Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/12/13

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Subject: [Leica] Leica Prices to Fall?
From: sethrosner at nycap.rr.com (Seth Rosner)
Date: Sat Dec 13 13:30:01 2008
References: <COL119-W24E0969AC9BB1341AC868F82F60@phx.gbl>

Greg, in the production of cameras, lenses, binoculars etc, Leica Camera has 
costs to cover, many fixed, some moderately variable. But it is not a big 
copmpany that can suffer serious losses over a protracted period and 
survive. We've already seen that. So I doubt that we will see very 
substantial price reductions by Leica during this world financial 
crisis/panic although they may be able to offer some price reductions. If 
they are deep I think the Company would be in some trouble.

All are likely aware of the recent dramatic swings in foreign currency 
exchange rates. The dollar has strengthened against the euro significantly 
during the past few months, from $1.55/1 euro to under $1.25/1 euro and this 
could well permit Leica to reduce the dollar-denominated cost in the US. 
Similarly, the looney had overpowered the US dollar during the past few 
years - I think at one point CAN$0.85. bought US$1. and the two were at par 
last summer. Yesterday it cost CAN$1.2473 to buy US$1. That's a huge swing.

I would not want to head an international business today and have to make 
pricing decisions.

Here in the North Country we had some very bad weather yesterday, an ice 
storm followed by freezing rain, then soft wet snow, then a deep freeze. My 
electric power went out twice, but never for more than 20 minutes. Late 
afternoon yesterday my daughter, who lives just 18 miles away, called to ask 
if my granddaughter could have a sleep-over with me. Of course, nothing can 
delight me more. So Emma's father brought her over though daughter Rachel 
stayed at home. 6:30 this morning phone rings and the poor girl, shivering 
and almost in tears says Poppa, I'm freezing and a little sick; power had 
been out all night chez elles and her indoor temperature was 40 F. (4 
Celsius). So she arrived - with her two tiny rat terriers who instantly 
terrified my three cats - and got warm, till I took them to a hot buffet 
brunch at a nearby hostelry.

The ice has downed not only massive branches but large trees as well, closed 
major roadways and disrupted several hundreds of thousands of lives 
hereabouts.

Get me my M8.

Seth

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Greg Lorenzo" <gregj_lorenzo@hotmail.com>
To: "Leica Users Group LUG" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2008 3:40 PM
Subject: [Leica] Leica Prices to Fall?



The following article suggests that they might.

see: 
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fastest-price-tumble-in-40-years-set-to-spark-deflation-1572713.html

On the other hand it might be a good time to stock the wet bar and cigar 
box.

Greg Lorenzo
Calgary, Canada


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Replies: Reply from alal at duke.poly.edu (A. Lal) ([Leica] Leica Prices to Fall?)
In reply to: Message from gregj_lorenzo at hotmail.com (Greg Lorenzo) ([Leica] Leica Prices to Fall?)