Re: [Leica] Holy Doodle: grey market equipment

[John Collier <jbcollier@powersurfr.com>]

Hi Austin,

I am in no way trying to refer to Nikon or Mamiya only Leica. The
International Warranty (card) is still valid on grey equipment but only at
Leica AG. I have worked at the retail end of distributed products and I can
assure you that the companies watch warranty claims very very carefully. of
course with Leicas it is the distributor that has to be watched. As to
unauthorised distributors buying Leica gear, one only has to look at Joseph
Yao (sp?). While I have not myself participated in warranty fraud, I have
seen companies lose dealer/distributor status due to warranty fraud. The
business side of selling cameras is standard business model and is handled
the same regardless of what the product is.

John Collier

> From: "Austin Franklin" <darkroom@ix.netcom.com> (edited)
>
> 
> I disagree with your definition of grey market.  It certainly CAN be bought
> from an authorized dealer outside the country.  Look at what Mamiya and
> Nikon.....snip
> 
>> The grey market equipment problem is a creation of Leica. They will, under
>> certain conditions, sell to unauthorised distributors.
> 
> Can you substantiate this?  What happens to the warranty card?
> 
>> Equipment must have
>> provenience so that warranty fraud can be controlled.
> 
> Like what fraud?  All this would take is Leica keeping a record of ALL their
> sales and that just isn't that hard to do.  Anyone selling two thousand
> dollar cameras should be smart enough to keep computerized records, or at
> least records.
> 
>> Warranty
>> fraud is a real problem so the controls are a good idea.
> 
> That's BS (that they need "controls" in the first place). snip

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