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Archive 2025Sony A1 II availability ?
p.8 #1Sony A1 II availability ?
j4nu wrote:
Unfortunately I don't think they will be able to avoid it. It might not be a 1:1 increase but I wouldn't be surprised if we see prices jump by 15% across the board.They will most definitely not eat the tariff and sell at a loss. For starters I expect they will cancel any planned deliveries that would be affected and search for ways to avoid them. Like everybody else. Meantime this might mean better availability of the A1II in Europe.Wouldn't that simply make the price in US close(r) to EU price with VAT 
...
While I get this was tongue in cheek, let me state that things are a tad more complex than that.
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health and social benefits particularly for those with an income where this matters. Not the worst trade off, methinks. Then a big chunk is due to EU online shopping laws allowing no questions asked returns for any end customer. Which is expensive, but also something you do not necessarily have to pay as a professional (this is what professional shopping accounts are used for). Lastly those tariffs are huge (36% for Thailand), which I believe is a good deal more than the usual difference in price between US and EU.
Anyway, I really don't think the worst effect of tariffs and the coming trade wars is camera prices.
Daran wrote
robert_in_ca wrote
Alex Phan wrote
let just hope Sony will not increase price due to the new 46% tax to stuff coming out of Thailand ...While I get this was tongue in cheek, let me state that things are a tad more complex than that.
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health and social benefits particularly for those with an income where this matters. Not the worst trade off, methinks. Then a big chunk is due to EU online shopping laws allowing no questions asked returns for any end customer. Which is expensive, but also something you do not necessarily have to pay as a professional (this is what professional shopping accounts are used for). Lastly those tariffs are huge (36% for Thailand), which I believe is a good deal more than the usual difference in price between US and EU.
Anyway, I really don't think the worst effect of tariffs and the coming trade wars is camera prices.
Apr 03, 2025 at 11:39 AM
p.8 #2Sony A1 II availability ?
Daran wrote:
Unfortunately I don't think they will be able to avoid it. It might not be a 1:1 increase but I wouldn't be surprised if we see prices jump by 15% across the board.They will most definitely not eat the tariff and sell at a loss. For starters I expect they will cancel any planned deliveries that would be affected and search for ways to avoid them. Like everybody else. Meantime this might mean better availability of the A1II in Europe.Wouldn't that simply make the price in US close(r) to EU price with VAT ...While I get this was tongue in cheek, let me state that things are a tad more complex than that.
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health...Show more →
I was also half-joking, hence ...
j4nu wrote
Daran wrote
robert_in_ca wrote
Alex Phan wrote
let just hope Sony will not increase price due to the new 46% tax to stuff coming out of Thailand ...For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health...Show more →
I was also half-joking, hence
...Apr 03, 2025 at 02:52 PM
p.8 #3Sony A1 II availability ?
Just ordered one at the "old" price from BH. Here's to hoping that they will honor the order despite what Amazon did (canceling all A1ii pre-orders).
Apr 06, 2025 at 06:44 AM
p.8 #4Sony A1 II availability ?
Daran wrote:
Unfortunately I don't think they will be able to avoid it. It might not be a 1:1 increase but I wouldn't be surprised if we see prices jump by 15% across the board.They will most definitely not eat the tariff and sell at a loss. For starters I expect they will cancel any planned deliveries that would be affected and search for ways to avoid them. Like everybody else. Meantime this might mean better availability of the A1II in Europe.Wouldn't that simply make the price in US close(r) to EU price with VAT ...While I get this was tongue in cheek, let me state that things are a tad more complex than that.
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health...Show more →
There are some States which have no sales tax such as Oregon.
j4nu wrote
Daran wrote
robert_in_ca wrote
Alex Phan wrote
let just hope Sony will not increase price due to the new 46% tax to stuff coming out of Thailand ...For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health...Show more →
There are some States which have no sales tax such as Oregon.
Apr 06, 2025 at 09:11 AM
p.8 #5Sony A1 II availability ?
magicmaze wrote:
Just ordered one at the "old" price from BH. Here's to hoping that they will honor the order despite what Amazon did (canceling all A1ii pre-orders).
