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Heads up: pre-order special offer at Leica Store London


ottocrat

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Just thought I'd share with you that the Leica Store in Mayfair, London, is offering an extended warranty to the first 300 people to pre-order an X1 (starting Monday, though she took my preorder today over the phone). So they are offering a three year warranty instead of the standard two years. Not a huge deal - I'd have preferred a free viewfinder or case! - but might be of interest to some. They require a £450 deposit which they will take immediately though it is refundable if you change your mind, I was told. This was also the first time I'd heard an announced price for the X1 in the UK: £1320. At current exchange rates that offers pretty good value over the €1550/€1600 price tag on the continent.

 

The lady who phoned me also confirmed that there would definitely not be any deliveries by Christmas; but she guaranteed delivery by end January 2010.

 

Finally, they were not taking pre-orders on any accessories yet.

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There was a rebate with the DL4 and that probably boosted sales. Personally, I don't feel an extra year is that enticing of an incentive since the downpayment is so hefty.

 

Ottocat, did they know the prices for any accessories? I'm still very courious about the geen-light manual focus while using the viewfinder. Thanks for keeping us posted on what Leica is doing with the X1. My local shop knows nothing yet. I guess San Pedro is NOT the center of the universe.

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No prices on accessories yet unfortunately.

Harrison Cameras in Sheffield lists the 36mm viewfinder at £229; the erc at £124 and the hand-grip at £114 so they must have received some advice from Leica UK. Hope this helps.

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The free case at Dales is much more tempting since you actually benefit.

 

Sorry, I was referring to the person Dale who suggested organizing a forum 'bulk buy' of the X1 but failed to think about the logistics or even look into if anyone would even consider such a deal.

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I just rang Leica Mayfair to ask about the offer as I have already ordered an X1 from another dealer but have not as yet paid a deposit. At the time I ordered the X1 a couple of weeks ago the dealer had just 6 other orders.

 

Leica Mayfair confirmed to me the offer is correct ie £1320 firm price if the deposit is paid now and includes a 3 year warranty. The gentleman I spoke to also said this is a "worldwide offer".

 

Thus I rang my dealer - I'm not naming the dealer - and they said they were unaware of the offer but would ring me back after they had approached Leica Milton Keynes. My dealer then rang me to say that Leica Milton Keynes were unaware of the offer! My dealer also said that if Leica Mayfair had confirmed the offer to me then it is probably something they (my dealer) would probably hear about via a 'piece of paper' from Leica (Milton Keynes?) and that maybe they might hear soon. My dealer offered to take my deposit now - even though he had not been advised officially of the offer by Leica. I declined to pay the deposit until the dealer knows for sure so now my dealer will contact me as soon as the offer is official ie on that 'piece of paper' :D . Maybe that piece of paper might be stacked up in Royal Mail Depot somewhere?

 

Thus seems to me that Leica Mayfair could have been given preferential notice of the offer and could well be upsetting regular dealers. And if Leica Milton Keynes is unaware of the offer then how does Leica Mayfair get to know about it?

 

Seems as if there are some communications issues as well as possible political issues at work or not at work here.

 

Anyway, Leica Mayfair definitely stated to me on the phone the offer is correct ie £1320 firm with a £450 deposit and a 3 year warranty.

 

And that offer according to Leica Mayfair stands irrespective of any Leica price increase in January. I'm not sure about the probable VAT increase w.e.f. 01/01/10 as the tax point date of the invoice which governs the VAT rate is bound to be 01/01/10 or later depending on when the first cameras are available.

 

However, my dealer said that in cases like this where a firm price is quoted then the dealer would have to absorb the VAT increase themselves.

 

As stated herein I'm not going to name my dealer but suffice to say is not a London dealer. Maybe some other forum members might wish to ask the three London dealers to see if they are officially aware of the offer?

