M11 pre-VAT purchase price lower in the EU?

[Nitnaros]

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I’m going back and forth between my home & house  in New Jersey and my home country Austria. I buy camera equipment typically in the US. When I buy in Europe, I can claim a VAT cc tax refund since I am a US resident.

B&H shows the Leica M11 for  $9,000.- pre US sales tax.

The Leica store Austria for Euro 8,750.- with tax, and Euro 7,292.- without tax.

so Euro 7,292.- equals $8,008.-

$8,008.- in the EU versus $9,000.- in the US pre-VAT tax … how come the EU is cheaper ?

[lct]

1 hour ago, Nitnaros said:

When I buy in Europe, I can claim a VAT cc tax refund since I am a US resident.

Precisely because you are not a EU resident so there is no reason for you to pay for EU taxes (VAT) but when your camera returns home you are supposed to pay for import US taxes i guess, but i know nothing about custom system(s) in the USA.

[jaapv]

If you can explain to me why a SCL4 battery costs 285$ in the USA and 130€ plus VAT over here, I’ll explain the difference in camera pricing. 🙃

[rich_]

If it is of interest, the Leica Miami store does not appear to add sales tax when selling out of state. 

[MyLeicaWorld]

10 hours ago, Nitnaros said:

I’m going back and forth between my home & house  in New Jersey and my home country Austria. I buy camera equipment typically in the US. When I buy in Europe, I can claim a VAT cc tax refund since I am a US resident.

B&H shows the Leica M11 for  $9,000.- pre US sales tax.

The Leica store Austria for Euro 8,750.- with tax, and Euro 7,292.- without tax.

so Euro 7,292.- equals $8,008.-

$8,008.- in the EU versus $9,000.- in the US pre-VAT tax … how come the EU is cheaper ?

And also if you buy the demo version of m11 in never opened box you’ll get 500 euros off the price.. ask for it.. I bought my M11 from Florence Italy Leica store .. it was 8500 euros back in October 2022.. I got 15% tax back .. they offered me the unopened demo version for 500 euros off.. if I had chosen it it would be 7000 euros .. 

[nicci78]

It is called localisation fees : import duties, paying employees overseas, transport, exchange rate insurance, etc… 
US products are cheaper in USA but more expensive in EU

EU products are the other way around : cheaper in Europe more expensive abroad. 

[jaapv]

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On 8/2/2023 at 11:25 PM, Nitnaros said:

I’m going back and forth between my home & house  in New Jersey and my home country Austria. I buy camera equipment typically in the US. When I buy in Europe, I can claim a VAT cc tax refund since I am a US resident.

B&H shows the Leica M11 for  $9,000.- pre US sales tax.

The Leica store Austria for Euro 8,750.- with tax, and Euro 7,292.- without tax.

so Euro 7,292.- equals $8,008.-

$8,008.- in the EU versus $9,000.- in the US pre-VAT tax … how come the EU is cheaper ?

Note however that Leica USA will regard the camera as grey import and refuse warranty. You  need. to send it to Wetzlar in that case.