[Leica] Re: "demos"

[Jim Brick <jim@brick.org>]

DonjR43198@aol.com,

I'm somewhat curious. Why do you continue to stay on the Leica list? Why do
you use Leica equipment (I guess I'm assuming a lot)?

A piece of "demo" equipment is not automatically "damaged" goods ,and if it
happens to be actually damaged, it will be replaced under warranty.

How does anyone know if the "used" equipment they just bought from a
LUGger, Shutterbug advertisers, or in a store, didn't originate on the
market as a demo? You don't and you shouldn't care. Unless you just like to
whine all of the time about everything.

I personally believe that this whole demo fracas is being completely and
totally blown out of proportion. I know for a fact that quite often,
absolutely brand new, never opened, never used equipment, is sold as demo.
The label allows it to be discounted further and keeps the accounting
straight. I have purchased some of this equipment and it comes with full
passport, because it is new. It's just labeled "demo" to juggle the books.

So passing up a "demo" sale, sometimes, is like shooting yourself in the foot.

Jim


>In a message dated 5/29/99 7:06:17 AM Central Daylight Time, 
>FIGLIO4CAP@aol.com writes:
>
><< I just do not see the problem. Over the years I have bought many "demo" 
>>items 
>> from Leica dealers. They all looked like new, worked like new and lasted 
>>like 
>> new. The price was very good and they came with a warrantee. My folks on 
>>E-Bay 
>>are paying almost as much for "plain old used  >>

And At 09:15 AM 5/29/99 -0400, DonjR43198@aol.com wrote:
>
>Just goes to show there are suckers born every minute and the unscrupulous 
>prey on them every minute whether in the used car lot, E-Bay or camera
store. 
> Selling damaged goods as "demo" is just plain and simple consumer fraud.  
>Leica continues to shoot itself in the foot as a result of the "bean 
>counters" MBA policies that are quickly ruining the fantastic reputation 
>Leica had so meticulously developed at one time.  During that time Leica was 
>a revered company both world-wide and in the USA.  Just give the "bean 
>counters" an opportunity and they will destroy any organization and its 
>reputation as the various writers point out is happening at Leica.  
>Apparently, the last "bean counter" at Solms was so bad the board of 
>directors had to run him off and try another "bean counter."  These "bean 
>counters" probably cannot fix a flat tire much less comprehend the 
>manufacture of a precision instrument.  All the hype in the world will not 
>result in the production of fine cameras and lenses.  Where are the 90 mm 
>Summicron APO-ASPH lenses that were announced over a year ago?
>
>Since the new "bean counter" at Leica has taken over at Solms, has anyone 
>noticed any improvement in quality, repair work, delivery or any other
aspect 
>of the Leica company?  
>
>Suppose a person advertised a Leica item on the net as "mint" but when it 
>arrived at the purchasers end, the item was obviously well used and should 
>have been rated "good" even though it worked and would provide as fine an 
>image on the film as a brand new factory fresh piece of equipment.  Who
would 
>feel the seller was being fair and honest or would you feel like you had
just 
>been ripped off?
>
>Again, does anyone believe Solms does not know the Leica USA policies?  If 
>so, let's talk about the transfer in ownership of a large bridge in New York 
>state.
>