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Let's set the politics aside....

I'm really more interested in your opinions on whether to expect the prices of quality shotguns from Spain and Italy to decline very much....how much?.....and how soon?

Based on what the consultants my company works with are telling us about currencies and raw amterial prices I say they'll remain stable for the forseeable future. I'll even bet a dollar on it.

Just returned from 3 1/2 weeks in Italy, jerry. I got the same analysis as David's.

Some here are not cogent on what makes prices go up and down. It is unlikely there will be any major change in prices charged by a manufacturer in any one country. However, the value of currency from country to country can change dramatically and in a hurry. Currently, the Euro is in jeopardy against the dollar, however, due to the Obamination and his policies to destroy capitalism in the US, drive the middle class to extinction making it a larger underclass, tax anything that moves then tax it again, and print money like Zimbabwe, the result will be massive stagflation and a significant drop of the dollar vs the Euro. Even the Chicoms don't want this as the value of the dollars they hold (over 2 trillion now) will drop like a stone. Even Putin told the US in January a year ago NOT TO GO DOWN THE MARXIST PATH. But the Slease in Power was raised a Marxist by Marxists, schooled by Marxist professors, taught by a Marxist preacher, married a Marxcist, led by Marxist advisors, appointed Marxist "Tzars", etc. He won't change until he is kicked out of office. VOTE!

Regardless of what the exchange rate was in 2009, prices of Spanish and Italian guns were better in the US than in the EU.
The big US market "subsidises" these items, with makers and dealers cutting margins in order to be competitive and be able to export, even with a high currency.
Same goes with cars and other things, just see how much it costs a Mercedes here in the PIIGS compared to the US.....

HM

I hear he even likes Marx Brothers movies.

Did the US down economy create any decrease in gun prices either new or used? Not that I have seen. Makers, dealers and all sellers must take the long term view or they will fail. In the long term prices must remain at their current levels or near their current levels and go up with inflation. To do otherwise will only lead to failure of the maker or seller.

Used may become harder to sell at market prices but they are the only segment which there is any real margin and what incentive is there to sell your inventory cheap today if you may have to pay more to replace it later? Only the desperate will sell cheap in an effort to stay afloat. If you buy right or have owned a gun for a long time your investment will be low enough that you have a decent margin. Labor is high, materials are not getting cheaper and the need to make a decent profit at all levels remain. Dollar up or dollar down makes no real difference in the real world. The market will see little decrease in prices. I just hope makers can keep hanging on in these hard times.

It's been my observation the used prices are down 10-20% from two years ago.