[Leica] euro vs dollar and leica

[jayanand at gmail.com (Jayanand Govindaraj)]

What I was given to understand for Nikon is the guarantee standards and
period is far more stringent in Europe, and that was one of the primary
reasons for the difference in price.
Cheers
Jayanand

On Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 1:55 PM, Didier Ludwig <leica@screengang.com> wrote:

> Concerning Leica prices and $ vs. ?, the north americans shouldn't complain
> too much. If Leica prices come a bit up in the USA they're just catching up
> our level here. Because Leica gear still costs less in the US than in most
> european countries, even when we deduce the partially high VAT fees from
> here. The reason is not clear to me, must be a marketing decision made in
> the Leica HQ. I once asked Leica Switzerland why they want 33% more for a 
> M8
> than an official US dealer, like popflash, wants; though we've one of the
> lowest VAT in Europe (7.6%). They never answered.
>
> Many other companies have a similar price politics, for instance for the
> higher priced german car models. They cost less overseas, and newer models
> are earlier available than here. A member of my family just imported a
> brandnew mercedes like this and saved more than 15% compared to the price 
> of
> here, all customs, vat, fees and shipping included. Those who want to buy
> the same car here in Switzerland are put on a waiting list, with a delay of
> about one year (and when they finally get it, the even newer model is
> available in US again...)
>
> Didier
>
>
>
> >It is the "ratcheting" effect....
> >
> >Dollar goes down, so European companies price in Euros, and therefore the
> >item becomes more expensive in Dollars.  Dollar recovers, they price in
> >Dollars... repatriating more Euros....
> >
> >Happens all the time.....
> >
> >Or, if you prefer, the part of the price that is dependent on the exchange
> >rate, is recalculated only once or twice a year ( especially when the
> dollar
> >is rising).  It is not time now, so we'll have to wait and see.....
> >
> >Frank Filippone
>
>
>
>
>
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