afford to buy new, but the new prices influence the used prices.

 

[Tuolumne]

I loaded up on Leica lenses and bodies (most used, some new) a few years ago when I could afford it. I can barely afford a Leica lens cap now. Glad I got them when I did, and sure hope I'm not forced to sell.

/T

 

[Roger Hicks]

Wait a while. Someone will post that it's not really a price increase but because, A: The Dollar has dropped or B: the Dollar has risen. 😉

Dear Fred,

Not really. Dollars aren't involved. Just pounds and euros. And with the euro at 1.15 to the pound, instead of 1.40 or so, yes, you've worked it out: £3000 = either 3450€ (at 1.15) or 4200€ (at 1.40).

Assume you have to see (say) 3700€ to break even on an M8.2 and it's not a difficult calculation that prices need to go up. Unpopular, perhaps, but hardly difficult.

Of course if they go up in euros as well, that's another matter.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Nigel Meaby]

"Link to the UK dealer's website please?"
http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/index.php

 

[KM-25]

Glad I currently own all the Leica gear I will ever need for the rest of my life..😉

 

[swoop]

Makes me wish I got that Leica a la cart two years ago when it was $1000 less. =(

 

[Al Kaplan]

Makes me glad that I bought all of my stuff back when a clean M2 body was less than $150 because a brand new one listed for $200 and $288 would get you an M3 or M4.

Right now we're in the midst of The Great Digital Revolution. The mantra is FILM IS DEAD!

Forty years ago we were in the midst of The Great SLR Revolution. Leica survived.

 

[Keith]

Damn ... a rebate in the US followed by a notification of a price increase. Give with one hand ... take with the other. 🙄

No wonder those other forums think we're a bunch of rich snobs! 😛

 

[infrequent]

Damn ... a rebate in the US followed by a notification of a price increase. Give with one hand ... take with the other.

i am waiting for roger hicks' analysis as to how this is a sound move by the leica upper management. ; )

 

[maddoc]

For me - living in Japan and with the recent increased strength of the Yen - it would have been cheaper to buy all my Leica stuff now and not one and a half year ago ... On the other hand, I was able to use it for this time already, got some shots that I like so I won't complain. 🙂

 

[Rayt]

Damn ... a rebate in the US followed by a notification of a price increase. Give with one hand ... take with the other. 🙄

A bunch of master-rebaters that's what they are😛

 

[Al Kaplan]

I think that I'll go sit out on the front porch, finish my coffee, smoke a cigarette, and fondle one of my Leicas.