At 08:17 AM 3/6/98 -0600, PvT wrote:
>
>Thought the group would be interested in knowing that OLY is
>implementing a 200rice increase effective April 1, 1998. I do not know
>if it will include other than just cameras and lenses.
>
>Unfortunately for most of us, this increase is going to affect the price
>of used equipment too. Paul.
Never wanting to simply spread rumours, I decided to do the logical thing
and actually phone Olympus America to get the info "straight from the
horse's mouth."
I talked to Jim de Carlo, Sales Manager for OLY America at 1-800-622-6372
ext. 5157 (this number is toll-free anywhere in Continental North America).
Mr. de Carlo was *very* forthcoming, and said that yes, indeed, prices on
certain of the Olympus imaging line were going to rise by 20% April 1,
1998, and that larger dealers were already buying up quantities of stock in
anticipation of this.
Mr. de Carlo indicated specifically that the OM-4Ti and the OM lens group
would rise in wholesale price by 20%, but the wholesale price of the OM-3Ti
and the OM Accessories line will remain essentially unchanged ("no
scheduled price increases" was the word).
Mr. de Carlo indicated that extremely low demand was causing this price
re-vamping. As one example, he noted that the cost to manufacture the
Telescopic Auto Tube was fairly close to $400.00 U.S., because only a small
handful were made each year, while the wholesale price on the same item was
closer to the $200.00 U.S. mark. The entire OM line has been causing
Olympus to bleed for many years, but they stay in it primarily for the
professional photographer and imaging specialist (mostly medical) market to
keep the line alive. Their other lines, such as their digital imaging
line, are actually scheduled for (or have already seen) price *decreases*
at the wholesale end.
Sorry to give everyone bad news, but it appears that yes, OLY equipment's
gonna get even rarer and more expensive. Get 'em while they're
(relatively) cheap.
Garth Wood
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