[Leica] Leica shopping in Hong Kong

[cummer at netvigator.com (H&ECummer)]

Geir,
I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. Leica list prices in Hong Kong are 
on average over 30% higher than the list prices in Europe (without VAT). And 
most shops in Hong Kong sell over list to our mainland cousins who buy buy 
buy based on the name plate - whether it's Prada or Leica. Hong Kong old 
timers like me and Joseph Yao and Ray Tai decry the situation but there is 
nothing we can do and when we "need" something Leica we either order it from 
Europe or America. A couple of price examples. The second half 2011 Leica 
price list for Hong Kong (which will likely go up this month) lists a grey 
or black M9 (the standard model not the P) at HK$61,500 (US$7,917). The 
price for the same camera from the Leica shop in Vienna is Eu4,680 - 
including Eu 100 for shipping. That, at today's exchange rate is HK$46,582 
(US$5,996). Another example. I wanted the special UV/IR cut filter for my 18 
Elmar. The list in Hong Kong is HK$2,500 (US$321). I bought the filter from 
Tony Rose at Pop Flash for US$200 (HK$1,553) - including shipping and it 
arrived last night. So, if you are looking for reasonable pricing I'm afraid 
Hong Kong is not the place. Twenty years ago it was but not anymore.
Sadly yours
Howard (in high rent Hong Kong)
> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:46:52 +0000 (GMT)
> From: Geir <ftwno1 at yahoo.no>
> Subject: [Leica] Vedr:  Vedr:  How to check a M9
> To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org>
> 
> Yes Frank i know the danger if it is stolen. And since the seller did not 
> have the recipt and is not willing to give me the serialno of the camera i 
> said no thanks.
> I will go to Hong Kong one of thise days and see if i can get a new.Little 
> more expencive at first but might be the cheapest when the day is over.
> I think there is some here on the list that live in HK can you please 
> email me where is the best place in HK to shop for a Leica M9 or M9-P?
> Kind regards
> Geir
>