kevin m
Veteran
Like many of you, I am occasionally (meaning: nearly every day) afflicted with GAS, and I love buying and selling here more than anywhere else. A person can buy an item, then turn around and sell it if it's not to his liking. It's a friendly and rather unique place to do so, IMO.
Well, my opinion has just been further reinforced by one of my more recent purchases here, the "lost" M5. I bought a very nice looking M5 from Leif in Norway around Christmas time. He shipped it and it arrived in here in the states in only four days! Then it sat. For weeks and weeks I kept checking the tracking number, but all it said was the camera was in customs at JFK.
After a couple of months, I initiated a search thru USPS, but they informed me that the sender had to request the search. Leif got involved then and I think it bears mentioning that he was a complete gentleman throughout the process. He kept me informed of all the updates he received, and when it finally came to pass that the camera was declared "lost," he refunded my money in full.
So I wanted to give a public "thanks" to Leif and wish you all happy trading.
Well, my opinion has just been further reinforced by one of my more recent purchases here, the "lost" M5. I bought a very nice looking M5 from Leif in Norway around Christmas time. He shipped it and it arrived in here in the states in only four days! Then it sat. For weeks and weeks I kept checking the tracking number, but all it said was the camera was in customs at JFK.
After a couple of months, I initiated a search thru USPS, but they informed me that the sender had to request the search. Leif got involved then and I think it bears mentioning that he was a complete gentleman throughout the process. He kept me informed of all the updates he received, and when it finally came to pass that the camera was declared "lost," he refunded my money in full.
So I wanted to give a public "thanks" to Leif and wish you all happy trading.
stuken
Established
Yikes, I hope it was insured. Leif did a stand up job by the sounds of things.
Avotius
Some guy
I agree, this place is really great about things like this. The sense of community is great here on a global scale no less. I even feel safe putting up a message like I just did, asking for help from people, also in Norway, to locate a place I can pick up an M6.
This place is great. I spend way too much time here though
This place is great. I spend way too much time here though
kevin m
Veteran
Well, there are drawbacks, of course....
venchka
Veteran
AMEN! It's not limited to this forum though. I have met some wonderful people at other forums with similar themes. The generosity and help among groups like this is amazing!
Yes, I also spend too much time at these Forums. But hey, it's like spending time with Family.
Yes, I also spend too much time at these Forums. But hey, it's like spending time with Family.
Ororaro
Well-known
How can such a BIG camera be lost? I just can't imagine such BIG and HEAVY box in the customs just being ignored by the workers...
Great to hear a Leif was gentleman about it.
Great to hear a Leif was gentleman about it.
nobbylon
Veteran
NB23 said:How can such a BIG camera be lost? I just can't imagine such BIG and HEAVY box in the customs just being ignored by the workers...
haha
kevin m
Veteran
Well, they have X-ray machines now, too, so they probably saw how UGLY it was as well.
But thanks for thread-cr*pping, Ned.
Ororaro
Well-known
I just forgot to add a smily in my post. It was still a lighthearted joke.
jack palmer
Well-known
I think the good people on this planet out number the bad by a large margin and I do hope the seller was insured.
raid
Dad Photographer
venchka said:
Ooops. I thought that you mentioned my name!
kevin m
Veteran
Then please excuse my over-reaction. I guess, considering our often antagonistic history, a smiley face is almost mandatory any time we attempt humor.
Like now.
raid
Dad Photographer
I love this place and its people.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Yikes. I just had a package come from Norway (from Erik) and get held at customs for a while too. Must be all the business we Americans are giving those Norwegians made somebody suspect something.
Your M5 will come. Hope Leif gets his money back soon.
Your M5 will come. Hope Leif gets his money back soon.
leif e
-
oh my
oh my
Kevin! Thank you for your kind words! Even if you had to wait a while, I´m glad you´re satisfied with the way things turned out in the end.
The package was insured, and the postal service has promised to try finish matters before easter. I sure hope so. That system has showed just a few signs of bureaucratic tendencies in this process ...
What really eats me is that somewhere a perfectly good Leica M5 is laying around. And; not where it should be. :bang:
leif e
oh my
Kevin! Thank you for your kind words! Even if you had to wait a while, I´m glad you´re satisfied with the way things turned out in the end.
The package was insured, and the postal service has promised to try finish matters before easter. I sure hope so. That system has showed just a few signs of bureaucratic tendencies in this process ...
What really eats me is that somewhere a perfectly good Leica M5 is laying around. And; not where it should be. :bang:
leif e
kevin m
Veteran
It's a shame, isn't it?
I have a freshly CLA'd Canon 50/1.2 coming back from DAG this week and I was thinking what a nice match the M5 would have been.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
leif e said:
Not where it should be is right, but don't think it's lying around. I'd bet it has a very happy new 'owner'.
foto_fool
Well-known
Kevin and Leif - it's cool that you two are being so gentlemanly about this. Thank goodness RFF is not eBay!
Sometimes USPS really ticks me off, and Bob's comment that the missing M5 has a happy new owner strikes a nerve. It seems to me that this crops up at DC Customs more than elsewhere? Go figure. My experiences with USPS shipping to and from Scandanavian countries going through Customs at SFO have all been good.
I got two words for ya if your USPS has to go through DC. Fed. Ex. AFAIK they have a dedicated Customs Port Of Entry at Atlanta that is utterly reliable IME.
Sometimes USPS really ticks me off, and Bob's comment that the missing M5 has a happy new owner strikes a nerve. It seems to me that this crops up at DC Customs more than elsewhere? Go figure. My experiences with USPS shipping to and from Scandanavian countries going through Customs at SFO have all been good.
I got two words for ya if your USPS has to go through DC. Fed. Ex. AFAIK they have a dedicated Customs Port Of Entry at Atlanta that is utterly reliable IME.
kevin m
Veteran
Well, in a perverse sort of way, I hope so. I just hope it doesn't end up in some fool's hands who'll toss it in the trash when he can't find the LCD screen on the back!
John, thanks for the tip. In all my years buying and selling across the globe, this is the first item I've had turn up missing, so I guess it was my 'turn.'
Xax
Established
i just had a very smooth deal with jfserejo
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=9386
bought his r2a
my postal office did not delieve the package and did not leave a slip of paper indicating that its waiting for me, they even told me on the phone that the package hasnt arrived in austria, joao took it into his hands, and after lots of research he found out that its already here! always very concerned, very fast with answering, and the bessa r2a came with all the boxes plus it's like new... i felt like unpacking a new camera
thanks joao!
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=9386
bought his r2a
my postal office did not delieve the package and did not leave a slip of paper indicating that its waiting for me, they even told me on the phone that the package hasnt arrived in austria, joao took it into his hands, and after lots of research he found out that its already here! always very concerned, very fast with answering, and the bessa r2a came with all the boxes plus it's like new... i felt like unpacking a new camera
thanks joao!