FP4+ more in GBP than USD by a mile - How Possible?

[FRANOL]

Here in Croatia Efke films are cheaper than in USA.
In Croatia Efke R100/120 and B25/135 are 5,47$ in Freestyle they cost 5,49$. Thanks God that in Croatia is something cheaper than in USA.

 

[zsas]

You can replace 'FP4+' in the title with pretty much any consumer product. It's just the way it goes in the UK I'm afraid.

True! I think Marmite is even cheaper here in the states

 

[keithwms]

Oh I wasn't offering any justification, I was just looking at what might be involved. We'd also need the oil price, the silver price, shipping costs, etc. And all of that is less important to the price than the company's own internal projections of where those costs are going.

It's more complicated than a simple exchange rate, of course. A company sited in the UK needs to import certain raw materials and then pay local currency for labor, and then pay distribution etc.

Overall, I think we can consider film a commodity of sorts, akin to corn or sugar or wheat... or pork bellies All commodity prices are in fluctuation right now, and have been for some time. There is very little certainty about currencies and the demand levels, across the board. We have the euro situation, and that is fully hedged (if not overhedged) in the US, but then we also have global demand creeping along or perhaps even receding. People are placing very large contrary bets on quantitative easing and on deflation and inflation of the dollar. The futures contracts are going nuts over all this. I worry about the little guy finding prices for common items going all over the place relative to salary. Businesses based on commodities are in real peril. What is a handsome profit one day is a big loss the next.

What needs to be done, in my opinion, is to lock all the major trading currencies, do whatever needs to be done to stabilize the energy prices, and restore some stability to the commodities. That'll give business, and the consumer, some much needed predictability.

The best strategy for the individual consumer is find a good price, and lock in that price with as big a purchase as possible. In other words, if you see a reasonable deal on bulk film or film-related products, then buy it immediately.

And I have probably, yet again, said more than anybody cares to read !

 

[lensman_nh]

True! I think Marmite is even cheaper here in the states

When you can find it! It's like looking for unicorn poop. Tastes like it too

 

[Smudger]

Some comparisons between Ilford films from a major New York supplier,and New Zealand retail prices,converted into US dollars : HP5 120 $3.89 = here 9.60.....XP2/36 $6.09 =here 13.60
Delta 100/36 $5.69 = here 14.40...........FP4 120 $4.25 =here 9.60.
And the NZ distributor has no mention of Ilford films or printing paper on their website -just the inkjet range.

 

[clayne]

Some comparisons between Ilford films from a major New York supplier,and New Zealand retail prices,converted into US dollars : HP5 120 $3.89 = here 9.60.....XP2/36 $6.09 =here 13.60
Delta 100/36 $5.69 = here 14.40...........FP4 120 $4.25 =here 9.60.
And the NZ distributor has no mention of Ilford films or printing paper on their website -just the inkjet range.

Used to live in NZ, anything imported felt like a total rip-off. It's almost like the importers knew exactly what they were doing too.

 

[Maris]

I don't care about Ilford prices IF Ilford actually gets the money. What I object is the big rip from importers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. These people contribute nothing to Ilford's returns from its film production investment and the continuing viability of film manufacture. Only film users do that for Ilford. How hard can it be to send money to Iford and they mail you the film? That way Ilford gets virtually ALL the money and maybe stays in business indefinitely.

 

[zsas]

Tough question Maris. Here in the states, I usually get mine from Amazon, free shipping, how on earth could a UK company ship me a roll or two w/o a distribution arm in at least each continent to keep costs low? When they leave those logistics to the pros like (Freestyle, BH, Adorama, etc.,) it seems to work in a way that they can focus on their core competency (film production) and not distribution. I don't know of many manufactures that you can buy from directly in the film production industry?

 

[Tim Gray]

I don't know of many manufactures that you can buy from directly in the film production industry?

For motion picture stock, it's quite easy to order directly from Kodak. But I know what you mean

 

[michael stevens]

Maybe I should just drive up to Mobberley, knock on the door, and ask them to fill up the boot with HP5+. No distribution costs, no retailer's mark-up: I should get it for the same price as the Americans do!

 

[Moopheus]

Maybe I should just drive up to Mobberley, knock on the door, and ask them to fill up the boot with HP5+. No distribution costs, no retailer's mark-up: I should get it for the same price as the Americans do!

You might want to call first and ask what kind of quantity you need to buy to do this.

 

[zsas]

...fill up the boot with HP5+...

Ha, never heard of a boot being the trunk! Nice!

I picture Simon waiting in the loading dock as barrels of film flank him, shoveling loose rolls into the boots of awaiting cars....ha

 

[John Shriver]

Everything is more expensive in the UK. A 5 USD lunch would be a 5 UKP lunch. (That was even more painful when the pound was at 2 USD.)

 

[michael stevens]

You might want to call first and ask what kind of quantity you need to buy to do this.

Maybe I should clear out the glove box too.

Actually it would be interesting to know how much qualifies you for a (presumably) gigantic discount.

 

[clayne]

Everything is more expensive in the UK. A 5 USD lunch would be a 5 UKP lunch. (That was even more painful when the pound was at 2 USD.)

Ah but then the £ would have been stronger and I would have expected your lunches to be cheaper. Or maybe it would have scaled proportionally within the country and your lunch would have been equal to 2 rolls of Tri-X rather than one?

 

[Tom Stanworth]

You won't get the US price in the UK even if you turn up to collect. I have been informed by someone who has insight into this that the price is set for ALL UK wholesaler/retailer purchases. Its a set price and that's the end of it.

As for the £5 equalling $5, that is true for many things but not for an awful lot. Pint of real ale in a bar/pub in Washington D.C? $6-9, with most around the $7-8 mark. Try the price for quality bakery bread. You are looking at $4 a loaf and up. Cars and electricals are cheap tho. But with Ilford film it is more in pounds than dollars i.e $36 vs $26.

 

[benjiboy]

Tom, it's illegal in Britain for manufacturers to dictate to retailers what price their products are sold at by them http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retail_price_maintenance according to The Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1956, unfortunately I'm old enough to remember when this law was passed and supermarkets and other stores started discounting products which before manufacturers would stop supplying if they they sold goods cheaper than their Recommended Retail Price, and whatever retailer you bought camera gear from sold it at the same price in those days.