Film Cost Management

[Agulliver]

Did Ilford raise prices, or just the US distributor? I'm not noticing any price increase on Ilford film in the UK.....yet....

 

[mgb74]

Just keep your eyes on the prices at all the usual suspects and checking them regularly. Prices go up and down over time.
.

For example: Samy's has Delta 400 for $4.95 as I write this.

Also, there are private label films - Ultrafine is one - that seem to be well thought of.

 

[TonyB65]

Transport costs are not going up 30%. No costs are. Inflation continues to lag behind the Fed's target of 2%.

As I've already explained, they haven't gone up here in any meaningful way.

 

[TonyB65]

That's what +30% price increases do, kill off part of your customer base. People's salaries never get raises anywhere near this level. There really needs to be some explanation why Ilford needs to raise prices so dramatically.
Is the company in trouble? It simply is not normal for such large price increases. I can't imagine what our customers would do it we tried to hit them with a 30% increase. Most would walk over to our competitors right away.

Just to be clear, they haven't gone up here, only in the US apparently, so how do you know it has anything to do with Ilford?

 

[MattKing]

Just to be clear, they haven't gone up here, only in the US apparently, so how do you know it has anything to do with Ilford?

The notice of increase was in the form of a communication that came from Harman Technology and appeared to be addressed to the US dealers that buy from Roberts, the new US Ilford distributor.
It included price information that appeared to not be intended for anyone not buying wholesale.
We have seen other information that indicates that B&H and Adorama's old retail prices were often less than what other dealers were paying wholesale.
It may be that with the old, now bankrupt distributor, B&H and Adorama were receiving the benefit of special preferential pricing, and what we are seeing now is simply a result of B&H and Adorama having to pay the same price that other retailers are paying.

 

[TonyB65]

That would explain a lot, some of the prices in the US are cheaper than here in the UK, which seemed odd.

 

[pbromaghin]

But at today's B&H prices, this 30% increase brings Delta 400 to about 11% higher than it's direct competitor, TMY-2. When they were 20% under, were they doing it out of the goodness of their hearts because they are just a bunch of nice guys? No, they found themselves leaving a lot of money on the table because they were grossly underpriced compared to what the market would bear, and figured if they were going to raise prices, they should raise them a little bit extra just to save themselves from having to do it again too soon.

 

[pentaxuser]

A quick check with one U.K. retailer indicated that the OP's price rise for D400 only brings it roughly into line with what is being charged for D400 in the U.K. So,yes, it looks as if you are now paying the equivalent of U.K. prices. However your Tmax 400 prices are still way below what we pay. The same U.K. retailer from whom I have quoted is charging $9.45 for Tmax 400 as against $4.89 - the price I saw quoted in one post. Now that spells "Ouch " in anybody's language.

It may be, as has been said, that the U.S. customer is now paying closer to the real cost for D400 for the reasons given. I assume in all of this pricing scenario that we in the U.K. were/are already paying the "right" price for D400 and we are not in danger of a similar large rise in the price of D400 as you in the U.S. have been subject to - but whose to say?
.
Back to TMax for the moment. How it can now cost us in the U.K. the equivalent of $9.45 is beyond me. If there isn't a lot to choose between TMax and D400 then it would suggest that each market might start to "embrace its own product" to a much greater extent which I would have thought will damage Ilford's U.S. sales.

Apart from a few Tmax diehards in the U.K. who may be prepared to buy Tmax at any price, I cannot imagine how Kodak sales here in the U.K. can do other than almost disappear. I like and have used TMax 400 in the past but at nearly $9.50 per roll, the romance has gone well and truly sour

pentaxuser

 

[faberryman]

Prices in the UK include 20% VAT. Prices in the US should be 20% less, and then upon purchase, state and local taxes are added.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Prices in the UK include 20% VAT. Prices in the US should be 20% less, and then upon purchase, state and local taxes are added.

So they should leave the UK and move here, right?



.

 

[RattyMouse]

Prices in the UK include 20% VAT. Prices in the US should be 20% less, and then upon purchase, state and local taxes are added.

Buy film from B & H and if you are in most states, no sales taxes are charged.

 

[faberryman]

I was just pointing out that US and UK prices should not be the same since UK taxes are built into the price. You would expect US prices to be less since sales tax is not included.

