[Leica] Leica Prices to Fall?

[alal at duke.poly.edu (A. Lal)]

While  Leica may not be able to afford deep cuts in the prices of new 
equipment, deflation has already affected prices on the used market. This 
decline may well accelerate depending on the overall state of the economy.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Seth Rosner" <sethrosner@nycap.rr.com>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Saturday, 13 December, 2008 4:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica Prices to Fall?


> 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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