[Leica] Hugh's M8 issue ? Is it intentional?

[hewthompson at mac.com (Hugh Thompson)]

Douglas - there is no sign on the body that this replacement unit had  
been returned by an earlier customer.

In my case I have a dealer who "works" for the client, and he takes a  
personal interest in this type of issue.

  ..... for me proof is in the use, the replacement camera is working  
very well so far, with a good battery.

  Hugh

On 19-Jan-07, at 9:45 AM, Douglas Sharp wrote:

>> On Jan 18, 2007, at 10:22 PM, Hugh Thompson wrote:
>>
>>> Dealer told Leica we needed a replacement, and it arrived on  
>>> Wednesday. Strangely enough, with an earlier Serial Number.
> I suggested a long time ago that Leica would do this (in jest, and  
> about the DMR to be quite honest): Still in jest, I hope. It's a  
> clever way of making people think you've produced more cameras than  
> you actually have.
>
> 1) send out cameras with known defects to your customers and let  
> them praise you for having them available on time.
> 2) The first cameras are returned to have the defects "repaired" -  
> waiting time several weeks
> 3) Quick repair and back to the next customer on the list (hence  
> the earlier number)
> 4) Send a letter to customer from 2 saying : alternative 1: we are  
> sending you a replacement (actually a camera from someone else who  
> suffered earlier than you under 2, or Alternative 2: we are afraid  
> the repair may take longer, please bear with us (meaning - we  
> haven't got a backlog of returns yet)
>