RE: [Leica] More on my dealer: this is important to me

["Austin Franklin" <darkroom@ix.netcom.com>]

> ...and he maintained,
> first, that I
> hadn't bought the camera from him,

Are you serious?  Didn't he remember you, or do you believe he was just
lying?  If he was just lying, then he's obviously unreasonable and I believe
any hope of getting any help from him would be about zero...  I'd post his
name, so others can avoid this sack.

> and then when that tack
> failed, that I've
> damaged the camera somehow.

Call Sherry, describe the problem, and ask her if there was ANY way you
could have damaged the camera...and ask her to send you a letter/email to
that effect.

> In other words he went after my integrity full
> bore;

That's the sign of a louse...so I'd strongly urge you to post this guys
information here so the rest of us can avoid him.

> John thinks splitting the repair cost would be equitable. Less
> advantageous to
> me but it doesn't sound unreasonable.

I don't know about doing that.  Typically, that is a resolution tactic I
use, when I honestly believe the other party was acting in good faith.  Your
tale of this seller doesn't seem to me like he's acting in good faith at
all.  He's trying to weasel out of any responsibility.  What state are you
in?

> However, one small quibble on an
> irrelevant detail: even if he picks up the full cost of the repair, he'll
> still make a profit (I know what he paid for the camera on eBay).

I'd leave that out of your equation.  It may be part of HIS equation, but
should not be part of yours.

> ...a relationship takes goodwill and
> work (and I'd
> add time) to develop; precisely my approach here.

You probably don't want any further relationship with this guy.  He is
obviously a louse, and has no interest in taking any responsibility for
this.  If I were you, that would be the last thing on my mind...and I'd
never do business with this seller again.

> I'm absolutely
> stumped about how to proceed with a dealer who has no interest at all in
> developing a relationship.

Take the dealer's lead...

> Steve wants the dealer outed (is it PC for me to say it that way?) .

Yeah, me too!

> I used PayPal because I had  a balance
> looking for a
> home.

You can put in for a partial refund from PayPal.  They offer insurance for
their transactions.

> Which brings me to those two related issues, naming names and buyer's and
> seller's integrity.

There is nothing wrong with stating your experience with any seller here.
Nothing, providing it is the truth.  People ask quite frequently on this
list for advice on a particular seller.

> to use smear tactics as a form of revenge for an
> unresolved transaction gone wrong.

That's not the same thing...I believe that would be wrong, but it appears
you have stated your position, and the sellers, in a quite factual manner,
and mentioning who the seller is, certainly would not be 'vengeful'.

> I'd love to be able to report a happy ending.

I'd go two for one, plus a donut that this dealer isn't going to do a thing
for you.

Good luck!