400 percent price increase: webcam prices explode

Home office has become the norm for millions of Germans and this is also reflected in the demand for webcams and their prices. If you don’t already have one, you have to dig deep into your pocket.

Work market

1. Clinic of the University of Munich, Munich.
2. Scheer GmbH, Saarbrücken, Basel, Switzerland

A Logitech HD Pro C920 for 175 euros? Nothing unusual in the crown crisis. Since the price is regulated by supply and demand and the latter has increased considerably, the webcam, which normally costs around 55 euros, now sells for around three times the price.

The only slightly better Logitech C925e also sells for just $ 175, although there certainly are dealers who charge $ 250 for the device, if it’s available. Before the crisis, the price was around 60 euros.

There are also significantly simpler branded products from reputable retailers that no longer cost less than € 100, so in price comparisons there are often lower prices, but it turns out that the camera is not available at all. In some cases, nameless models are even cheaper.

The Statista portal shows that a 400 percent price increase should be assumed for webcams. This is the sample item that has become the most expensive. Statista explains that haircut kits have price increases of 319 percent, referring to products popular with the pandemic on Amazon and Amazon Marketplace.

Employers are responsible for office equipment.

The problem is particularly difficult for freelancers and employers who need video conferencing solutions for themselves or their employees to stay fit to work in the crisis. Basically, the employer is responsible for their employees’ office equipment, but that should be difficult right now. What remains are employee smartphones, which also run Zoom, Skype, and many other conferencing solutions, or just deep wallet control.