 

[Paul Howell]

I was using Foma 200 for all formats, then tried Ultafine 100 and 400 in 35, just added 120 and now only use Foma 200 for 4X5. Ultrafine 200 in 120 is $3.59 a roll, does not include shipping. Not sure coats it, likely Harman. The 35mm 400 can be grainy, not too bad in MCM 100, I shoot 6X9 or 6X6 in MF so not a problem at all. I still use Tmax 400 in 35mm when I need to push.

 

[removed account4]

Buy film from B & H and if you are in most states, no sales taxes are charged.

WRONG
you are supposed to pay USE TAX
there IS tax involved it is just people don't bother paying it ...
its not 28% like in europe, thay laugh at the US
we don't know what sales taxes or high prices are ...
i mean 200$ to fill your car with gas !!!!
people in the us have nothing to complain about

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

B&H doesn't charge any US-based tax on export orders to Australia, which is a good thing.
However, from 1st July this year, GST of 10% will be added to everything at the gate on landing here in Australia, which will likely negate any perceived or actual savings from purchasing in the USA. Previously GST was only applied to orders of and over AUD$1,000.

 

[Sirius Glass]

B&H doesn't charge any US-based tax on export orders to Australia, which is a good thing.
However, from 1st July this year, GST of 10% will be added to everything at the gate on landing here in Australia, which will likely negate any perceived or actual savings from purchasing in the USA. Previously GST was only applied to orders of and over AUD$1,000.

Time to sent in a bunch of orders under AUD$1,000.

 

[Tim Stapp]

I really don't know the in's and out's of all of it. But in the past, I've used Arista Edu Ulltra film because 1; I'm learning and 2: the cost. I have noticed that since Robert's has taken over US distribution that the cost of Ilford has increased and that the cost of Arista Edu Ultra has as well: to the point that Ilford is only slightly higher. Given the difference in cost, I'll probably go with Ilford from my local brick and mortar store as opposed to Freestyle or B&H.

I'm not sure how much of the increased cost has to do with the new Ilford distributor (Roberts) having to set up a new distribution center has to do with the increase in the US, but I find it interesting that the cost of the Arista EDU product has increased to the point that the cost is essentially the same (within 10%).

'

 

[RattyMouse]

WRONG
you are supposed to pay USE TAX
there IS tax involved it is just people don't bother paying it ...
its not 28% like in europe, thay laugh at the US
we don't know what sales taxes or high prices are ...
i mean 200$ to fill your car with gas !!!!
people in the us have nothing to complain about

Yeah, I'll get right on paying my use tax. LOL

 

[removed account4]

Yeah, I'll get right on paying my use tax. LOL

as i said, there is a tax ...

 

[Nodda Duma]

WRONG
you are supposed to pay USE TAX
there IS tax involved it is just people don't bother paying it ...
its not 28% like in europe, thay laugh at the US
we don't know what sales taxes or high prices are ...
i mean 200$ to fill your car with gas !!!!
people in the us have nothing to complain about

Use tax depends on your state (none here in NH). So I am supposed to pay zilch.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yeah, I'll get right on paying my use tax. LOL

Oh yes, me too. I have years if back taxes like these to pay to California. I will need a wheel barrow to carry all the money to the state treasury.


.

 

[faberryman]

So they should leave the UK and move here, right?

Only if they want to. I was only pointing out that in comparing US/UK prices you need to remember the impact of VAT in the equation.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

That's a 32% increase in price! WOW! I wonder why Ilford found the need to hit customers with such a massive price increase. Inflation is barely 2% globally if even that. Some costs are rising more than 2% of course but nothing is even remotely going up that fast.

Private equity wants their cash back from the Harmon purchase.

Exactly. And here is no reason to support it with our money. Someone mentioned Arista 400, this is it for me.

 

[removed account4]

Use tax depends on your state (none here in NH). So I am supposed to pay zilch.

yep but in NH u have a viewshed tax so if your shed has a nice view you have to pay the taxman for it

 

[Nodda Duma]

yep but in NH u have a viewshed tax so if your shed has a nice view you have to pay the taxman for it

NH towns’ major source of income is property tax, so yes they squeeze every drop out they can. Nevertheless, I’m still paying 1/3 the taxes to state & local that I was in BFE California...for more house and more property, better income, etc.