[Leica] LEICAUSA- service

["Sal DiMarco,Jr." <sdmp007@pressroom.com>]

Luggers,
    After reading all the posts about gray market purchases, and the alleged
failings of the Leica USA repair department. I'd like to point out a few of
things.
    No one said a word about another company's (Nikon) policy of refusing to
handle gray market repairs. This is one way of "handling" the problem. Leica
doesn't do this. Maybe they should.
    Two, my experience with Tri-State (eons ago) was bad. I purchased a
Pentax Spot meter. When it arrived, it was obviously used, and had someone
else's name on the warranty cards. They refused to take it back, and I had a
six month fight with the help of a credit card company to get all my money
back. I never dealt with them again.
    Three, the original problem with the lens is still a secret. The repair
may require shipment back to Germany. FYI- I don't think they would ship it
back to Germany by the cheapest way possible to "punish" the customer but
rather it would be part of a larger shipment of stuff.
    Four, if the original poster stated, he needed the lens for a major trip
in September, I know Leica USA would try to accommodate him.
    Five, inspite of what some of you feel, Leica USA does care about its
customers both amatuer and pro. They do try, but we often forget they are a
small company and can not react as fast as we would like.
    Lastly, John Colliers' description of the gray market/ repair problem
was on target. If you want to save a few dollars by buying gray, you take
you chances.

Happy Sanpping,
Sal DiMarco, Jr.