Re: Leica repairs

[ted grant <75501.3002@CompuServe.COM>]

Paul Krzyzanowski wrote:

<<So if I, as an amateur, spend $20K+ on equipment, I should not be entitled to
the same level of service from the manufacturer as you because our professions
are different??>>>>>

Paul,

If you were an amateur investing that kind of money in a hobby, I sure as hell
would expect the same kind of service as the professional photographer!

But how many amateurs do you know who have $50,000 in Leica gear that they "play
with"?

Yes I use expedited couriers and spend the extra money to get the gear in and
back from repair and I don't whine about it. If I were charged an extra fee to
get it turned around so be it!! That's part of running a business and working as
an independent photographer.

<<<but I'd hate to be preempted and not get my camera in time for a
once-in-a-lifetime vacation just because somebody else decided that their needs
are more important than mine.>>>>>

Hey I didn't say you were going to be preempted, I said I expect my equipment to
be repaired as quickly as possible, simply because I earn my living with them.
And if I don't work with them I never ever have a chance for a vacation! :)

And I'm sure if you were going to send a camera in for servicing and knew you
were going on that "once in a lifetime vacation", you'd sure as hell make the
finest arrangements whatever they maybe to cover your butt to have gear to go on
the vacation. And certainly not wait until the last second hoping you'll have
the camera back.

It takes planning and well laid organization of required servicing and that
helps get my gear in and out quickly! It actually has nothing to do with being a
pro, but has everything to do with organizing the servicing the way I need it to
go.

<<<Loaner cameras strike me as a good solution (they work well in the automotive
repair field).>>>>>

True! But have you ever made loaner arrangements due to a repair or taken the
time to find out what is involved for this kind of gear or rental gear?  hey
before you have a crash and burn good buddy, check into it, so that if you have
a crasher, you're in the control seat and things will work much easier!

And then you know that "once in a lifetime holiday" will be Leica recorded for
life! :)

ted