Questions concerning warraty service for Leica Digital rangfinder (DRF)

[ashfaque]

Hi everyone

I'm a newbie (at least haven't taken any proper photo for the last 7-8 years)! But I've started saving for a Leica M8-onwards. In the mean time, i'd to gather as much information on Leica DRFs. Hence the following queries [sorry if these questions were asked before]:

(1) If you buy a DRF will Leica or the authorised dealer provide you after sales service if you transfer ownership?
(2) Is the warranty service international - i.e., if I buy one from UK will I be able to service it to another country, suppose India, if I move there?
(3) Can you extend service warranty? I tend to keep my stuffs until they not working!
(4) If I buy a used DRF will point (2) and (3) be applicable as well?
(5) If I need to send the camera for any possible repair do I need to pay for the parcel even if I have after sales service?
(6) Please share you positive and negative experience in terms of dealing with Leica. My experience with Dell tells me that if you treat people nicely they help you quite a lot.

Thanks for your time. 🙂

Ash

 

[Bill Blackwell]

...
(1) If you buy a DRF will Leica or the authorized dealer provide you after sales service if you transfer ownership?
(2) Is the warranty service international - i.e., if I buy one from UK will I be able to service it to another country, suppose India, if I move there?
(3) Can you extend service warranty? I tend to keep my stuffs until they not working!
(4) If I buy a used DRF will point (2) and (3) be applicable as well?
(5) If I need to send the camera for any possible repair do I need to pay for the parcel even if I have after sales service?
(6) Please share you positive and negative experience in terms of dealing with Leica. My experience with Dell tells me that if you treat people nicely they help you quite a lot.
...

(1) The last I knew this varies from country-to-country. In the USA, warranties are applicable to the original buyer only and not transferable. In-store warranties vary widely.
(2) All Leica international warranties are serviced in Germany - that is ONLY Germany.
(3) Yes and No. New M8/M8.2 camera warranties were for two years. An additional term could be achieved if the camera was upgraded under Leica's M8 upgrade program (not applicable with the M8.2).
(4) No, unless you buy a used Leica under their referb program - then your warranty is one year.
(5) I have my Leica dealer (Popflash) handle all of my Leica warranty repairs - it costs me nothing except shipping to him. But not all Leica dealers do this.
(6) For me, Leica service has been top notch - but as indicated, Tony Rose (Popflash) handles all of the details for me.

 

[Nigel Meaby]

Hi Ash in the UK a new Leica DRF comes with a two year passport which is a warranty against defect or accidental damage. The passport is transferable from one owner to the next within those two years.

 

[jaapv]

If your camera has a complete service for repair or CLA Leica will extend the warranty one year for free, starting from the day of repair. Leica Solms will honour all warranties worldwide, but as posted above, local Leica branches may differ for repairs at their branch.

 

[jaapv]

Hi Ash in the UK a new Leica DRF comes with a two year passport which is a warranty against defect or accidental damage. The passport is transferable from one owner to the next within those two years.

It is one year nowadays. that changed in October last year.

 

[250swb]

Ash, if you buy second hand a Leica dealer should give a one year warranty if the Leica Passport has run out. The other advantage of buying from a proper dealer is that they are very helpful in organising any returns to Solm's for adjustments or repairs etc.

And as Jaap has said the standard M9 Passport warranty is one year, but keep your eye's open because every now and again Leica do special offers to boost sales, and at the moment the M8 has a two year Passport.

Steve

 

[ashfaque]

thanks

thanks

Thank you very much, everyone, for your kind help. For me having a proper after sales international service is very important (as I'll probably be moving around the world once I finish my research study). Can you please let me know about such dealers in UK and USA. Because I have my friends and relatives in USA as well. So asking them to buy something for me from USA hopefully will not a problem.

Reading various forums it seems it will not be a bad idea to expect and be successful to get an M8 = ~1500 GBP, M8.2 ~= 2000 GBP.

In the mean time, i'll try to read more about Leica (and glasses!).

Cheers

Ash

 

[thegman]

Hey Ash,
As you're in the UK, have a look at Ffordes (https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm) They do trade-ins and might have what you are looking for, they do Epson RD-1 too, which may be of interest, and they're always a fair bit cheaper than an M8.

 

[ashfaque]

Thanks thegman. I'll keep an eye on that shop as well. 🙂

Ash

 

[menos]

Ash, I suggest, you have a good talk to your local Leica representative.
I was surprised, how professional, I have been treated by the Leica service handler in Hong Kong "Schmidt Marketing".

It was my first time, I got in touch with Leica after sales and next to taking a repair order, I have been fully informed about all questions and concerns, I have had regarding warranties, import goods policies (I am moving around a bit with second hand and new items purchased on the way).

I am very pleased, that Leica seems to handle such issues very different from Nikon.
As a customer, you are treated quite differently with Leica - I like that (although the waiting times are supposed to be longer).

 

[ashfaque]

Much appreciated, Dirk. 🙂