[Leica] "demos"

[DAVE YODER <leica@home.com>]

Well, my "demo" experience has been resolved. The original dealer
accepted it back (even though I'd turned in the warranty card) and
applied its price toward a new (rebated) R8 with the 3-year warranty. He
was pretty cool about it. 
Before I talked to him, though, I spoke with Leica USA twice. They told
me "demo" cameras can be a "wide range" of cameras, including
refurbished cameras. I told  him that's illegal for computer
manufacturers and I don't see how it'd be different for cameras, and why
it makes a difference (who knows what a previous owner did to it?). He
impassively told me to take it up with the dealer, and washed his hands
of me. 
So, I blame Leica before anyone else. They're the ones calling them
demos and sending them out. 
If you are considering a demo, my dealer said he can trace a demo's
number and find out its history. So that's one solution if anyone needs
the reduced price.
Since then I think my "demo" R6.2 has a minor problem. The red light
that illuminates the aperture numbers stays on indefinitely when the
shutter speed is dropped any one step past a 60th. But stepping it up
one speed will turn it off. For example: it's off, but I drop the speed
from 1/8th to 1/4th, which turns on the light. The meter light will turn
off after about 12 seconds, but the other light stays on until either
the battery runs out or I return the speed up to 1/8th or higher. I
presume this is a defect. So, both my demos have had defects. I'm not
worried too much about the R6.2 but I'm glad I was able to resolve the
R8 favorably.

Dave Yoder