CLA/Repair estimate for M6, Leica Solms

[dr.kollig]

Moin Kevin,

I do not think Leica writes estimates below 500 Euro. Had a gear failure on a M3, total cost was 560 €, including new "vulcanite", they would have done it without the vulcanite for 500 €. Had a M 6 with battery drainage problem, estimate 540 €, camera was returned to dealer for full refund, as I had only paid 900 for it.
Taken from your description the camera is Schrott/crap. Try to get your money back. The seller will rather take the camera back then paying you 600 € and he'll try to screw somebody else.

If the tram in your picture is Kölner Verkehrs Betriebe, check out Foto Gregor, Neumarkt for used Leicas. Epay is a major pita and I still buy my used cameras from shops personally. In one shop they offer me following service: 14 days testing after that I let them know if I return the camera (so they get a free description of the malfunctions) or take it so they can write the invoice. Most other shops offer a 2 week return policy for hidden failures, e.g. the shop were I sell my commisions offers this service.

Wolfram

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum Wolfram! 🙂 I believe that Leica are offering certain fixed services for under €500, like the installation of the MP VF in cameras suffering from glare white-out. It may be though that CLAs now have a minimum amount. I read on the German Leica forum that Leica management wants more revenue from the service side of the business.

Solms apparently does a stellar job servicing cameras and lenses, something that cannot be said for the Leica facility on this side of the pond. So if you do get your camera fixed by Solms, it stays fixed...

 

[Kevin]

Hi Wolfram, thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I will not buy from Foto Gregor anymore because of really bad service I experienced in the past.

The feedback I received last night indicates that my legal grounds are weak, but I am still researching and waiting for other formal replies.

The camera is not really crap, in fact the lens that came with it made this purchase a great deal indeed (Summilux 35 f/1.4 ASPH). If I have Leica Solms (or someone else for less) repair the body it will be restored to top working condition I am sure.

Thomas-Michael and Jaap both think it is worthwhile, so I just might take this route. I can write off the cost from my taxes, so it does look like my best course of action.

Gruess aus Köln,
Kevin

 

[zeos 386sx]

For the "first nine months of fiscal year 2004/2005" Leica made money in only two areas:

Leica compact cameras +40.2%
Spare parts and technical after-sales service +9.2%

Repair work is a big deal for Leica right now.

 

[peter_n]

I know a guy who lives in Australia who only uses Solms. Even though every Leica piece he ships to Germany takes months to come back what with the estimates and the back & forth about details (he's very fussy), he absolutely will not allow anyone other than Solms to touch his precious Leica gear.

 

[Kevin]

Peter,

I am sure the quality control in Solms is a lot stricter than that of an independent outfit.

And because it is only 90 minutes away, I have a better feeling about the shipping transaction.

Kevin

 

[peter_n]

Kevin if you can write the repair off as an expense against taxes then I would seriously think about it, especially given the fact that you're in Germany. They will warranty the work and it will be a quality repair, expensive but you won't recognize the camera when it comes back.

I had a little Canonet QL-17 CLA'd by Essex here in the US 2 or 3 months ago. It was in truly crap condition when it left then $80 and 3 weeks later it came back - virtually a new cam! Unbelievable!!

 

[Nikon Bob]

Kevin

If you can write the cost of the repair off on your taxes that sounds like a very good route to go to me. That is a seriously nice/expensive piece of glass that you got with the camera and I can see why you would not really want to send it back also. If you got this route then getting Solms to handle the repair is a first class idea. I like Koln BTW as I have relatives there. Hope it all works out.

Bob

 

[jaapv]

Just show us some pictures you took with it when you get it back, Kevin!