Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]"Dan S" <dstate1@hotmail.com> wrote: Here is how it works.. A manufacturer produces a product on which they want absolute price stability. (Bose speakers for example) They approach the retailer with a proposition. We will sell you product XXXX. You, Mr Retailer, may sell this product for any price you choose. However, if you choose to sell it for below the price contracted, we will CHOOSE not to sell more of these items to your chain.... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dan, you are correct on this one. And this is the heart of Leica's problem. Leica (for example) is not selling the M6 body (or M6TTL) for the same price everywhere. There is one selling price for the dealers in Denmark, one selling price for the dealers in Switzerland, one selling price for the dealers in the US (plus the lovely passport warranty add on), one selling price for the dealers in South Africa, etc. You get the idea. Now, you have to add to this the prevailing exchange rate between the currencies of these various countries. What all of this means right now, is that a knowledgeable dealer in the US can go to Denmark (for example) with US dollars and buy M6 TTLs in Danish Krona much cheaper than he can from Leica USA in Dollars. It's the same camera, that came down the same assemble line, and made by the same people, except for a hell of a lot less money in Denmark than in the US. This problem is going to escalate for Leica. Now, mark this on your calender, two or three years from now, you will be buying you new M6 TTL (or whatever) on the Internet from a dealer (or sub-dealer) in Europe, Hong Kong, India, etc. I am already seeing this with other products, and it is a natural path for Leica sales. I have purchased two items this week out of Europe because they were either not available here in the US or the price in Europe (including shipping) was considerable less than it was here in the US. Price-fixing by any other name is still price-fixing. Don't tolerate it. Remember, there is power in your Dollars. Vote with your dollars and Vote with your feet. Regards, Bill __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://messenger.yahoo.com