Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>Marc James Small wrote: >> >> Most higher-end Leica items aren't in 'sealed' boxes: they come in boxes >> which a dealer can open and inspect. The whole idea of the sealed box is a little strange. In my wild years I bought new BMW motorcycles which arrived at the dealer in the wooden crate and the shrimpwrap plastic around it. I was always gratefull that the dealer unwrapped it, checked it all over, put oil in it and made small adjustments to make sure the product was in perfect shape before handing it over. The crux here is of course the expertise of the dealer. If a Leica box is opened it could be that some person has test-used the product and returned it. If the daler will not tell you, that is bad. If the dealer opens the box himself to ascertain that all is well, what then is the problem. No reputable dealer will give you a new product that has seen some service as a demo version without mentioning it. In the Netherlands we have new Leica products with a red dot, signifying some use at demonstrations or product shows with a significant lower price. That is OK. It would be false if some dealer would buy these 'dot'products and sell them as new for the regular price. If we all are assuming that Leica products last a life time, what possible tear and wear can lower the life expectancy of the product if some person handles a Leica for a few minutes. Erwin