[Leica] Leica M8 -- too fragile for the real world - or JUST OFFER SMASHING IT! :-)

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

Frank Filippone offered:
Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica M8 -- too fragile for the real world - or 
don'tsweat while using it...


>I think it may also say that  your warranty is international in nature and
> that you may send it to any Leica repair facility for the same warranty
> coverage......  check it....
>
> Sounds like a communication problem... no one looked up your Warranty to 
> see
> what you are entitled to.....
>
> Regardless of Ted's advice, send them a  polite note ( or preferably phone
> call) and point out your warranty, and give them a chance to do the right
> thing....
>
> If not, do as Ted suggested and hammer them.......<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Nathan  mon ami,
Of course you could use my method after complete frustration trying to get 
Leica Canada to give me a new R4 replacement instead of them trying to fix 
whatever the problem was with a new R4 camera they insisted could be fixed 
by their service department.  So after a half dozen returns for service and 
the same thing happened, once right out of the box "after repair?" it was 
still malfunctioning and immediately returned.

I finally told them I was coming to Toronto on assignment and wanted a new 
camera handed to me on arrival or I'd smash the useless camera to little 
pieces on the front steps of the head office while the national media, wire 
service and TV networks were covering the event !

I arrived and was given a big story to relax give the camera to the service 
department... ( this would've been the 7th time the service department had 
it to "fix!")  I was ready to "FIX" the repair department staff! "We'll take 
you for lunch and when we get back all will be well!"  Everyone smiling, but 
me. :-(

I reminded them what was going to happen at noon with the media being on the 
front steps to watch me smash the camera if they didn't give me a 
replacement.  They of course still thought I was joking.  We went for a nice 
lunch and upon return there were TV cameras and stills guys and gals asking 
"Hey Ted when is the smashing going to happen?"  I smiled and offered "In a 
few minutes !" :-)

The Leica management people went inside I stayed out with media and waited. 
A few moments later out came the head person..... "BRAND NEW CAMERA IN BOX!" 
Offering it because "we look after our customers to the best of our 
ability!"

Media people were all ticked off because now there wasn't going to be a 
smashing. I smiled and said "Thank you very much." It appeared we, Leica and 
myself parted still good friends, accept all the media folks !!

So Nathan maybe  you could round up the European media for a Leica smashing 
gig on the front steps at Solms? ;-)  One never knows what can happen if 
LEICA tick you off bad enough! Besides it would make a great news item! :-) 
Certainly in Europe! :-)

Oh I forgot one thing... "take the lens off !"  As it's the body that needs 
to be swung by the neck strap with all your strength against any concrete 
part of the front entrance! :-)  Be one hell of a show! Probably make 
"international world wide news story!" Man love it! ;-)

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
But you only do this after you have spoken with them politely and nicely as 
well as several very polite letters.

cheers,
ted