Re: [Leica] Why are Leicas so much less expensive in Asia??

[cmbrow@mail.wm.edu]

> Date:          Fri, 13 Mar 1998 22:31:49 +0800
> From:          ray tai <razerx@netvigator.com>
> To:            leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject:       Re: [Leica] Why are Leicas so much less expensive in Asia??
> Reply-to:      leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us

> I live in Hong Kong and bought the M6 and 35/1.4 ASPH recently and paid
> a little less than those prices.  Leica prices in Hong Kong weren't
> always this low.  As a matter of fact, I bought my first M6 last April
> and paid New York (after rebate) prices.  The economic situation in all
> of Asia has left plenty of unsold stock, especially from Southeast Asia
> and Korea.  So the stock is ending up in Hong Kong where the economy is
> still thriving (HK has the largest cash reserve per capita in the
> world).  The Noctilux actually costs under US$1600 now.  My fellow
> LUGGERS especially UK LUGGERS, come to HK, fill up your suitcase with
Dave,

Can you say a little about your experience in buying from HK?  The 
prices on the Noctilux and the 75/1.4 look *very* attractive.

Thanks.

Chandos Michael Brown



> David Freedman wrote:
> > 
> > Last night, in response to a pricing query I sent off a few days ago, I
> > received a fax from my favorite (authorized) Leica dealer in Hong Kong. I
> > never cease to be amazed at the wide discrepancy between the prices I'm used
> > to paying here in New York and the quotes I receive from Hong Kong.  Some
> > examples (converted to US$) followed by current post-rebate New York prices
> > in parens:
> > 
> > M6 body:               $1,517  ($1,995)
> > 21/2.8 asph           $1,491  ($2,095)
> > 24/2.8 asph           $1,362  ($1,895)
> > 35/1.4 asph           $1,491  ($2,595)
> > 50/1 Noctilux         $1,660  ($2,795)
> > 75/1.4 Summilux   $1,582  ($2,795)
> > 
> > for the "R" system:
> > 19/2.8                     $1,816  ($2,745)
> > 80/1.4                     $1,790  ($2,645)
> > 180/2 APO             $3,696  ($6,095)   <= This is tempting!
> > 400/2.8 APO          $7,912  ($12,440)
> > 
> > Having purchased my 70-180/2.8 and 280/4 lenses from this particular dealer,
> > I'm reasonably confident that these prices are correct.
> > 
> > Anyone on the list care to offer a layman's explanation of the wide price
> > differential? The equipment I received came with the appropriate papers
> > (including international warranty) from the official Leica agent in Hong
> > Kong.  Why should an M6 outfit cost thousands more in Solms than it does in
> > Hong Kong?
> > 
> > Dave F.
> 
>