Why are Canon camcorders more expensive in Europe?

[Clarence Lohan]

They are 50% more expensive and in my country even by 100%.
On the other hand Panasonic camcorders have the same price as in USA.

[Lee Wilson]

Because the market is willing to pay that much.

Don't look for a sense of justice or ethics in corporate affairs (unless it increases margins !).

I am in the UK (rip-off UK as it is known in the press here) - when the whole world paid 79 cents for an itunes download the UK was charged 99 cents.

Why ? Because this is how much they think people are willing to pay.

[Jay Laville]

I am in the UK (rip-off UK as it is known in the press here) .

Or that ignorant fat bastard blithering idiot Brown ... UK as its known in my house :thumbup:

[Swissfox]

Corporate policies & average market prices are only one side of the coin... add conversion rates, average income per capita and the fluctuous money market to the mix and you're getting closer to the truth.

Speaking of Canon camcorders, I know what you mean, though.

Here in Switzerland, the PAL XH-A1S has a regular sales tag of roughly 5000 Swiss Francs or 4300 Dollars US. I could order an NTSC model it via B&H for 300 to 400 Dollars less... BUT... then there's the shipping costs, so it gets almost equal.

However, I've seen PAL models on Videogear.co.uk on sale for 2715 pounds before VAT (less than 3900 Dollars US).

So yes... There are still differences in price levels, but the margin is definitely getting smaller and smaller and it's not such a big deal anymore - Unless you're really living in an area or country that with outrageous prices, I'd suggest buying one "at home". Proper vendors and proper guarantees in case of repairs and the like.

[joe 1008]

Definitely the conversion rates are the biggest point of all: Last year you could buy more than 1,5$ for one €, this year it's still 1,3$.

You have to keep in mind, that the cost of living is about 1:1 though. That means in Europe you pay 2,50€ for a beer and in the US 2,50$. Same with camcorders: In the US they charge, say, 3.000$, while in Europe they put 3000€ on the price tag.

As camera manufacturers are global players, they compensate less gains in one area, due to a weak currency, with bigger gains in others, where the currency is stronger.

So, in a way, the strong Euro is helping to keep cameras cheap - and therefore available - in the US.

[Clarence Lohan]

Yeah.....but Panasonic's camcorders have almost the same price, Sony's are more expensive by 15-20% JVC's and Canon's by 40-50%.
Why Panasonic can sell their camcorders at the same price but JVC and Canon can't?
I live in Eastern Europe ,we are much poorer and Canons are twice the price in our stores !It's insane!