Re: [Leica] LHSA Black Paint M6

[John Coan <jcoan@alumni.duke.edu>]

I feel much the same way, but have expressed it before here so I won't
go into it again.  One new thing I was concerned about, as a member who
is still waiting on delivery, is that all outstanding orders are not
going to be filled in November.  Some apparantly will not be shipped
until some time in 2001.  Does anyone know more specifics on this?  How
many of the remaining cameras will be distributed in November, vs. the
number that won't be ready until after the first of the year?

One other thing regarding dealer orders mentioned below.  Leica decided
to pay LHSA dues for anyone purchasing from a dealer.  So, those of us
to paid our dues to LHSA to order a camera actually paid more than the
new member who bought from a dealer at the same price (and could use a
credit card, have it right away, etc.)  This came about as a surprise to
LHSA and could not be helped, and I understand why and don't fault LHSA
on it.  Still, it sort of stings if you know what I mean.

SML wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
>   I am completely with Jack.  I have been bothered by the same questions
> that Jack asked below.  In a word, I feel that I was fooled.  I ordered one
> of each model, of course paid in full up front.  Legally, I think it is
> binding contract between LHSA and Leica, members who ordered and LHSA.  What
> is going on?  Have we been cheated?  It seems that Leica is still getting
> more orders.
> 
> Best Regards,
> David
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jack F. Matlock <jfmatlo@ibm.net>
> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 5:37 AM
> Subject: [Leica] LHSA Black Paint M6
> 
> > Rich of Photovilla wrote:
> >
> > "Of course, many dealers (including me)
> > ordered a bunch more then they pre-sold to speculate that prices would be
> > going only up on these desirable cameras."
> >
> > As an LHSA member who unfortunately was unable to get to Boston this year
> but who bought one of the black paint LHSA M6's (a magnificent camera, by
> the way), I must confess I have some questions regarding the way LHSA
> communicated with its members.
> >
> > The only notice I received from LHSA specified that the cameras had to be
> ordered through LHSA by members, and the full price paid up front, even for
> deliveries that might not occur until November or later.
> >
> > A few months later, it turned out that the cameras were also available
> through dealers who could offer much better payment terms (payment by credit
> card upon shipment, for example).  As an LHSA member I received no notice of
> this change in the rules.  Am I unique, or did LHSA fail to notify its
> members of a change in procedure?
> >
> > Second question: why is it, if all orders had to be submitted by June 30,
> that we cannot get an exact figure for the number of .72 and .85  LHSA M6s
> that have been and will be produced?  If, indeed, orders are closed, surely
> LHSA and Leica Solms must know how many have been ordered.  Why is this a
> secret? (The only figure l have heard is "about 1200" but it is not clear
> whether this includes both .72 and..85 models, and whether it is the number
> already produced or the total production.  If the announced rules were
> followed, it is most unlikely that the number ordered would be precisely
> divisible by 100.
> >
> > Finally: members of LHSA could order as many of each model as they wished,
> so long as they paid in full up front.  Were dealers also required to pay in
> full upon their order?  Unless they were, the original announcement to LHSA
> members was misleading.  Also, how can dealers sell for the same price as
> LHSA unless they can buy at a discount?  (I would have no problem with that,
> except that it is not what LHSA  members were told originally.)
> >
> > Anybody out there know the answers to these questions?
> >
> > I can imagine that sales under the original terms were slow, so dealers
> were allowed to order the  same way they would any other model.  Nothing
> wrong with this, except that it is not what members were originally told.
> >
> > l should add that I am delighted that LHSA persuaded Solms to make this
> model.  But I think that, if the rules for ordering were changed after the
> original announcement, LHSA members should have been notified and an
> explanation offered.  Although I am a user, not a collector who simply puts
> cameras away in the hope of future value appreciation, I still have an
> interest in knowing what the future value is likely to be for an article
> commanding a premium price.
> >
> > Maybe this was discussed in Boston, and if so I apologize for raising it
> here, but I am genuinely perplexed.
> >
> >
> >
> > Jack
> >
> >