M9: Passport warranty differs between countries?

[parasko]

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Hi all,

 

I purchased the M9 and in my excitement forgot to check what type of warranty the camera has

 

I purchased from Robert White (UK) but I'm from Australia. I'm assuming it has at least 1 year back to Solms if service required. 2 years maybe?

 

I will drop them a line to find out but I'm interested if the UK warranty differs from the US?

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[chris_tribble]

SFAIK there's no Passport warranty in the states - it may even be unique to the UK. Passport's great as if even covers against accidental damage. I dropped my M8 while it was under Passport warranty and the RF was fixed free-of-charge under passport. I've even heard of one case where a lens fell from the roof of a car and was smashed (the owner was changing lenses at the time) and this was replaced under passport...

 

re length of warranty - I think it's two years for lenses and mechanical bodies, one for digital bodies.

[jaapv]

If you bought from the UK you must fill out the passport warranty form and send it with a copy of the invoice to Leica UK. They will send you the passport. This extended guaranty which covers accidental damage as well is valid worldwide and will be honoured by Solms. It is the main reason I buy my gear in the UK.

[wattsy]

M9 bodies bought from UK authorised dealers come with a 2 year Passport Warranty covering accidental damage. Separate to this is the standard 2 year worldwide warranty against normal mechanical defects. In theory you will have to send the item to Milton Keynes for repairs under the Passport warranty but in practice Solms or NJ will probably do them.

[jaapv]

From experience - Solms will do them without a quibble.

[theendlesshouse]

I have just been through the same issue. Your warranty card needs to be stamped and or signed by the dealer whom sold you the camera on one side, your details go on the other. You send this in with the camera for repair.

[dfarkas]

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In the USA, there is no Passport warranty on M9, just a standard 2-year warranty.

 

New USA lenses are covered by a 3-year Passport warranty, which covers accidental damage (even water damage).

 

David

[wattsy]

In the USA, there is no Passport warranty on M9, just a standard 2-year warranty.

 

There is one (in effect) if you buy from an authorised UK dealer (e.g. Red Dot or Robert White). You are probably more likely to get the camera as well.

[250swb]

M9 bodies bought from UK authorised dealers come with a 2 year Passport Warranty covering accidental damage. Separate to this is the standard 2 year worldwide warranty against normal mechanical defects. In theory you will have to send the item to Milton Keynes for repairs under the Passport warranty but in practice Solms or NJ will probably do them.

 

Hmmmm, my M9 is purchased from an authorised UK dealer and the Passport card is only valid for one year? November 2009 to November 2010. Do you guys really have one stamped for two years?

 

Steve

[jaapv]

My M9 one is valid for two years.

And, btw, passport guaranty is transferable to a next owner.

[250swb]

Well I like it to much to think about selling it before a year is up. What it must mean is that they sold me a very strong and reliable M9, some sort of quality control superstar, and it doesn't need a two year Passport. But I will drop them an email in any case....

 

Steve

[wattsy]

Do you guys really have one stamped for two years

 

Yes (expiry 8/10/2011).

[spylaw4]

Recently the period of Passport validity was reduced by Leica UK from two to one year - possibly because of costs. So both Jaap and Steve are correct!

 

A point to bear in mind is that that Leica UK should receive the completed Passport form and copy invoice within 28 days of the date of purchase.

[wattsy]

A point to bear in mind is that that Leica UK should receive the completed Passport form and copy invoice within 28 days of the date of purchase.

 

That's what the form states but they don't hold you to it. I usually send the paperwork in some months after buying and I've never had a problem receiving the passport. I hadn't heard about the reduction to one year - presumably this has happened since I bought my M9 in October?

[novice9]

I find it just ridiculous that Leica has different warranty policies on the same products in different countries and regions. As an aside, when I purchased my M9 I paid an extra $300 for an all inclusive warranty covering everything but loss of item (ie, loss/theft not covered, water damage/accidental dropping, kicking, etc. covered). I would have bought it even if Leica offered a 1 year passport in the US, it seemed a no-brainer to me.

[250swb]

Recently the period of Passport validity was reduced by Leica UK from two to one year - possibly because of costs. So both Jaap and Steve are correct!

 

A point to bear in mind is that that Leica UK should receive the completed Passport form and copy invoice within 28 days of the date of purchase.

