I went to buy a Brompton today, and my local dealer told me that as of two to three weeks ago, Brompton has advised their dealers to start selling at 2012 prices. In my case, it appears to add about $200 to the price of the bike (much of the increase from last year's prices appears to be a higher cost for the raw lacquer finish, which I'm now having second thoughts about).

My question for the group is, have others encountered this? Are other dealers already selling at 2012 prices? I was under the impression that Brompton's 2011 price list was in effect until 31 December 2011, and if that is the case, I'll ask my dealer to double-check with Brompton regarding their prices.

Thanks in advance!

N/M
I seem to buy 2nd hand of late.

A GB currency collapse would mean the dollar price would be less.

If the dealer has what you want in stock then you should get it for 2011 price; if it has to be ordered and made up, then it will be delivered in 2012 and will be at the new price.

Seems fair enough.

The exchange rate hasn't varied greatly over the last year and is pretty much back where it was one year ago.

The Brompton site has the M and S types at £790. . . am I right in thinking they were £690 or thereabouts for 2011? Or have I imagined this?

As far as I can see the basic Brompton now cost 700£ an increase of 10£ from 2011 prices. Although Swedish prices have decreased by approximately the same amount...

Where did you get that sterling price from Lao?

Ehm, I have saved the Brompton B-Spoke order form from 2011 and compared it to the 2012 version (if you meant that). The price on sterling compared to other currencies is from valuta.se.

If that's the case, then it explains why they moved to 2012 prices a couple of weeks ago, as it's currently a six week wait for a bike. My understanding (which was likely a mis-understanding) was that the price applied at the time the bike was ordered, not the time it would be delivered. My dealer has only one Brompton in stock, and it's his own personal Brompton, so I have no option but to order a bike.

UPDATE: Someone made an error in the initial calculation of the price of my bike, and counted the raw lacquer cost twice. That's how other paint colours are priced, but the raw lacquer price applies to the whole frame, and should therefore be counted only once. So the correct 2012 price for my bike (M3L with raw lacquer and S bag) ends up almost the same as the 2011 price, which is a pleasant surprise.

Yes, I concur - I had to order the bike too (at at the 2012 prices) but the bike turned out to be actually I think less or close to the same (I ordered the M6R) - than the 2011 price (I think with the currency exchange) although the price went up for 2012. I ordered the raw lacquer as well. . . .

But I am hoping for a 4-5 week delivery date We'll see! Good luck with your order!

So have I. But that market is rather limited in the number available as well as noticeable price hikes too with more desperate/bargain hunting people hunting for any sort of bicycle (or anything else for that matter) due to the new bicycle boom or craze right now. Prices are going up rather quickly there too assuming you can find the bike/other product you want. The prices will probably drop again when the economic hard times actually pick up to pre-recession levels again.

As late as a decade ago, I was able to buy used bicycles or other things at a decent prices. Not anymore.

And good luck with yours! Six weeks to delivery is fine for me. I'm not in any kind of hurry for my bike, as it is the wet season here in the Pacific Northwest (and I've become a bit of a fair-weather rider in my old age), but I can imagine that it's still nice weather in Southern Cal. Cheers!

We don't sell folding bikes, but we are a bike shop. 2012 bikes, which are in stock now and on the floor, have been in for about a month or two now, are at 2012 prices. 2011 bikes are at 2011 prices or lower. There have been price increases on all bikes and accessories basically across the industry.

Thanks! I know - I'm on a trip to DC then New Orleans this week - wish I had it; otherwise I'm fine to wait - my next trip is Hawaii the end of January - and I think I'm gonna take it! (for business)...

Brompton's annual price increase is fairly consistent, about 2% above inflation and kicking-in around end of the year. I didn't need my next Brompton til about April but I ordered in late October to be sure of getting the 2011 prices. I priced out my spec and it is now 6% higher in 2012 prices, which is less than I thought as UK inflation has been 5%.

I've kept my invoices from 2003 for all my 4 Bromptons and my 2007 one for example is a M6R-X and it cost me
The same 2012 price is 700+120+500+10+30+100+15+20+25=1520 so a 55% increase from 2007 prices, an average of 9.1%/pa.

The $/Sterling exchange rate throughout all of 2011 had a max/min of
$1.67070/$1.53440 and yet their 2012 exchange rate is 1.62 which is a little above-average, plus UK prices include salestax and US prices do not. That adds up to most USA paying >10% than UK.

So tough! If you wanted a cheap Brompton go back in time and buy in UK, you'd earn more interest than money in bank over same period.
I'm possibly selling a Brompton, its makes most sense to store it dry and wait til I need the space or cash and then sell. My 2003 Brompton I squirted with anti-rust stuff and stored it at my mom's house and used it when I visited, I reckoned I'd not use it for a while so in my last viisit I sold it, and sold it for what I paid for it in 2003. My 2006 and 2007 purchases, I deliberately bought Ti because quality keeps value, and Ti now is very hard to get and almost double the cost.

I also can move my parts between my Bromptons, I'm moving wheels and lights between two Bromptons to get the specification how I like, and this last year I've moved parts around to make the type of bike I need, e.g. I was commuting in bay area for 4 months and made a S6L-X which is fast flat & windy configuration and shortly it will get a replacement hub and its hub end up on a steel frame for a mountain touring bike.

Can you imagine the problems Dahon buyers get, they wince at the cost of Bromptons, buy a lower-cost bike and lose most of their money when they sell it and much less interchangeability of custom parts.

I ordered my S6L on Oct 18th and it was delivered to the California dealer on Dec 3rd, so that was 6.5 weeks.

I ordered mine on Nov 26 - I believe the shop put it in on the 30th - so I'm still waiting but dying to get my M6R!

Prices have gone up quite a lot in the last couple of years. My M3L costs £600 when I got it end of 2009.

There was a big increase 2010 with inflation, VAT and our poor economy etc.

Regards

Jerry

I bought my 2 just b4 Xmas, the bikes were in stock and needed prepping, so we got 10% off and said we would pick up on the tuesday after Xmas. The shop started its sale that day 10% off, plus an extra 5% for facebook friends. Went in and got the extra 5% off So " x M6Ls for£1320, £660 each, plus a pair of covers, 2 X Cateye 520's 1800cd power, 2 x Knogg Skinks in black, Cateye Cordless Velo, Kryptonite Evolution and long cable.