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The Photo Village in NYC


Tytan

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I am not a fan of photo village. When I wanted to purchase a M body and lens from them, my credit card approval was not sufficient. The store requested additional ID info due to the size of the purchase. I've never received such a response from any other dealer in nearly 40 years, even when the purchase amount was higher.

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If they are an authorized dealer, they aren't of the ilk of the many authorized dealers in Europe who (according to testimonies made on this forum) (seem to) know how to stand behind their product and take care of their customers with a view toward a long term relationship. I'll leave it at that...

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Years ago when they first started I know they were an authorized dealer, I made several purchases from them. I even stopped in the store once, owner seemed like a nice guy. Then one time I made a purchase and they told me they wouldn't accept my business credit card because the processing fee was too high, I would have to use my personal credit card. So I took my business elsewhere then and ever since. See, the thing is, in the USA when it comes to new, USA Leica products, the price is the same at any authorized dealer in the country, so it all comes down to owner/staff attitude and customer service.

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I am not a fan of photo village. When I wanted to purchase a M body and lens from them, my credit card approval was not sufficient. The store requested additional ID info due to the size of the purchase. I've never received such a response from any other dealer in nearly 40 years, even when the purchase amount was higher.

 

I don't have a pro or com comment about Photo Village because I have not dealt with them, but I do think this criticism is unjustified. Given the amount of credit card fraud, I can't be critical of a retailer that takes extra precautions. Suppose the purchaser had been a fraudster who had stolen your card or identity. You would be thrilled if the extra effort had resulted in the fraudster's arrest.

 

As I recall, retailers bare some of the risk of fraud. Hard to criticize a smaller retailer (as compared to B&H) for being cautious.

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Thanks for everyone's replies.

 

I guess my question regarding their Leica authorised dealership status pertains to warranty issues.

For eg, if one purchases a new Leica product from them, and in the warranty card or guarantee booklet fills out The Photo Village as the dealer, will Leica recognise and honour the warranty, because as far as i know, the 'dealer' needs to be a Leica authorised dealer in order for the warranty to be honoured.. Am i not right?

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Pete -

 

I may have misunderstood you - Authorized Leica dealers, such as B&H sell cameras other than Leica. Perhaps you were referring to Leica Boutiques?

Actually I was thinking of The Classic Camera in London, Stuart, which I understood lost its authorised Leica dealer status because it insisted on continuing to sell other brands of cameras and lenses alongside Leica. In light of B&H's position perhaps TCC lost its status for other reasons.

 

Pete.

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I am not a fan of photo village. When I wanted to purchase a M body and lens from them, my credit card approval was not sufficient. The store requested additional ID info due to the size of the purchase. I've never received such a response from any other dealer in nearly 40 years, even when the purchase amount was higher.

 

Plus, they have a 20% restocking fee on returns. That's pretty rare in the US.

 

John

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Actually I was thinking of The Classic Camera in London, Stuart, which I understood lost its authorised Leica dealer status because it insisted on continuing to sell other brands of cameras and lenses alongside Leica. In light of B&H's position perhaps TCC lost its status for other reasons

 

I don't know why TCC lost its delearship, but I suspect it was for other reasons than this. I've wondered if they were selling grey imports, but as I say I don't know.

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So do Ffordes, Wilkinson - just to quote 2 Leica dealers I'm familiar with.

 

Yes, there's also Harrods, Selfridges, Park Cameras (recently became an authorised dealer again), RG Lewis, Bass & Bligh, Harrisons, etc.. In fact, I think Leica-only authorised dealers like Red Dot and Caplan are very much the exception, rather than the rule.

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I believe PhotoVillage is an authorized dealer. I have bought from them several times without issues (both new and used). (I no longer work in Manhattan so am using a local dealer near where I live).

 

Frankly, to nick them because they want ID on a credit card or prefer one with lower charges is not very fair. The retail camera business is tough enough without dealing with potential credit card fraud.

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I've bought a few small things there in the past. Can't speak for them as a Leica dealership (they sell all sorts of used Leica kit) but they are the other US importer of Voigtländer after Steve Gandy, so CV gear carries the manufacturer's warranty; bought at B&H, you get a warranty from the shop, not Cosina.

 

As mentioned above, they cannot be blamed for trying to reduce cost by asking for a better credit card or more ID when the sale consists of high-priced items. Many foreign visitors pass through and they are right to protect themselves against fraud.

 

Personally, I've found their prices to be on the high side and have opted against making a large purchase there--in the US (for the moment at least) purchases across state lines are not subject to local taxes so there's an advantage to buying elsewhere.

 

But it's a quaint little shop with uncommonly seen used items for sale with sales people who are congenial and fair.

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Guest d.sge
Thanks for everyone's replies.

 

I guess my question regarding their Leica authorised dealership status pertains to warranty issues.

For eg, if one purchases a new Leica product from them, and in the warranty card or guarantee booklet fills out The Photo Village as the dealer, will Leica recognise and honour the warranty, because as far as i know, the 'dealer' needs to be a Leica authorised dealer in order for the warranty to be honoured.. Am i not right?

 

I purchased my MP a la carte through them. They put me in touch with Leica NJ to have infinity adjusted under warranty when it drifted this past summer . All of my many, many, many experiences with them have been great. Highly recommended.

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