Re: [Leica] (Leica)FS:35-70 f2.8 R

["Dr. Joseph Yao" <joseph@yao.com>]

Dear LUG,

This has been a really sad day for me, not so much as I had missed a sale
but I was really appalled by someone's poor manner.  I had been looking to
buy the Vario Elmarit since the beginning of 1999 and last night I found one
at the 'right price' on the LUG.  The deal was done and credit card and
shipping details given.  It was already midnight and I went to bed, having
to get up at 6am this morning for another crazy day in ER.  For those who
have been following the Vario Elmarit thread, it is known that I had gone as
far as offering Leica AG cash up front for 1,000 lenses as an incentive to
get them to re-start production so I can have at least one lens.

Some one who had nothing to do with this deal barged in with a big mouth and
subsequently the deal was off.  The lens was withdrawn from sale and I was
given a lame excuse.  Over the next few hours the lens went to a fellow
LUGger who resides in the same city as the dealer and moments later the lens
was on auction at eBay.

The whole chain of events has left a rather bad taste in my mouth.  If you
are not participating in a sale, please stay away, unless you strongly feel
the customer is being ripped off by the seller.  And even in such case, you
should warn the buyer privately.  The original asking price for the lens in
question was excessively low - it was already higher than the original list
price, and I certainly did not feel I was taking the seller for a ride.  If
the seller had asked for more, I would have most likely obliged.

Many of you know that I also export Leica equipment on a large scale.  And
those who have bought from me also know I probably offer the lowest prices
there are.  There are numerous Friday FS postings every week and I find most
if not all sellers asking more for their used equipment than I do for new
equipment.  But do I send a public e-mail to every FS posting and state
their pricing is inappropriate?  I don't, because it is none of my business.
If there is a willing seller and a willing buyer, what role do I have in
their dealings?  Every Friday we see a posting from the same gentleman, 'How
to impress and amaze your friends....." - well, I must say I have been truly
amazed by your behaviour and you certainly have made an impression on me.

On the brighter side, all is not lost, and life isn't that bad after all -
there are still some decent and helpful people in this world.  A week ago I
briefly mentioned that I had also missed out on the chrome Tri-Elmar which
had been discontinued.  Fellow LUGger John Gong, found this lens for me in
the US and bought it on my behalf and sent it all the way to Hong Kong for
me.  I found it on my desk on my return from work this afternoon.  And I
have not even paid John a penny!  John G, you have made my day which could
have been a lot worse.  I cannot thank you enough.

For those who have e-mailed me privately and offered your support, I thank
you all.  I will continue to talk to Leica AG and persuade them to make
another Vario Elmarit for me.  I have worked on them for a few months now
and I am beginning to think that I have been teaching a pig to sing.

It has been a long day and I must get some sleep, and get ready for another
crazy day in ER.  And of course, I will continue to look for another Vario
Elmarit.  Life is more fun when one has an aim.  If I could get Porsche to
build me one of their discontinued models, surely it cannot be that
impossible for Leica to build me a discontinued lens.

I thank you all for your kind messages.

Best regards,

Joseph







> This lens is almost completely unavailable and, when it does turn up, sells
> for $14000US to $16000US. You might want to reconsider your selling price.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> John Collier
> 
>> From: "Simmy" <simmy@simonscameras.com>
>> 
>> For Sale: Brand new Leica Vario-Elmar-R 35-70mm f2.8 cat# 11 275. New stock
>> with Canadian Passport Warranty. Price:$5500.00 Canadian.