Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/04/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]A few years ago, I went into Lemon Camera, Osaka, and politely asked the salesman at the counter if he spoke English and he replied, "Do you speak Japanese?". I turned around and walked out. Japan is is not a foreigner--friendly country despite their (undeserved) reputation for politeness. -- On Sat, 4/23/11, Peter Cheyne <geordiepete211 at yahoo.co.uk> wrote: From: Peter Cheyne <geordiepete211 at yahoo.co.uk> Subject: [Leica] Leica Japan stories To: lug at leica-users.org Date: Saturday, April 23, 2011, 9:24 AM About three weeks ago I made a trip Tokyo.? While there I visited Leica in Ginza, wanting to try the 24/1.4.? I asked an assistant if they had the lens, he nodded, said yes in Japanese and went into the back room.? I sat down and waited.? And waited.? And waited.? My girlfriend decided to go out and buy cinema tickets as we had already been waiting 15 minutes by then.? I waited ten minutes longer, then asked the assistant if he had found a copy.? He said, "Oh, you can't try it!"? I was so shocked and insulted that I just said goodbye and left the store.? Being told they have it, then being ignored, reminded me of a scene in The Pink Panther where someone asked Clouseau if he knows the right time, and he replied, "Yes, thank you", and walked on. Another irk.? Leica Japan quoted me ?180,000 to repair the shutter speed problem on my M7 (warranty just expired).? Don Goldberg quoted me $180.? He serviced it thoroughly, speedily and courteously, and it's a gem again.? Before he received it, he guessed it needed a new shutter dial contact assembly.? When he got it, his guess was confirmed.? What on Earth did Leica Japan think to make a quote of ?180,000?? Maybe its their standard practice to replace the innards and not use their nous, training, or experience to efficiently address the actual fault.? I have been thinking to write a letter of complaint about this to Leica Solms.? Do you think I should, or is it a bit much and not really my place to do so?? Perhaps Leica Japan are onto a good thing, and Japanese customers often uncritically pay what they are quoted. Peter Cheyne _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information