[WildWood]

Hi all

I had a bad experience with this shop recently and wanted to let people know about it.

My partner needed a Leica M8 and we strolled into the shop, which is in Pied Bull Yard, near the British Museum. We assumed it was an official Leica dealer from all the Leica books and Leica training certificates littered around, but it is not, as we later discovered.

We were sold a new M8 body and on request given the cashback deal that Leica were offering - oddly rather than us pay the full price and claim the cashback using a form and receipt as is usually necessary, they gave us the discount straight away.

We also wanted to know about the Leica passport paperwork but the salesman said that the M8 didn't get the passport. Anyway, slightly confused, we went off with our new camera.

I was concerned about not getting passport (it gives 2 years of insurance against any damage, even accidental, but the camera has to be an official UK import to get it), so I emailed Leica UK.

They said: "I can confirm that Classic Camera is not an authorised dealer for Leica UK" and that our camera was not an official UK import. Instead it was a 2007 model sold to a dealer in Malta (they checked the serial number).

We complained to the owner of Classic Camera and asked for a refund, but he would not accept that his salesman or his business model was in the wrong in any way. He refused to issue a refund.

The camera seems fine and we do the one-year EU warranty, and we did get a discount, so things could be worse. But they should have been better! We did not get the passport (taking out insurance for two years will be at least £100) and we were treated in a very underhand way.

The shop may deny these facts, but whether you believe me about the sales tactics or not, the fact is they are not a Leica dealer and Leica does not trade with them so they cannot sell official UK imports. If you buy a new Leica there, you don't know where it came from and you will not get the passport either.

Regards

WW