M9 prices going up 8-15%

[manic]

Sounds like the new price point will be $8,000 now, just seems easier for them to raise it an even $1,000.

View Article

[dfarkas]

Originally Posted by manic

Sounds like the new price point will be $8,000 now, just seems easier for them to raise it an even $1,000.

View Article

As I posted several weeks ago when I first got the memo from Leica, prices are going up as of Jan 1, 2010. But, M9 price is staying the same. So is X1, S2, and S lenses. The major price change is on M lenses, the D-Lux 4 (will be $799), and many accessories like viewfinders, straps, cases, etc.

So, the price of an M9 on Jan 2 will still be $6995.

David

[jaapv]

That is cheap, with the $ at 66 Eurocent....

[250swb]

In the UK the price is guaranteed to go up in January whatever Leica do, when the V.A.T. tax is increase back to 17.5%. That will be around £120 added on, taking the price very close to the £5000 mark.

[manic]

That's good, but I guess this may raise the used market value of lenses as well. Better buy soon.

Originally Posted by dfarkas

As I posted several weeks ago when I first got the memo from Leica, prices are going up as of Jan 1, 2010. But, M9 price is staying the same. So is X1, S2, and S lenses. The major price change is on M lenses, the D-Lux 4 (will be $799), and many accessories like viewfinders, straps, cases, etc.

So, the price of an M9 on Jan 2 will still be $6995.

David

[spersky]

Is the price really going up? Nah, maybe just the fact that the U.S. dollar is going down the drain.

[UliWer]

Originally Posted by dfarkas

... The major price change is on M lenses, the D-Lux 4 (will be $799), and many accessories like viewfinders, straps, cases, etc.

...

Hasn't there been an increase in prices for lenses on September 1, 2009 in US?

In germany most lens prices went up für 50,- or 100,- € - only the items which were issued last and this year excluded.

Since this increase went almost unnoticed - even in this forum - I fear that we see another one next year.

[Chroma project]

In Sweden prices for Leica lenses and M9 is already down! 500$ off for the nocti 300$ off for M9...

[plasticman]

Originally Posted by Chroma project

In Sweden prices for Leica lenses and M9 is already down! 500$ off for the nocti 300$ off for M9...

Hmmmm - well as the current price of the M9 appears to be the equivalent of almost $8700USD (59,900kr) here in Stockholm, I'd say we're due a price reduction...

[ho_co]

Thanks for the word, David, and for repeating it, manic.

In my experience, Leica US prices tend to rise, particularly when the initial flush of new product slows.

Never hurts to spend money, so long as it's in a good cause.

[Ecaton]

Never sell a Leica lens. The best hedge for a declining USD value.

[glenerrolrd]

Does anyone know how Leica handles backorder pricing in the USA? I have been encouraging my friends to find the Leica M lenses they want before year end and the price increases(which I am sure will affect used prices as well). If a dealer orders a lens now but its back ordered ...will it come in at the new price?

[spersky]

Originally Posted by Ecaton

Never sell a Leica lens. The best hedge for a declining USD value.

Seriously, Instead of gold maybe I should but Leica lens, at least I can use them in the mean time.

[James R]

Originally Posted by jaapv

That is cheap, with the $ at 66 Eurocent....

Does the liste price include the VAT, or is that added on?

[scott kirkpatrick]

US prices are always quoted without sales tax (there is no VAT in the US). And internet or phone sales that are shipped into states in which the store has no brick-and-mortar presence are not subject to the sending state's sales taxes. When you pay state income taxes you are asked to declare your out-of-state purchases and pay the tax in your state of residence, but I suspect not all do this. It's not clear how many more years this pleasant situation will last.

scott

[leicanut2]

The US dollar went down again I bet.

Jan

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by scott kirkpatrick

US prices are always quoted without sales tax (there is no VAT in the US). And internet or phone sales that are shipped into states in which the store has no brick-and-mortar presence are not subject to the sending state's sales taxes. When you pay state income taxes you are asked to declare your out-of-state purchases and pay the tax in your state of residence, but I suspect not all do this. It's not clear how many more years this pleasant situation will last.

scott

Yeah - over here the customs tax the incoming packages. One may get lucky with the volume of traffic and/or inefficiency when using USPS as the sending carrier or by misdeclaring the value, but don't count on it. Courier packages are always taxed at border crossing.

[Nicoleica]

Originally Posted by jaapv

Yeah - over here the customs tax the incoming packages. One may get lucky with the volume of traffic and/or inefficiency when using USPS as the sending carrier or by misdeclaring the value, but don't count on it. Courier packages are always taxed at border crossing.

And you get taxed on the full invoice amount, including shipping and insurance. This can make a 'bargain' from abroad quite expensive in the end.

[jaapv]

Indeed you are, Nicole and you have to pay handling charges for the privilege too. Which are subject to VAT

[scott kirkpatrick]

Originally Posted by jaapv

Yeah - over here the customs tax the incoming packages. One may get lucky with the volume of traffic and/or inefficiency when using USPS as the sending carrier or by misdeclaring the value, but don't count on it. Courier packages are always taxed at border crossing.

All true. I was unable to pick up my M9 in person in the US a few months back. We shipped it to me in a plain brown box, using USPS, identifying the contents as "Leica camera" and stating its value, shall we say, conservatively. It got lost for a while, but once I found it, it was being held at customs in the postal system, waiting for me to explain the possible discrepancy between the word "Leica" and the stated value. I spent a morning sorting this out, and either because I didn't lie too much, looked respectable, and/or teach at the university from which the section chief in the office was an alumnus, they cut me a deal. Never again!

scott