Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/08/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]As a dual US/CDN citizen, living in London, I've now experienced Leica purchasing in three countries. I used to say that visiting New Hampshire (which has no sales tax) while living in eastern Canada (which had 18% federal/provincial tax at the time) was like dying and going to heaven for a Canadian. Among the three, the US is the most aggressive and probably honest in its pricing, due to that good old capitalist spirit and intense competition. New Leica stuff in Canada (last year I lived there was '95) seems to be priced reasonably close to US prices (factoring in exchange and duty/taxes). But used Leica equipment in Canada has always been (IMHO) quite a bit higher priced. And the downtown Toronto dealers are not very accurate in quality grading. Everything is Mint minus unless bits have fallen off. Again, the US sets somewhat of a standard, and is also a much bigger (and more knowledgeable, in general) market. Which brings us to the UK and "Rip-off Britain" as the tabloids love to shout. I've actually found some (what I consider) great deals here - like a mint Noctilux for US$1300. Not suspiciously cheap, and from a dealer (not in London) that offered a six-month return/refund warranty! I have bought quite a bit of well-described used equipment at very good prices. Not much is priced above the magic £1000 barrier, so the more expensive an item, the bigger the potential savings are on a used example. Of course, stay off the High Street and always check the low-overhead guys (Robert White, Fieldgrass & Gale). For £1.85, you can grab a copy of Amateur Photographer and check out the latest new and used prices. It's true that the UK market is smaller and that there is less competition. There is also the London "City" problem where Wall Street types will walk in and buy an M6ttl and three lenses at full retail on the spur of the moment. There are lots of flash cars in this city, and a retailer can get hooked on the easy money. Steve Patriquen London __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/