[Leica] Gray Market

["Sal DiMarco,Jr." <sdmp007@pressroom.com>]

Luggers & Leggers,
    Recently, much had been said, about gray market buying and
warranties....
    Well, I ran in to Ray Tomaselli, VP of Leica Camera Inc., who oversees
the
repair department, at an opening at the Leica Gallery in New York City and I
asked how they handled these matters.
    He said when they receive a piece of equipment which was NOT imported
into the USA by them, but arrives with a properly stamped international
warranty card. They e-mail the Leica franchise holder in the country of
origin to check if it is valid, and if it is, they repair the item for the
customer without charge. Just, as Ray said, he would expect them to warranty
repair an properly registered piece of their Leica/ Minox gear. This
equipment, he
doesn't consider "gray." Anything purchased from an authorized Leica dealer
with the Leica worldwide system  is NOT gray.
    If, however, something comes in without proper documentation, and is
truly "gray," the customer is charged the normal repair rates.
    I mentioned some USA dealers, also, sell gray. Ray said all Leica
products imported by Leica Camera Inc. carry a mylar sticker on the box
saying "Officially Distributed by Leica Camera Inc."
    Please note, they will repair gray equipment, unlike Nikon USA who
simply
refuse to handle gray market stuff, and Mamiya USA who owns the trade name
and can have US Customs confiscate the item as an illegal import.
    I hope this clears up some of the confusion.
Happy Snaps,
Sal DiMarco, Jr.