As mentioned in the book “Collecting Cameras Through The Internet” it pays to work internationally and profit from market differences. Two factors are often overlooked, although they can have considerable impact on the price of a vintage camera:

• currency
• customs
• shipping rates

For example, if you were in the US and would buy a classic camera on eBay Germany now, you would be bidding in Euros. A Euro currently being about $1.35, whereas it was about $ 1.19 the beginning of 2006, makes quite a difference in the dollar amount you would have to pay. Customs may want to have their share (depending on value and shipping costs).

A factor with an increasing impact is shipping rates. After recent increases internationally, shipping rates can easily be $25-$35 if you don’t choose for the cheaper economy services (with long delivery times or no registration). That has a big impact for cameras in the $50-$150 price range, for instance. 

Customs rates will depend on your own country. Currencies and postage rates from Germany, France and Netherlands are available in English at  EasyPostageRates.com. Helpful for deciding where to buy or where to sell.

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