What Amazon did is indeed a little bit strange. I would imagine it's Sony USA that will pay the import duty unless Amazon sources those directly from Japan which will be similar to gray market. And I would think Sony USA is still trying to decide what the situation is (whether it will be reversed/lowered in near term) and how much to hike the price. I don't think any price hike has been decided and communicated to the retailers. Otherwise, we will hear more from different stores. So as far as retailers are concerned, they can still get the camera at the current price until informed otherwise. So there is no point for them to jump the gun at this stage.
Just ordered one at the "old" price from BH. Here's to hoping that they will honor the order despite what Amazon did (canceling all A1ii pre-orders).
What Amazon did is indeed a little bit strange. I would imagine it's Sony USA that will pay the import duty unless Amazon sources those directly from Japan which will be similar to gray market. And I would think Sony USA is still trying to decide what the situation is (whether it will be reversed/lowered in near term) and how much to hike the price. I don't think any price hike has been decided and communicated to the retailers. Otherwise, we will hear more from different stores. So as far as retailers are concerned, they can still get the camera at the current price until informed otherwise. So there is no point for them to jump the gun at this stage.
Apr 06, 2025 at 10:25 AM
p.8 #6Sony A1 II availability ?
Did anyone else see the used A1II on B&H yesterday? It was about $6150.00 USD. It's now gone unsurprisingly.
Apr 06, 2025 at 02:51 PM
p.8 #7Sony A1 II availability ?
DBLA wrote:
Did anyone else see the used A1II on B&H yesterday? It was about $6150.00 USD. It's now gone unsurprisingly.
Yeah, I briefly thought about it but it was a condition 9, only had 90 days B&H warranty, and only ~$400 off. Obviously there's an A1ii premium built in, but would rather wait with those circumstances (especially since there are rumors that the next batch is coming in May).
Did anyone else see the used A1II on B&H yesterday? It was about $6150.00 USD. It's now gone unsurprisingly.
Yeah, I briefly thought about it but it was a condition 9, only had 90 days B&H warranty, and only ~$400 off. Obviously there's an A1ii premium built in, but would rather wait with those circumstances (especially since there are rumors that the next batch is coming in May).
Apr 06, 2025 at 03:31 PM
p.8 #8Sony A1 II availability ?
DBLA wrote:
Did anyone else see the used A1II on B&H yesterday? It was about $6150.00 USD. It's now gone unsurprisingly.
One of my friends was sitting on his phone right when B&H reopened, and he still missed out.
I'm sure there were many people doing the same.
Did anyone else see the used A1II on B&H yesterday? It was about $6150.00 USD. It's now gone unsurprisingly.
One of my friends was sitting on his phone right when B&H reopened, and he still missed out.
I'm sure there were many people doing the same.
Apr 07, 2025 at 09:31 AM
p.8 #9Sony A1 II availability ?
I'm not sure how VAT is offset in other EU countries but in the UK my understanding is you have to be VAT registered. To get to that point your business needs a turnover in excess of £85,000pa (AFAIK).
VAT is more expensive than most US states' sales tax (I think there are a couple of states where sales tax is at a comparable rate).
re: pricing. US prices were always a little cheaper but over the last 7 or 8 years it's crept up so the $ price is the £ price despite a £ (always) being worth more than a $. Not great but it is what it is.
The tariffs, well they're another rabbit hole. I don't agree with them and think they'll be damaging.
There's a good video by f-stoppers talking about tariffs and who pays what along with reasons why having things made in the US is difficult.
Daran wrote:
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health and social benefits particularly for those with an income where this matters. Not the worst trade off, methinks. Then...Show more →
VAT is more expensive than most US states' sales tax (I think there are a couple of states where sales tax is at a comparable rate).
re: pricing. US prices were always a little cheaper but over the last 7 or 8 years it's crept up so the $ price is the £ price despite a £ (always) being worth more than a $. Not great but it is what it is.
The tariffs, well they're another rabbit hole. I don't agree with them and think they'll be damaging.
There's a good video by f-stoppers talking about tariffs and who pays what along with reasons why having things made in the US is difficult.
