Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]It is my understanding that the grey market is driven by currency fluctuations. I heard that for a while the grey market stuff was coming in from Austria, presently it appears to be from Hong Kong. It depends on the relative exchange rates between the dollar and other currencies. Leica USA may have inventory purchased at the then current exchange rate, and when the exchange rates fluctuate, someone else may be able to bring something in at a lower cost. Leica monitors this, as they know where they ship every serial number to. All they have to do is to have someone buy a grey market camera or lens to know where the store is getting them from. Leica USA, and our Northern California representative, definitely provide added value through photo days, clean and checks, passport warranty, photo shoots, etc. I think the technical term I learned in my college economics classes for those who would buy grey market and then expect Leica USA to service it for them is "freeloading." I am not trying to sound "holier than thou" in saying that -- I recently made my only grey market purchase, an APO Componon enlarging lens from Adorama. I decided that for the $100 savings, I would take the risk of not having the lifetime USA warranty on an enlarging lens, but I would expect Adorama to service it if necessary, not Schneider USA. OTOH, I was very glad that I had a USA Passport Warranty on my M6 TTL when it fell out of my bag onto the driveway last month! Tom Schofield