Re: [Leica] Warranty & New vs. Used

[John Collier <jbcollier@powersurfr.com>]

Copy of a message from another bulletin board:

There are items from the official distributor, properly imported items and
then there are graymarket (unused in a sealed box) items. Items bought
though the proper distribution channels from the official distributor will
be fully supported by the official distributor for the length of time
specified (Canada, USA and others have a three year passport warranty).
Properly imported items are purchased through proper channels in another
country. They will be supported in any country for the Leica two year
warranty period (they will bill the originating country for the repairs who
then bill Leica AG). The final source is the infamous graymarket which are
items sold outside official distribution channels. For what ever reason, the
importer sells the items and offers no support whatsoever (generally into
another country). They maintain no repair staff, parts stock or any other
expensive services that the distributor has to offer. Thus they are able to
sell the gear cheaper than official distributors. If your graymarket item
requires work and you send it to the official distributor for repair, they
will check its serial number to find out if it was sold though proper
channels or not. If it is a graymarket item, they will repair it but charge
you for the repair. Some other manufactor's distributors will refuse to work
on any gear that is graymarket (Nikon is a one example). If you buy
graymarket make sure that the store you purchase it from is willing to
support the items for a satisfactory length of time and has access to good
Leica repair technicians. I personally would not buy a graymarket body nor
super highspeed lenses as the likelyhood of adjustments and repairs being
necessary is higher than with accessories or moderate speed lenses. You get
what you pay for. I like good support and I am happy to pay for it.

> From: Robert Clark <rclark@desupernet.net>
> 
> Hi all:
> As always, I've appreciated the collective wisdom and experiences of
> this diverse group of Luggers.  Now, I'd like to tap into a little of
> that.  Right now, I'm in a little situation that all Leica users may
> have been in one time or another and I'd like to know the various
> opinions about what the pluses and minus are.  I want to buy a new
> lens....probably one of three choices...the 35 Summicron ASPH, the 28
> Elmarit or the 28 Summicron.  First of all, I understand the USA
> warranty since I bought my M6 and 50mm Summilux about a year ago.  What
> I'm not sure about are the lower prices from various advertisers that
> say the equipment is "unused in sealed box."  I'm guessing that means
> new but with the lower price that the dealer with the USA warranty, I'm
> not sure.  And...if you can buy the same lens for 300 - 350 less at an
> advertiser that sells the lenses "unused in sealed box," aren't you
> spending that extra amount for a Leica warranty?  Does the 200 Leica
> rebate apply here?  When purchasing from one of these dealers, they
> often have a two year warranty with the dealer and not Leica.  Does this
> mean Leica would not work on a defective product?
> 
>