Some retailers have now increased Vortex high end scope prices by as much as 50%, going from 1650 to 2500 (Razor LHT 3-15x42). Maybe the NZ dealers have no choice because their prices are set by Vortex USA, so I am reluctant to blame them.
All high end Vortex are made in Japan (sans AMG line). Japan has not experienced high inflation at about 2~3%. NZD is actually going up against JPY slightly. It is just that USD has gone up crazy against all other currencies. But non-AMG vortex are not made in the USA.
Basically, Japanese OEM is unlikely to have (significantly) increased their prices. Vortex USA buys scopes from OEM and sells to NZ, they did not have to increase their export prices.
Good thing we have decent competition for scopes. Vortex was always a weaker compared brand than Zeiss, Leupold, Swaro, Khales and Nightforce. It lived on perceived better value for money. Vortex's increase in price just made its competition look more appealing.
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