RE: [Leica] re: Don Chatterton's Leicas

[Austin Franklin <austin@darkroom.com>]

> Very often, the origin marked on the box is different from what is
> stamped on the equipment.  Don Chatterton could not be blamed for such a
> discrepancy, and it would not be fair to ask a dealer to open the seal.

If a buyer specifies they want a certain thing and the seller claims to 
have it, it is the sellers responsibility to assure they provide that item. 
 In this case it sounds to me like the seller, whether his direct fault or 
not (and he shouldn't make 'promises' that HE can not keep), it was his 
responsibility, and he should have taken it back.  That just isn't 
honorable in my book to claim an item is one thing, and it happens to be 
another.

I will always take things back if the buyer isn't happy.  No matter what 
the reason.  Needless to say, I have never had to take anything back...so 
far.

Now, if the seller had warned the buyer that the item in the sealed box may 
not be truly from the origin marked on the box, then the seller takes the 
responsibility.  If this happens, as you say 'ver often', I believe the 
seller (especially in this case, where he is supposed to be an 'expert') 
should have known better.  Also, he should not have told the buyer to deal 
with Leica on his own.

> Again, regardless of their origin, Leica is Leica is Leica.  We are not
> to decide where the final assembly is done.

If I want a Leica that says Germany on it, it is MY business, NOT your.  It 
is my money, and you have nothing to say about how I spend it.  Damn.