 

Regarding Leica Milton Keynes apparently being unaware of the offer - this sounds rather odd? Surely someone at Milton keynes must be aware? Maybe a Leica Milton Keynes internal memo is doing the rounds and the person my dealer spoke to has not seen it yet and had a chance to read it and "tick it" :D

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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Regarding Leica Milton Keynes apparently being unaware of the offer - this sounds rather odd?

 

Not in my experience. I've had some good experiences with Leica UK, but I've also had a well known employee there treat me like an idiot and lie to me.

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And that offer according to Leica Mayfair stands irrespective of any Leica price increase in January. I'm not sure about the probable VAT increase w.e.f. 01/01/10 as the tax point date of the invoice which governs the VAT rate is bound to be 01/01/10 or later depending on when the first cameras are available.

 

However, my dealer said that in cases like this where a firm price is quoted then the dealer would have to absorb the VAT increase themselves.

Good point and welcome news.

 

Must be a real headache for Leica (and others) trying to fix a UK price point at present with the dodgy exchange rate. Fortunately I'm in the lucky position of earning in euros and spending (mostly) in pounds... long may near-parity continue... ;)

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Five weeks ago I rang Leica Mayfair to ask if the X1 can be fitted to my APO-Televid 82 scope. I was told: "No. Not possible because of the lens. Definately not."

 

I was planning to go to London this week to buy a DLux 4 with adaptor but something made me 'phone Leica again. A different gentleman answered. I asked the same question - can the X1 be fitted to a scope? He said he wasn't sure if the X1 would fit, but said he would ring me back.

 

Two hours later he rang to say that the X1 does fit the scope with a generic adaptor, and they had in fact rigged it up in the shop and he said "it works better than with a DLux4". Consequently i've shelled out the deposit and Thursday I'll be looking at their demo X1 lashed on to a Televid. But I guess you all knew it would fit?

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What's with all the 'pieces of paper' ? Hasn't anyone heard of e mail?

 

I think the dealer was being a bit facetious ie implying that MK hadn't and that communications are rec'd by snail mail :D

 

Still have not heard from dealer ie no confirmation about the 'worldwide offer' on the X1.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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Five weeks ago I rang Leica Mayfair to ask if the X1 can be fitted to my APO-Televid 82 scope. I was told: "No. Not possible because of the lens. Definately not."

 

I was planning to go to London this week to buy a DLux 4 with adaptor but something made me 'phone Leica again. A different gentleman answered. I asked the same question - can the X1 be fitted to a scope? He said he wasn't sure if the X1 would fit, but said he would ring me back.

 

Two hours later he rang to say that the X1 does fit the scope with a generic adaptor, and they had in fact rigged it up in the shop and he said "it works better than with a DLux4". Consequently i've shelled out the deposit and Thursday I'll be looking at their demo X1 lashed on to a Televid. But I guess you all knew it would fit?

 

 

Result!

 

I'm beginning to think I was a bit hasty should have waited and ordered an X1 from Mayfair ;) Hopefully, MK will confirm the offer to UK dealers soon. If they don't, then where did Mayfair receive their offer instruction from?

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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I don’t know guys. I still can’t help looking at the cost of the X1 with the viewfinder combined with the Leica system case. Then I look at the street price of the 5D Mk II body. I wonder if I’m the only photog scratching my head.

Regards, :confused:

Daniel, I don't understand the point your making here because the 5D Mk II and the X1 are totally different animals. :confused: (Live view + 21MP + high ISO + HD video + no lens etc versus compact camera + fixed lens + APS sensor etc.)

 

Pete.

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Daniel, I don't understand the point your making here because the 5D Mk II and the X1 are totally different animals. :confused: (Live view + 21MP + high ISO + HD video + no lens etc versus compact camera + fixed lens + APS sensor etc.)

 

Pete.

 

I like apples...

 

But I also like oranges...

 

Which one is better...?

 

There's only one way to find out...

FIIIIGHT!!!

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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