[Leica] Is this normal dealer behavior?

["Frank Dernie" <Frank.Dernie@btinternet.com>]

Hi Pascal,
the only experience I have had of a credit card being refused in Europe
recently was a photo dealer in Stuttgart. I wished to buy a used Leica CL
(OT!) but he would not take anything but cash. Maybe the Credit Card
companies take a bigger percentage in Germany or have unfavourable terms for
photo dealers.
cheers Frank

- ----------
>Pascal asked
>
> Hi all,
>
> I am asking this (maybe trivial) question, but a German dealer with whom I
> want to conduct business refuses to take my credit card for payment since
> the item he sells is "demo" (though still quite expensive). He only takes
> cash (obviously impossible since I am living in Belgium), a cheque or a wire
> transfer *before* he sends the goods to me. Reason he cites: these are not
> new goods, but sales "at a discounted price".
>
> I am feeling reluctant to do so, but would like to ask for advice on the
> matter. I am still amazed at how some, especially European (and German in
> particular), dealers expect to do business with a Europe-wide audience if
> they don't take credit cards for payment. Even more so while this kind of
> behavior is not allowed under the terms that bind the dealer with the credit
> card companies.
>
> By contrast, the two largest German Leica dealers (Foto Hobby in Frankfurt
> and Leica bei Meister in Hamburg) take credit cards for *all* sales, even
> second hand items (at prices much lower than "demo")...
>
> Is this normal behavior in the year 2001 ???
>
> Pascal
> NO ARCHIVE