Re: [Leica] "B Grade" Leica gear????

["Matt Morgan" <mattmorgan@pdseurope.co.uk>]

Rich,
As I am just in the process of buying a "demo' lens, (from a reputable and
known dealer) and want to make sure I'm not a mug, could you please enlarge
on the term `demo'?
If a lens is sold as a demo, should I expect it to have only been used in
the same store for potential customers to just put it on a camera and look
through it? What other use could it have had? Could it be a return?
How much wear would a demo lens expect before it is then sold on?
If it is demo, why would the store sell it, instead of keeping it for quite
a period of time, or are demo's supposed to be constantly renewed?
What are the signs I should look for and check when buying?
Lastly, what is an average discount from the dealer's selling price (not
full-list price) that should be expected for a demo?
Apologies for so many questions, but as I'm spending a lot of money in a
very short time I'd like to save a chunk if I can trust `demo' gear.
However, I'd always rather pay the full amount for new than risk buying
inferior kit.
Thanks, Matt.

- ----------
>From: Photovilla@aol.com
>To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>Subject: [Leica] "B Grade" Leica gear????
>Date: Thu, Aug 24, 2000, 6:41 pm
>

> <<Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 20:40:52 -0400
>
> From: Austin Franklin <austin@darkroom.com>
>
> Subject: [Leica] "B Grade" Leica gear????
>
> Message-ID: <01C00E0B.9A963BE0@user-2ive2l5.dialup.mindspring.com>
>
> References:
>
>
> I just got off the phone with a camera dealer in California (he was not
>
> trying to sell me anything) who insists that all camera manufacturers sell
>
> A grade and B grade equipment...even C and lower grade.
>
>
> He claims the B grade is what is sold by the mail order outfits (typically
>
> called "Gray Market")...and is why they can offer the lower prices.
>
>
> The only marking distinction between any of the grades is a sticker on the
>
> item...and he said these stores just pull the stickers off.  Manufacturers
>
> will always have some items that don't 'meet spec' and these 'inferior'
>
> grade products, are what become B grade products, as opposed to fixing
>
> them, or throwing them away...
>
>
> It tees me off that if this is true, the manufacturers don't physically
>
> mark the products as B grade...  He said Hasselblad sells this grade as
>
> 'demo' equipment...but again, the item it self isn't marked with anything
>
> but a sticker.  What about the used equipment market, how do you know if
>
> you are buying an A grade or a B grade?
>
>
> It would appear that even new equipment can be 'not so good'...
>
>
> What does anyone else know about this?>>
>
> While I doubt any of this is actually true...I can say that I have never
> found any grey market gear with a sticker on it indicating it was some sort
> of different grade.
>
> I have imported gear from:
>
> Germany
> Hong Kong
> Italy
> Holland
> Switzerland
> Austria
> Singapore
> Cayman Islands
>
> ...and maybe a few others and I have never found a single difference beyond
> the paperwork. I have also had some really REALLY picky customers come to the
> showroom and compare gear atom-for-atom and never come up with anything.
>
> Perhaps Joseph Yao is still on the list and can shed more light on the
> subject, if there is anything to it. I'd like to hear it too. It would
> actually be a great sales-pitch for someone who sold only USA gear too. ;->
>
>
>
> later,
> Rich
>