Re: [Leica] LHSA M6 cameras

[John Coan <jcoan@alumni.duke.edu>]

It's a small thing, but as one who fits the class I find the situation irritating and
feel somewhat taken advantage of.  I ordered from the LHSA and had to pay the $45 dues
with my order, whereas if I had purchased from a dealer I could have the camera now
instead of waiting and have a free LHSA membership.  No big deal, really, just irritating
- -- and I can see things from the LHSA viewpoint too.  The mistake was in letting
non-members order and make them members (or give them the opportunity to be members,
whether they decide to or not) for free so they meet the criterion.

It would be nice to get a second year membership gratis, or partial refund, or whatever.

John

Emanuel Lowi wrote:

> Far be it from me to fan the flames of potential discontent, but I am now informed
> that those who purchase the LHSA paint M6 receive with the camera an application for
> free membership to the LHSA. Originally, according to the LHSA pamphlet,
>
>             "The LHSA Black Paint M camera will be available exclusively to LHSA
> members for only a limited time."
>
> Now, it seems there is actually an advantage to being a non-member who orders a black
> paint camera from an LHSA-member dealer. While I certainly laud every effort the LHSA
> (of which I am a member) makes towards recruiting new members, I object to the cost
> advantage (albeit small) non-members now gain. As a resident of Canada, LHSA
> membership costs me $60 per year, yet the price I will pay to buy the black paint
> camera is no less than for a non-member who subsequently gets to join for nothing.
>
> I daresay this was definitely not the original intention behind the project to offer
> black paint cameras to LHSA members. While perhaps the LUG is not the appropriate
> forum to propose this, I believe the LHSA should now extend an offer of free
> membership for the next fiscal year to ALL who purchase this camera from dealers.
>
> Emanuel Lowi
> Montreal