[Leica] In Shock

[neal at nairobisafari.com (Neal Friedenthal)]

The photo retail business is the most rediculous business to gwet into, as 
it seems to be a sin to make a decent profit. On Canon amd Nikon, which are 
by far the most popular makes, it is impossible to sell for more than $100 
over cost and are usually sold for less than $50 over cost. You can't stay 
in business for long on that type of profit margin.  We have to sell some 
cameras at cost and try to make some profit on accessories such as memory 
cards, cases, filters, and batteries. I work part time for Le Camera in New 
Jersey and we are trying to hang in there but it is not easy.  The only 
cameras that we do make a decent profit on, a bit over 10%, is Leica and 
that is only because to get a dealership with them you have to sign a 
contract that requires that you sell no lower than their "minimum selling 
price" which is why everyone's price is the same on Leica equipment.  The 
small independent camera shop is a dieing breed and it is the consumer who 
is killing it.  
BTW we have more used equipment than we know what to do with, how about a 
nice Nikkormat FTN with a 50mm f1.4 Nikkor for $125.....