Now's the Time to Purchase M8

[PhotoMat]

Or not ... depending upon your like/dislike of the M8.

Anyway, after sitting on the fence for quite some time, I finally decided to pull the trigger and purchase a Leica M8. For several months, I've been contemplating the purchase of a used M8. On a whim, I checked the prices for new M8s at Robert White. Combined with the Leica cashback program and the exchange rate between the US dollar/GB pound, I was able to purchase a NEW chrome M8 for less than $2900, and that includes shipping!

Robert White is waiting for a new shipment of M8s to arrive, but I paid for the camera yesterday in order to lock in at the current exchange rate. Also, the cashback program expires on Jan. 31. If anyone has been seriously considering the purchase of the M8, now is the time. You would be hard pressed to find a used M8 at this price, at least for the time being.

Matt

 

[Richard Marks]

I was talking to my Leica dealer in Sheffield a couple of days ago. he says there has been massive sales from all the UK dealers to Europe due to the cash back and favourable exchange rate. Apparently the entire UK M8 supply has gone. Also demand for digilux 4's is very high. Here in Sheffield they have even sold some M8.2's!

I wonder if you could get a good deal from the UK on an S2!!

Richard

 

[keithdunlop]

Robert White is waiting for a new shipment of M8s to arrive,

Matt

Did they say when they expected to receive the new shipment? I was about to place an order as well until hearing this.

 

[PhotoMat]

Keith:

The folks at Robert White said they expect them soon, but they do not have a specific date. I was given the option to either pay when the camera comes in, or pay now to lock in at the current exchange rate. I opted for the latter.

Matt

 

[jja]

Matt, how is Robert White going to ship the camera and what were shipping charges? Also, once the camera arrives in the U.S., will you be responsible to pay any duties?

 

[PhotoMat]

The quoted price of 1960.00 GBP from Robert White included shipping fees. I assume that the camera will be shipped via Royal Mail. Over the past several years, I've purchased numerous items from Robert White (including my Mamiya 7II kit) and I did not have to pay import duties. Judging from the internet chatter, the collection of import fees seems to be hit or miss. YMMV.

Matt

 

[jja]

I will look into this, thanks!

 

[mike_j]

Judging from the internet chatter, the collection of import fees seems to be hit or miss. YMMV.

Matt

It may be hit and miss into the US from the UK but seems to be 100% from US into the UK.

I have been hit every time with duty, VAT and carriers handling charge. Typically adds 30% to US price and I won't now buy from US at all.

 

[noimmunity]

I just missed an M8 for US$2200. Somebody else jumped on it before I had the chance.

 

[sepiareverb]

I've not paid duty on anything coming from anywhere. Or should this be kept a secret?

 

[Aziz]

Could somebody please confirm (or deny) that there is not Duty Fee from the U.K. to the U.S. I tried to research it a bit and was confused by two "Rate of Duty" columns. The General column said "Free" and the Column with the number "2" says 20%.

It also looks like the U.S. folks aren't getting hit with broker fees either?

 

[johnwnyc]

Combined with the Leica cashback program and the exchange rate between the US dollar/GB pound...<snip>
Matt

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but won't you run into issues on the cashback, having purchased the item from the UK, but needing the check issued to a US address?

The cashback terms read:

This offer is only valid for products imported by Leica Camera Inc. and sold through authorized Leica dealers in the US and Canada. Promotion ends January 31, 2009. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer. This promotion is not valid with a student/educator’s purchase. It will take 6 to 8 weeks to process all mail-in rebates. Checks will only be mailed to addresses in the US or Canada.

 

[PhotoMat]

John:

The people at Robert White handled the cashback and deducted the amount from my initial purchase price.

Their stock of M8's arrived on Thursday and my camera was promptly shipped that same day. UPS is expected to deliver on Monday. I never thought that I would be excited for Monday to arrive! 😉

 

[johnwnyc]

Thanks for the info -- good to hear. I'll have to give that 28mm Elmarit ASPH some serious consideration now. Enjoy the camera and take good pictures.

 

[jobe]

i recently placed an order with Robert White. They were quite helpful and very pleasant to deal with. The order was shipped promptly via UPS and arrived in 5 days due to an intervening weekend. There was no duty into the US. UPS did charge $70US in addition to the freight charge for processing import documents. This charge was collected upon delivery.
Joe

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I was talking to my Leica dealer in Sheffield a couple of days ago. he says there has been massive sales from all the UK dealers to Europe due to the cash back and favourable exchange rate. Apparently the entire UK M8 supply has gone. Also demand for digilux 4's is very high. Here in Sheffield they have even sold some M8.2's!

but but but...but... I thought the beginning of the end for Leica had been wished/foretold (now in its fourth-consecutive decade) by those who don't own one! :angel:

 

[jaapv]

those who don't own one! :angel:

The numbers of those seem to be diminishing rapidly😀😉

 

[kully]

Robert White are great been using them for nearly three years now and the service is impeccable. Got my M8 from them last month.

Remember that you should expect to pay taxes plus import duty on anything you order from overseas. Or declare it yourself...

 

[Richard Marks]

but but but...but... I thought the beginning of the end for Leica had been wished/foretold (now in its fourth-consecutive decade) by those who don't own one! :angel:

Well Gabriel clearly every thing has a price and at £2,000 UK with the current favourable exchange rate the price is definately right. Incidentally i can tell you that Robert White are absolute Gentlemen and have no fears dealing with them. Interestingly I wonder if the current deal has had a counter productive effect on M8.2 sales. I do not regret my M8 purchase at list price over 2 years ago, but can fully appreciate it was not high on value for money unless you already have a film M and lenses. I think the other thing which might be helping is better appreciation of less expensive Zeiss and CV glass. It will make a big difference if you are just starting out. Another factor might be the rapid rate at which new DSLR's are hatching and immediately making obsolete their predecessors. The D3 did not even make 12 months!

best wishes

Richard

 

[kevin m]

Now's NOT the time to buy an M8. They are still over-priced on the used market.

Sellers are lowering their prices incrementally, but the buyers aren't biting. Where only months ago $3,000 was considered a 'bargain,' it's now unreachable. These will be selling below $2,500 by spring, and, depending on just how bad the economy gets, far less after that.

The M8 is a digital appliance, just like every other digital camera. Group denial can only delay the inevitable for a time.