Re: [Leica] Re: jim kuhl - about dealers

[Bill Satterfield <cwsat@cyberhighway.net>]

I had all my Leica gear stolen, a m4 ,90,50 and 35 lens. Jim sent all this to
me unpaid and waited until I got the insurance check, some $5,000+ to be paid.
The time frame was about 2-3 weeks. How is this for trust? I think trust works
both ways. I had all my camera gear scheduled and there was no depreciation,
paid full replacement cost. They also stole my Rollei TLR and all my Hasselblad
equipment, some $22,000 in cameras and a gun collection.

Jim Brick wrote:

> Over the years I have purchased numerous pieces of used equipment from Jim
> Kuehl. Each and every time the business transaction was a joy. The very
> first time I called Jim, perhaps 15 years ago, I wanted a used lens that
> was selling for $2000. He sent me the lens and said "if you like the lens,
> send me a check, otherwise send back the lens." I asked him how he could do
> that without occasionally getting ripped off and he replied that in the
> many many years that he has been selling Leica equipment, he has never been
> stiffed, and will continue to trust the Leica establishment.
>
> Anyway, Jim got into big trouble for illegally copying Leica USA passport
> stickers and applying them to gray market equipment. I believe it was
> written up in PDN a few years ago. I guess he barely missed going to jail.
>
> But the bottom line for me is that for buying "used" equipment, he has been
> great. I never "trade-in" equipment so I don't know his practices there. I
> would trust Tom Schofield's opinion on this matter.
>
> Jim
>
> At 04:01 PM 7/5/00 -0500, Kip Babington wrote:
> >On the two occasions I've bought M lenses from Jim he put them in the
> >mail the day we talked on the phone, with an enclosed bill, and
> >instructions to send him a check if I wanted to keep the lens, otherwise
> >to just send the lens back. In each case I thought that the condition of
> >the items was better than his description.  If there are vendors who
> >offer better goods and better service than Jim I haven't dealt with them
> >yet.
> >
> >Cheers,
> >Kip
> >
> >