[Leica] Fwd: Re: Why Pros in general and us mateurs do NOT or SHOULD NOT use Leica......

[Ted Grant]

Hi CREW!
Keeping my fingers crossed, I've only had one "bad Leica experience repair/replacement in my 60 plus years. An M4! Some years ago. Some of you may recall, "LEICA/ME/MEDIA FRONT STEPS/LEICA, TORONTO/CANADA? :-)
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Brand new M4. I forget exactly the problem, but I had returned it for servicing from my home in Victoria. BC.
1/ Camera sent shortly after purchase/repaired?  
    Returned to me.
2/ A couple of rolls! Sent back to LEICA! Same problem?
3/  Camera back to me all OK... "their wording!" 
4/ Once  again a few rolls . same problem returns.   I'm talking about a brand new camera maybe 10-12 rolls successful use maybe?
5/ I return it again... my cost 3-4 times! Received back supposedly "FIXED!" I'm beginning to get a tad mad figuring the only thing they can "fix is a cat!" :-)
As it turned out I had an assignment in Toronto, all my expenses covered flying there etc.. 
I called the service department: "the camera had crapped out again!" And I was coming to Toronto and for them to have a brand new replacement for this one in exchange. 
Their response:  "Well we don't know about a replacement? The service department..."

MY RESPONSE?: "If you don't replace it I will call media people and tell them, ready?
"12.00 noon on the front steps of the LEICA bldg. I am going to completely destroy a brand new "Leica camera that has been serviced a half doz. times and it still doesn't work!" "click!" phone!
I fly to Toronto in a couple of days, arrive at plant. They want the camera for "service guys to "HAVE ANOTHER LOOK!?" The head guys
ask for the camera so the service dept. can have a look, while we go for lunch.  As we return to plant I tell them about the media going to be there to record the great destruction of a LEICA on the front steps unless they give me a new camera replacement! THEY THINK I'M KIDDING? :-) "UNTIL?" :-) We drive up to the building and there's a bunch of media waiting for the "great camera destruction!" :-) TV, wire service and daily newspaper photogs.
"Why are they here?" Asked LEICA head guy? 
ME? "I told you, if I do not receive a new replacement I'm going to smash mine to pieces and the media are going to have a ball shooting the event." "Now you can save that happening by presenting me with a brand new camera and media record a "happy ever after" story and LEICA looks great in the eyes of the buying public! 
And me with a big smile on my face as a "VERY HAPPY CAMPER SATISFIED LEICA CUSTOMER!" :-) 
We arrive, TV cameras begin, news guys clicking and flashing away. 
HEAD GUY?  Rushes in building and comes out big smile on his face and presents me a new camera still in box! :-) Media? A few seconds of TV and a few flashes. 
HOWEVER? The media folks were all whining and bitching as they really wanted a "camera smashing event!" :-)
Me? I was happy with the new camera & it worked like a dream until I traded up to a couple of M5's later!
Cheers,
Dr. Ted  O. C.







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