MW Classic Camera

[Ash]

Anyone dealt with them?

They're pretty slow with replying to emails (by pretty, I mean VERY) and 9/10 chance they won't answer the phone.

I'm getting worried about my Leica purchase, since the camera I tried to place a deposit on is still up for sale on-site.


Feedback from people who have used them would be nice 🙂

Thanks!

 

[Kim Coxon]

If I had to describe them in one word it would be disorganised! It took them 2 attempts try to send the correct thing I asked for and they then gave up because they didn't have it so sent a refund. Very pleasant and honest but disorganised.

Kim

 

[Ash]

Ah! Thanks Kim... at least that backs up my initial impression 🙂

 

[FrankS]

Hope you get that camera, Ash! A Leica, too!

 

[Ash]

Check the thread about second hand gear descriptions - the quote is from mw!

 

[jamiewakeham]

Exactly as Kim says - nice people, but slightly chaotic. Bought a 20mm MIR lens from them a while back, no problem. Then tried to buy a 48-49mm stepping ring that was advertised in AP and on the website, but it didn't actually exist.

I'd stick with trying to ring them. I'm not sure that they're very good with (to quote James May) the InterWeb.

Jamie

 

[photocrazy]

What I can say about dealer is that they are very very generous in grading their goods and quite good in presenting them. And for small accessories, what you get may not be the ones you see on-line. For camera bodies and lenses, you can check the serial numbers. The only thing that I feel positive about it is their pricing but I will be very careful about dealing with them.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Ash,
You may find this link handy. http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/ There's a bit of a waiting list - book it in early. 😉

Kim

Check the thread about second hand gear descriptions - the quote is from mw!

 

[Jocko]

Ash,
You may find this link handy. http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/ There's a bit of a waiting list - book it in early. 😉

Kim

I think Ash would be better off sending his Leica to Oleg. I've been waiting 13 weeks for this fellow to reply to my letter and subsequent, elaborately polite, e-mails.

I realise we all love wunnerful'n'warm old craftsmen, starring benignly through half-moon spectacles, a cat on their lap and a crumpet on the fork... but I think we can also expect a degree of customer service, especially as we now have the whole world to choose from. Dear old Ebeneezer might occasionally be late for "Stars on Sunday" due to answering his customer's enquiries, but at least he'd be in business.

My Leica's off to Mr Gandy.

Cheers, Ian

 

[Kim Coxon]

Ian,
I have always picked up the phone to CRR and had a wonderful response and the work is absolutely first class. I know others have also reported that email contact can be a little difficult but I have always found the cost of a phone call is always much better than an email. 😉

Kim

 

[John Robertson]

I have had a few things from MW, the problem seems to be that there are only two people in the store and they are often out buying!!! I find their buyimg on line site does not work, I just get an error message. I sent e-mails again no reply, but got through when I phoned, after 11.00 am local time. Their prices are good, and the stuff is usually as advertised. But disorganised would be a compliment!!!
The main problem is their site seems to work for some people and not others, so things are often gone by the time I phone.

 

[Ash]

So I'm not the only one who feels that their grading starts at 80% ?

I was looking into that Luton bloke, especially with the RF overhaul thing. Maybe Oleg is a better bet, but I'm still worried about sending a camera out of the country. Ah well. If I *DO* manage to get this "all working, all fittings and finder" Leica Standard, then I won't have any money for the cla anytime soon 😀

I'll keep you all posted, but 3 or 4 emails later there's no reply from MW, I'm about to call them.

 

[Ash]

Success!!

Called up, spoke to BOTH people there. I've ordered the camera and it *should* arrive tomorrow with luck.


They're apparently very busy and have a lot to catch up with so that's why they haven't been replying promptly to emails, and their website is only updated on a Friday aaaaaaaaaaaaaand they didn't take the deposit directly from my account as my calling and leaving my card details was enough to show I was serious about the purchase (apparently).

Pinch of salt anyone?

 

[Andrew L]

I've bought a ton of stuff off MW over the years and I think they're terrific to deal with. I'm sorry you've had problems with them but they are essentially a two-man outfit, although there is a third guy who just photographs the gear for the website.

Recent purchases from them include a Contax T outfit that I bought for £175 and it's been great.

I also find that they are pretty good on trade ins as I have also sold a lot of stuff to them.

Once again, I'm sorry you've suffered delays with them which is a very frustrating experience, I know. I live locally so I pop in and chew the fat with them. If you want to see real chaos just watch what happens when the UPS man turns up to collect stuff 🙂

 

[Ash]

No worries Andrew, I get quite paranoid when I put my money past my mouth and things dont go my way 😀

If the camera arrives tomorrow morning like it should, I'll have no quibbles and will most likely deal with them again

 

[Andrew L]

Have fun with your purchase.

As far as MW go, I can't think of two nicer and honest guys to deal with.

 

[Jocko]

Ian,
I have always picked up the phone to CRR and had a wonderful response and the work is absolutely first class. I know others have also reported that email contact can be a little difficult but I have always found the cost of a phone call is always much better than an email. 😉

Kim

I don't doubt it, Kim. I'm sure I was uniquely unlucky; yet whenever I rang there was never an answer, which is why I resorted to E-mails. Nor was there any reply to my original letter (which, incidentally, enclosed an SAE). So I gave up. Obviously such things happen, but for me it's simply a matter of trust. I'm self-employed and I grew up in a family business. I know what a serious, professional firm looks like and I really think that in the UK we put up with a great deal of contemptuous incompetance from elements within the "traditional" photographic trade.

We are in a global marketplace. I know from experience that I can trust Ffordes, Robert White, Cameta and Cameraquest. I also know that CRR want my money so much that they can't be bothered to respond to repeated enquiries. If I treated clients like that they'd go elsewhere. And so will I.

All the best, Ian

 

[Andrew L]

Ian,

It's a great shame that you were treated so badly by CRR. I guess I was lucky in that when I phoned I got through to Peter straight away. When he serviced my M3 the turn around was very swift. The job he did on the rangefinder was fantastic. It's like a new camera.

CRR also did a very quick job on a couple of Leicaflex's I used to own.

Base on my personal experience, I would happily recommend CRR. I guess I would now add the rider that it's best to make contact on the phone first. Again, sorry to hear that you had such a bad time of it.

 

[Xmas]

My CRR shutter replacement came back within the quoted time scale and £. Also included were

- glasses protector, which he detected I needed but I had not asked for
- cosmetic repairs to the dots on the door which are damaged if you use it - like as new from Leitz,
- and a Vfdr update, on an M4, I knew this was needed for M6 rubbish...!

Hey I'd use him again, a one man band has to cut corners, if he is rebuilding my M, I dont want him surfing the web.

Noel

 

[Ash]

So it's true then, English camera stores just can't keep a constant level of customer satisfaction. As long as we get there in the end, I don't mind... Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way