Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/11

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Ebay Bargain Item #494433260
From: Guy Bennett <guybnt@idt.net>
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 23:35:41 -0800
References: <000e01c04bfe$3af0a640$6c0110ac@505HE3203331.ccapr.com> <00c401c04c11$76440c60$2e82e0d8@joecodis> <000d01c04c32$fa687780$806b193f@oemcomputer>

>You got it Wilber, how else would you describe a car in showroom condition
>with a dent?
>I would describe it "in showroom condition save for a dent"... Which means
>that aside of the dent, the rest of the car's appearance is  showroom.
>If a mint camera is dropped and has a dent, would you not call it a camera
>with a dent that would otherwise be mint? Obviously it is no longer *mint*
>but how else would you describe its condition?
>
>Joe Codispoti


joe,

how about this:

"leica mX, in perfect mechanical condition; everything operates exactly as
it should. shutter speeds are all right on, even the slow ones (well, we
can dream can't we?), the viewfinder is clear and bright, the rangefinder
functions beautifully and the coincident image is clearly visible, even in
low light. cosmetically, the leather (or whatever that stuff is called) is
clean and intact with no cracking. baseplate clean save for the inevitable
light scratches around the tripod socket. the one flaw that keeps this from
being a mint - camera: there two dents in the top plate. they do not effect
the mechanical functioning of the camera in any way. try it for yourself
and see. i offer a 5 day return period. if you are not satisfied with your
pruchase i will refund your money, less ebay costs."

while i see the dilemma you've pointed out (i.e. how else would you
describe such an item), i do think that labelling a damaged camera 'mint -'
is going more than a little too far. there are plenty of ways to assure
potential bidders that the camera in perfect in every way *except* for the
two dents, without obliquely lying about it.

guy

In reply to: Message from "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net> (RE: [Leica] Ebay Bargain Item #494433260)
Message from "Joe Codispoti" <joecodi@thegrid.net> (Re: [Leica] Ebay Bargain Item #494433260)
Message from "Wilber Jeffcoat" <wilber@jeffcoatphotography.com> (Re: [Leica] Ebay Bargain Item #494433260)