Question: M8 via DHL

[fotografr]

I've been notified by Solms that my M8 has been sent back via DHL, but when I requested a tracking number I was told they can only track to the German border, so I would not be able to trace beyond that. Therefore, I have no idea when to expect the package or what recourse to take if it doesn't show up in a reasonable time frame.

Those of you who have had their M8 returned by DHL, can you tell me how long it normally takes and whether someone is required to sign for delivery? Have there been any bad experiences--like lost cameras?

[arthury]

I have had DHL as my courier before and I could track the packge all the way to my door. And, DHL is one of the major American couriers for international shipping, how could it not track your package --- sounds lame to me.

What happens when you track it on the DHL website right now?

[marknorton]

My camera was a long time coming back so I contacted CS and they told me it had not been dispatched because of computer failure.

DHL are normally extremely reliable - just like Fedex and UPS - and their transit time to the US will be something like 2 - 3 days. Might depend on the actual service being used but Leica will have a bulk deal with them which I expect will include insurance.

[marknorton]

Originally Posted by arthury

DHL is one of the major American couriers for international shipping

Actually, DHL is owned by the German Post Office - DeutschePost.

[johnbuckley]

Brent - my thoughts are with you. My M8 was released from Solms on January 25th, and though I was told by Leica in NJ that it had arrived there Monday, I still haven't gotten it back! Like waiting to buy it all over again! Maddening!

[guy_mancuso]

John if it came in on a container than it needs to clear customs usally that happens Tuesday and leica unpacks starting Wednesday and than they normally ship 2nd day air. Hopefully end of the week if they ship the repaired units first.

[j. borger]

You guys in the US are loosing weeks getting the camera in and out of the US.
What a complex and frustrating way to get packages in & out the country
Using a courier who takes care of customs clearance ..... i get all my packages from the US (from Amazon or whatever i buy from) within 48 hours ..... why does Leica USA have to interfere ... just curious

[fotografr]

Thanks for the information and good wishes. Here is the text of an email I received this morning:

"Good morning,

parcel number is 634494 940564, but you cannot trace this parcel. We are able to trace it up to german border only. I can see that parcel was in freight-station on Frankfurt/m airport yesterday and ready to ship abroad. Obviously it is right over the ocean now. Will be in your hands within 10 days. Hoping this information will help."

When I enter the numbers on the DHL site to track the package, I get a message that the numbers are not valid. I am astounded that Leica would send a $5,000 camera to me with no ability to track the package and no apparent recourse if it gets lost. This seems nuts to me.

[bnelson]

Can we US customers send our cameras back to Solms direct without going through New Jersey? If so would this not speed up the process even if it cost us a little?

Bill

[guy_mancuso]

Originally Posted by j. borger

You guys in the US are loosing weeks getting the camera in and out of the US.
What a complex and frustrating way to get packages in & out the country
Using a courier who takes care of customs clearance ..... i get all my packages from the US (from Amazon or whatever i buy from) within 48 hours ..... why does Leica USA have to interfere ... just curious

I think Leica takes care of all the custom paper work for you from leica USA.I was told to ship to NJ with a marker on the outside of the box M8 that way it goes on a special pallet and gets shipped to Germany and comes back through the US through Leica to handle the customs on it. Mine all went through NJ so I don't know all the details.

[arthury]

Originally Posted by marknorton

Actually, DHL is owned by the German Post Office - DeutschePost.

You're right ... it was acquired. I believe it started off as American delivering flowers, didn't it?

[fotografr]

Originally Posted by bnelson

Can we US customers send our cameras back to Solms direct without going through New Jersey? If so would this not speed up the process even if it cost us a little?

Bill

Bill--That's what I did. I sent it directly to Solms viaFedEx at my expense and it got there in 3 days. That's partly why I'm disappointed now to find that it was sent back using their regular carrier. I had been told it would be sent back using FedEx.

[marknorton]

That's one of very very few benefits to the European Union - the ability to send stuff without customs getting in the way. Everything else is a bureaucratic nightmare.

[fotografr]

Originally Posted by marknorton

That's one of very very few benefits to the European Union - the ability to send stuff without customs getting in the way. Everything else is a bureaucratic nightmare.

The thing that trips the wire at US Customs is the camera being an "electronic device." I get lenses from Hong Kong in 3 days, but for some reason our government is paranoid about objects with wires and batteries.