 

I'll see what the reply from Leica says, but I'm fairly sure they can't simply have stamped it wrongly so yes, I assume one year is correct for mine. It does come across as a stealthy price hike (in terms of benefits) if the Passport period changed after I ordered my M9, and before I got it. Its hardly anybody's fault who was on a waiting list that Leica didn't have enough cameras, and if the dealer can hold to a price, why can't Leica hold to the Passport scheme in place when the camera was ordered? But such is life, nothings perfect, and at least the battery works.

 

Steve

[spylaw4]

That's what the form states but they don't hold you to it. I usually send the paperwork in some months after buying and I've never had a problem receiving the passport. I hadn't heard about the reduction to one year - presumably this has happened since I bought my M9 in October?

 

Yes Ian, it did. My M9 (early November) only has the one year Passport.

 

Although Leica UK are pretty reasonable about the time limit for Passport submission, IMO it would be best to adhere to it as far as possible - policies can change without warning!

[andybarton]

I find it just ridiculous that Leica has different warranty policies on the same products in different countries and regions.

 

It's because Leica operate as different companies in different countries. Leica UK are allowed to offer something completely different with regards to warranty from Leica US for example. And they do.

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[250swb]

Whoever thought up the Leica UK policy seems to be giving a big kick in the teeth to their regional dealerships if they can change the passport scheme after the introduction of the M9, and it amounts to pretty blatant discrimination. Heres how it works.

 

Leica rightly plan to send a mega mover London dealer more M9's than a regional dealer. So the guy who is tenth on the list in London easily gets his M9 in the first batch, and gets a 2 year Passport. But the shop 'up north' only gets five cameras, so the guy who is tenth on the list has to wait six more weeks and only gets a one year Passport, even though its entirely possible he had his name down before the chap in London! I think the guy 'up north' would rightly feel his shop and himself had been discriminated against.

 

Leica could have properly sorted this in two easy ways, just give all the dealers exactly the same number of cameras in the first batch then say 'we are now changing the Passport scheme', or keep the 2 year scheme going until all initial orders were fulfilled.

 

As it is, with any new camera release that may have potential benefits attached (implied or possible, like the reduction or removal of the Passport altogether), it can't pay to go to a regional dealer to place your order. What will my dealer think when I tell him I'm ordering my M10 from a London shop because Leica don't like 'us up north'? ;-)

 

Steve

[parasko]

Geez...I thought I was asking a very simple question when commencing this thread!

 

So to summarise:

1. Previous 2 year UK passport warranty for M9 has now been reduced to 1 year.

2. Passport warranty is for accidental damage but a 2 year standard warranty is still in place for mechanical defects.

3. Passport must be received by Leica within 28 days of purchase to be valid.

4. Camera can be sent to Solms or UK for repair, whether under passport or standard warranty.

5. Leica is screwing its regional dealers and encouraging customers to purchase from major dealers by changing its Passport scheme.

6. Lastly, Australian importers continue to screw their customers via ridiculous markup of photographic equipment, Leica and otherwise..(I thought I'd add this last one, just in case you lads thought you had it tough )

 

Apart from the last two points, is this accurate?

 

 

Whoever thought up the Leica UK policy seems to be giving a big kick in the teeth to their regional dealerships if they can change the passport scheme after the introduction of the M9, and it amounts to pretty blatant discrimination. Heres how it works.

 

Leica rightly plan to send a mega mover London dealer more M9's than a regional dealer. So the guy who is tenth on the list in London easily gets his M9 in the first batch, and gets a 2 year Passport. But the shop 'up north' only gets five cameras, so the guy who is tenth on the list has to wait six more weeks and only gets a one year Passport, even though its entirely possible he had his name down before the chap in London! I think the guy 'up north' would rightly feel his shop and himself had been discriminated against.

 

Leica could have properly sorted this in two easy ways, just give all the dealers exactly the same number of cameras in the first batch then say 'we are now changing the Passport scheme', or keep the 2 year scheme going until all initial orders were fulfilled.

 

As it is, with any new camera release that may have potential benefits attached (implied or possible, like the reduction or removal of the Passport altogether), it can't pay to go to a regional dealer to place your order. What will my dealer think when I tell him I'm ordering my M10 from a London shop because Leica don't like 'us up north'? ;-)

 

Steve