[Brian Considine]

Without getting too much into a financial debate I think there is too much comparison between the UK & (mostly) German markets. The markets are very, very different & the one thing that tends to get overlooked often is the fact that three of the major German companies were, until recently family owned & run.

A business, largely family run is very different to a plc.

Manufactures, especially when plc,s are in the business of making money & are responsible to their shareholders - they will price their products based on a fine ballacing act between what the market can sustain & what they need to make after they have paid for their goods. If they make too little the shareholders whinge, if they make too much the purchasers whinge. If they get it wrong substancially either way they will not be popular with one or the other.

Time will tell.

 

[Brian Considine]

As a European modeller it's not something I've had to consider as most of my models have been the "other" side of £100 for some years.

Having said that my purchase's have slowed down a lot in the last 12 months or so - a combination of now being fortunate enough to have most of what I want & belt tightening.