Daran wrote:
For starters EU prices include VAT. Professional photographers can trade VAT expenses for their equipment against the VAT they charge their customers, so effectively they don't have to pay the VAT. While the US also has a sales tax, it seems US online shopping is somehow (usually?) exempt and stated prices never include it. EU VAT (DE is 19%) tends to be a deal higher than US sales taxes (3%-7%) if even applicable but much of this is going to health and social benefits particularly for those with an income where this matters. Not the worst trade off, methinks. Then...Show more →
Apr 07, 2025 at 09:57 AM
p.8 #11Sony A1 II availability ?
Connected with B&H Support and they said that they were advised by Sony on 3/26 that there is no ETA on any inbound stock 
Apr 07, 2025 at 10:53 AM
p.8 #12Sony A1 II availability ?
twodees wrote:
I'm not sure how VAT is offset in other EU countries but in the UK my understanding is you have to be VAT registered. To get to that point your business needs a turnover in excess of £85,000pa (AFAIK).
In Germany you have to register yourself in order to write an invoice at all, so mandatory for all professionals. There is an option to avoid the hassle of VAT for very low revenue crafts. But you if you want, you can start collecting VAT deductions from day one of your profession and you'll get that money back even if you end up turning a loss and closing you shop later.
Are you sure this can't be handled similarly in the UK? I was under the impression that opening a small shop is actually easier in the UK. In particular the German version of a "Ltd" is cumbersome to establish.
I'm not sure how VAT is offset in other EU countries but in the UK my understanding is you have to be VAT registered. To get to that point your business needs a turnover in excess of £85,000pa (AFAIK).
In Germany you have to register yourself in order to write an invoice at all, so mandatory for all professionals. There is an option to avoid the hassle of VAT for very low revenue crafts. But you if you want, you can start collecting VAT deductions from day one of your profession and you'll get that money back even if you end up turning a loss and closing you shop later.
Are you sure this can't be handled similarly in the UK? I was under the impression that opening a small shop is actually easier in the UK. In particular the German version of a "Ltd" is cumbersome to establish.
Apr 07, 2025 at 03:19 PM
p.8 #13Sony A1 II availability ?
I'll take a look Daran. I find it all pretty confusing to be honest so I've kept it as simple as possible so I can doi it all myself rather than pay an accountant, thus everything (ie invoices) goes through the business which is classed as sole-trader then additionally I do a little work on the side for a friend which isn't photography-related and for his books I'm classed as self-employed as that works out better for me rather than having taxes deducted at source (ie via his business).
Apr 08, 2025 at 05:03 AM
p.8 #14Sony A1 II availability ?
Arriving tomorrow 
just in time
Headed to Spain, Portugal and France, STOKED!!
just in time Headed to Spain, Portugal and France, STOKED!!
Apr 08, 2025 at 02:43 PM
p.8 #15Sony A1 II availability ?
Bigsurfvan wrote:
Arriving tomorrow just in time
Headed to Spain, Portugal and France, STOKED!!
Where did you order?
Arriving tomorrow
just in time Headed to Spain, Portugal and France, STOKED!!
Where did you order?
Apr 08, 2025 at 08:40 PM
p.8 #17Sony A1 II availability ?
Ordered on 11 March from B&H. Shipped today, 10 April! Sooner than I was hoping.
Apr 10, 2025 at 09:44 AM
p.8 #18Sony A1 II availability ?
Cloudbow wrote:
Ordered on 11 March from B&H. Shipped today, 10 April! Sooner than I was hoping.
Congrats! Seems like the supply is catching up based on the increasingly recent order dates in this thread.
Ordered on 11 March from B&H. Shipped today, 10 April! Sooner than I was hoping.
Congrats! Seems like the supply is catching up based on the increasingly recent order dates in this thread.
Apr 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM
p.8 #19Sony A1 II availability ?
magicmaze wrote:
Congrats! Seems like the supply is catching up based on the increasingly recent order dates in this thread.
Thank you!
Cloudbow wrote
Ordered on 11 March from B&H. Shipped today, 10 April! Sooner than I was hoping.Thank you!
Apr 10, 2025 at 04:46 PM
p.8 #20Sony A1 II availability ?
My A1 II is on the way from Kenmore Camera in Washington state. Pre-ordered Feb 13th,2025
Apr 13, 2025 at 10:31 AM