albert_vondeling1 Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I saw that prices of almost all new Leica lenses suddenly have gone extremely higher (30%!) - than they already were. Example: summicron asf. 35 mm M was one month ago 1500 euro, now 2000 euro. What's the policy behind this? Because there is a Leica clan that will pay any price? Do they think this will not have substantialle consequences for the sales? Or is it just a simple way of getting nesseccary more earnings? Can anyone explain this marketing strategy? Or is it not a marketing strategy at all but just a desperate step? A. Vondeling, Holland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icuneko Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I believe economists call this a niche market. Others call is the haves vs. the have-nots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliot_rosen1 Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 No kidding, I hadn't heard that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_thorlin Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 It would seem that they are prepared to take a chance that their die-hard supporters ( and the big-wallet collectors ) will continue to cough up the asking price. Perhaps they feel that they are down to the hardcore Leicaphiles and given the fairly parlous financial state of Leica it may just be a reasonable gamble - trade off between say losing a few more customers for a one-third increase in turnover. However trying to guess what Leica is up to is pretty similar to asking the lady with the crystal ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_levidiotis Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I believe they are counting on fools like me who believe (true or not) their products' quality is worth the price asked. I put off owning Leica stuff for years because I could not afford it. I regret my prudence now because I enjoy the products so much and wish I had more time to fondle, drool over and use Leica RFs and their overpriced lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shambrick007 Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 There was an ice cube's chance in hell that I was ever gonna buy a new Leica lens. Now it's for sure NO WAY! Sigh, will most likely will drive used prices up. That used 35 ASPH Summilux is getting further and further away :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_thorlin Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 See what I mean ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dford Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 A brand spanking new member with tales of a 30% price increase. Price check please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm_tentt Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 {albert vondeling A member of the www.photo.net community since December 02, 2005.} It's because there're so many blokes Vondeling their Leicas. Troll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Assuming this is true, wouldn't it be welcomed by true Leica collectors. It can only make Leica products even more exclusive and therefore even more valuable? People may buy them as a hedge against inflation, rather like gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_fromm2 Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Oh, come on. Leica equipment is so wonderful that it would be cheap at twice the price. Or is it half? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dford Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 dat vas vhat I vas vondeling as vell. vhat if Vondeling vas a troll? den vhat do ve do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Ebay's looking better all the time. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 They typically announce price increases several months in advance so you can bellly up to the bar at (haha) pre-increase prices. I've only bought 1 Leica lens and 1 body new in 37 years...the rest have been used...well worth the negotiated prices. At current levels for new gear, no v(f)ondeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 (a) Stop all that crap about fooling around with his name, even if he <i>is</i> a troll. <p>(b) At least here in Germany (itself) there have <i>always</i> been price increases. Once every spring, and then again every fall. Whether you like it or not. That is the reason that any old <i>real</i> Leica "member" would never, ever, buy a brand new Leica product from a store. You can always buy it second hand (e.g. via eBay or elsewhere here) at a fraction of the price.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_roarke Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 The going rate for a 35mm Asph Summicron remains approx 1,700 Euro, maybe 1100 GBP all-in of VAT. Don't let this troll wind you up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I agree with Michael. Don't assume every new-comer is a troll or a reincarnation of another. Even "Hero" posters, having been banned have come back with a new pen name/personna (sp?). Just ask yourself, when you first started, did you get the troll treatment? Some would have the forum turned into a "bridge club/old mans network". As for the original post: It's the Euro going fron 0.8USD to 1.31USD within two-years. At present, Leicas sell for less $$$ in the US than Euros in Europe, disregarding exchage rates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan_litvin2 Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I was told by an authorized specialty Leica dealer that prices of new equipment will increase by 5% in January. I don't know about Europe though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo_larricese Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Please Howard, this is the only appreciation I've experienced all week; let's not run the man off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey_edelstein1 Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Have any of you invested in or followed futures of markets? If you are getting mail from AARP like I am and have owned Leica for at least 30 years like me you can bet that our days of buying new gear is comming to an end soon. We will use what we have and buy used and save money as we plan for retirement. And If you are reading this and have been retired for many years bless you and good shooting. All I know is eventually we are all forced by human lifecycle to stop doing things like driving a car or entering marathon races. When we do we usually sell our now idle possesions and since us Leica owners are a mature breed I expect a lot of gear to eventually come onto the used market. And digital cameras probably will cause some to sell sooner so Leica has a hard sell into this environment unless they can get some digital products to market while we are still in the buying mode for expensive gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icuneko Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Eliot, I wouldn't kid you. Others maybe, but not you. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Howard. The price for a 35mm f/2 ASPH is currently 1199 GBP (from www.ffordes.com who are a mainstream and reputable authorised Leica dealer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic_. Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Hi Albert, In the US, the price increases take place four times a year, usually at the start of every calendar quarter, and are in the 3-5% range. The 2000 Euro price you quoted sounds far too high, unless you were looking at a limited edition lens. Could you let us know where you saw such a price, and send the URL link as well. Thanks. PS. Sending the link will also clear up all the nonsense people have been writing about your good name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_.1 Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 popflash.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_roarke Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Thanks Trevor. I'm sure that's the market, give or take 50 or a 100 quid. Classic has them at 1155, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now