was i sold a returned black M8 from B&H ?

[butter71]

unexpectedly a black M8 showed up on my door step this morning. i had ordered one a while back, but didn't receive any shipping notices.

the camera and packaging looked pretty good, but the battery was fully charged and the file numbering started at 53.

does leica take test shots before shipping the camera?

otherwise, anyone from here return a black M8 to B&H? want to tell me its history?

 

[mervynyan]

don't think they can sell used as new, it's against the law.

 

[Xmas]

Bryan

They used to exericise cameras before final acceptance, and 53 does not seem a lot after zeorising the counter just to check it is still ok, they probably have a robot rig. You could e-mail leica if you feel bad.

The battery may hold charge a long time you need to speak to an owner who does not have a battery problem.

I'd like to have your problem.

Noel

 

[Topdog1]

Call B&H

Call B&H

You should call B&H and ask them. I know they had M8s on day one of their release because I was notified by their auto-emailer. I tracked the B&H site during the day and they ran out of stock on that first day. They've been out of stock since. This seems like a long time to wait for your M8 to arrive since it was first released, but B&H has very high standards and I doubt they would sell you something as new if it wasn't. Still, you could call them with your concerns and see what they say. I know I would.

Regards,
Ira

 

[mich8261]

I think "returned" items can be resold as new and that's why it has to be pristine for them to accept it. Otherwise no merchant would accept returns. They would take a huge loss on these.

 

[BudGreen]

My B&H horror story

My B&H horror story

It wouldn't surprise me if it was used. I recently bought a new (I thought) Rolleiflex 2.8 FX from them only to find out later that it had been not only used, but misused. They denied it the whole time of course, but I had proof. I had sent the thing to Rollei service for a focusing problem and they informed me that it was not the first time they had seen this camera. In fact it had been sent to them by B&H a few months prior and sent back un-repaired. Evidently the camera had been dropped by the previous owner and damaged so badly internally that it could not be fixed. Somehow this broken camera was put back into new stock and sold to me.

If I was charitable, I could say that this was all an accident, but they offered so many contradictory excuses that I can only conclude that they intentionally sold me a used $4000 camera as new, although I'm sure they thought that it had been fixed.

Needless to say I don't buy from them anymore. There are plenty of other choices.

 

[Topdog1]

That is a horror story, but if you can't trust B&H, who can you trust? They are the top of the heap.

/Ira

 

[Ash]

Maybe it was used by a member of staff in AT b&h, playing around with it before sale?

 

[jaapv]

You can always ask for a discount - or some free IR filters 😉Have fun with your camera. It'll make you happy!

 

[Topdog1]

On the other hand, new M8s are going for up to $6K on eBay. If you're unhappy, why not just sell it there at a profit?

Regards,
Ira

 

[ZeissFan]

I would suspect that the 53 shots were done at various stages in testing. I wouldn't worry about it.

Even new cars have some miles.

I'd rather get a camera that has some shots taken with it, because at least you know that it's been tested.

 

[Harry Lime]

That is a horror story, but if you can't trust B&H, who can you trust? They are the top of the heap.

/Ira

They are at the top of the heap in terms of the amount of gear they sell.


HL

 

[ERV]

B & H is my local camera shop and I make up excuses to sneak away on the weekends to visit. I usually buy film, however I did buy a new contax G 28mm lens a couple of years ago, used it for a day and decided I wanted a 35.
I returned it and bought the 35mm.
I always wondered what they did with it.
The used items are overpriced, but other than that, it is a great place IMO.

 

[Plasmat]

Jeez, you mean this really bothers people?

 

[MikeL]

Here's my B&H "new" camera experience. I bought a "new" Panasonic LC1 from them when they were hard to find. The tape on the box had been cut open and standard packing tape was on the outside. The battery was charged, cords were loose, 200 photos on the camera according to the file numbers, and there was a slight scratch on the LCD. The LC1 was obviously returned. I emailed them and told them I was surpised a company with their reputation would pull something like this. They apologized and told me I could return the camera or they would refund me $150. I decided to keep the camera. See if they'll offer you a discount since it's used.....

 

[dcsang]

On the other hand, new M8s are going for up to $6K on eBay. If you're unhappy, why not just sell it there at a profit?

Regards,
Ira

Then you become as low as B&H does (apparently) in this case.

There's rarely a cost to being honest but usually one in being dishonest.

Dave

 

[Plasmat]

Why is it dishonest or "low" to resell a camera on eBay?

If it's described as "almost new" and is in mint condition, and someone is willing to pay the price whatever it is, why does that offend your sensibilities?

People buy things to resell on eBay all the time. Is there something wrong with that"

 

[saxshooter]

If I was charitable, I could say that this was all an accident, but they offered so many contradictory excuses that I can only conclude that they intentionally sold me a used $4000 camera as new, although I'm sure they thought that it had been fixed.

Needless to say I don't buy from them anymore. There are plenty of other choices.

So how was this resolved being that Rollei couldnt fix it? Curious.

 

[Turtle]

surely when Leica test their M8 their test frames do not clock up on the counter!!! I find it hard to believe that after testing and prior to packaging that the counter is not reset to zero thats if they dont have way to stop them registering in teh first place....come on!

I strongly suspect that these frames were fired off after it left Leica. Whether this is an issue is up to you.

 

[Turtle]

if it is any consolation the laptop I am now using was a replacement for a faulty unit and turned out to be a refurb....it clearly was not fixed properly and has faults I picked up on the first day. It randomnly switches off once in a while and has a missing/dislocated battery catch spring.

Yes I am annoyed, but I was too busy with work to be without it and in a fight with a difficult PX retailer who kept telling me...its either this one or send your original one back to the USA for Toshiba to fix (from Kabul that is....). I will take it up with the seller and Toshiba at a later date.......when I have time as it needs repair.