Leica Certified Pre-Owned Cameras?

[Praxis Unitas]

Leica has the unique problem of losing market share to its own second-hand products. I've heard that there are 4 times as many Leicas bought and sold on the used market as there are in retails stores in any given year.

The question is this-- how much would you pay for a Leica-certified pre-owned M3 with a nice shiny factory refurbishment, perhaps some upgrades and a warranty?

I would certainly be intersted in buying direct from Leica for that service, and I'd be willing to pay a premium for it. And speaking of buying direct, when is Leica going to drop the cumbersome supply-chain of certified Leica retailers? The world is flat, folks! Use the internet to market directly!

Take care, everyone!

-Christopher

 

[Damaso]

The problem is the costs of buying and then refurbishing M cameras would negate any potential profit, not to mention eat into new camera sales. At this point the secondary market is so huge and well established that Leica can't really compete with it...

 

[jody36]

speaking of used anyone here have experience with KEH?

 

[rpsawin]

speaking of used anyone here have experience with KEH?

Yes and all positive. My purchases have arrived timely and in as good or better condition as advertised. They are not the budget source for gear but they are reasonable and I'm willing to pay a bit extra to a reputable dealer.

Best regards,

Bob

 

[jody36]

How bout MW classic cameras?

 

[payasam]

"speaking of used anyone here have experience with KEH?"

Two purchases entirely satisfactory, then an encounter with a live disaster on e-mail.

 

[iamzip]

hm. I have no experience with Leica (yet) as I can't afford any. However, I think it could work. It has certainly worked very well for car dealers. People buy certified pre owned watches. And they wouldn't have to buy used ones to refurbish, simply start a trade in program whereby you can trade in an older Leica for credit towards a newer one.

Who's going to trade in a camera and get less than if they sell it themselves? Plenty of people. People do it with cars. People did it with musical instruments when I worked at a music store. Some people simply don't want to be bothered by selling it themselves. A trade in program would allow dealers to obtain pre owned examples at below the regular going rate.

Also keep in mind that a certain percentage of Leica owners are not the obsessive individuals we are, scouring the internet for that perfect camera. Some of them are simply rich folk, who buy it because they have the money. I would wager that these are exactly the kind of people likely to trade up for the newest model, and who wouldn't bother to sell it themselves because they are not scrimping to get it in the first place. Too much trouble, just trade it in and take the hit.

 

[Keith]

This is if nothing else could certainly keep the Leica Elves busy as an alternative to being shown the door with their severance pay when Andreas and the M8 eventually sink the ship.

I think a lot of people would pay top dollar for a factory refurbished M2/M3 etc in it's own re-presentation box with a year's warranty. It's a little pie in the sky but there is a thread of sanity in your idea! 😛