[Leica] Leica's woes

["Hoyen ~simontart~" <simontart@hotmail.com>]

In light of the recent discussions on the LUG regarding screwed-up R8s and 
the incompetence of Solms, I thought I would mention my own problem.  I just 
got an R6.2 in March.  It had signs of use right out of the box (faint but 
unmistakable tripod marks on the bottom, signs of motor-drive/winder use in 
engagement sprocket), but I needed a camera to use immediately and my dealer 
had special-ordered this one for me, so I didn't complain about it.  Well, 
exactly 2 weeks after I bought it, one of the mirror hinges broke during a 
job, and I sent it in to Leica USA in May.  I also sent a letter to Brenda 
Olesin detailing what happened and what I wanted done (I was so angry that I 
wanted a full refund or a replacement camera).  Here is her reply, with [my 
own comments] thrown in:

- ----Original Message Follows----
From: Olesin@aol.com
To: simontart@hotmail.com
CC: RTLEICAUSA@aol.com
Subject: service transaction # 28780
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 12:21:34 EDT

Mr. Tsang:
We are in receipt of your e-mail dated 6/23/99 and would like to respond to
several of your statements.
We must take exception to your claim that s/n 2178948 left our premises with
tripod and motor marks on the base plate.

[So she is either accusing me of lying or calling me an idiot-- that I can't 
tell used from new.  Gee I wonder which it is?]

  We sell only new, factory
inspected Leica merchandise. Further, [dealer name edited out] has
verified that the camera was only in his inventory for one day: it was
pristine when sold,

[How would she know?  She wasn't there!]

and at no time in his possession was it mounted on a
tripod or otherwise "used".

[This I concur-- my dealer is a personal friend, and has a flawless track 
record-- besides, I know he didn't have an R6.2 in stock and I picked it up 
the day he got it from UPS.]

For the cameras mirror to have jumped its' housing in the manner which we
received it, the unit must have sustained a significant jolt or drop, 
perhaps
in the display box or other bag.

[A thinly veiled accusation that I am attempting to defraud the company]

Returning the camera to good operating condition would be a simple matter 
for
our service department-however, you are quite specific about your
"requirement" of a new replacement camera.
  We have therefore decided that in this instance we will replace the unit
under the terms of our passport coverage.  The warranty will run from the
date of your original purchase and will be registered here at Leica Camera
Inc.
"Quality control" has no bearing on this situation:

[Oh, I think it has everything to do with "quality control"-- and she was 
the one who put it in quotes, not me!... how appropriate!]

fortunately, Passport
Warranty encompasses all damages excluding fire or theft, allowing us to
comply with your request.
Sincerely,
Brenda Olesin
Manager, Technical Service Division



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