Luigi M-Mate2 M8/9 bottom plate

[Glider]

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Dear Friends:

 

In an earlier thread and post, I commented about the rapid fulfillment of my order for one of Luigi Crescenzi's MMate2 bottom plates for my black M9 last month (July 2010), in spite of Luigi being on vacation. After receiving the product, I discovered that the paint (black anodized?) finish was uneven and seemed to actually rub off a bit, particularly on the memory card door, less so on the battery door, and even a little on the main part of the base plate. The inside was very evenly finished. The hinges and magnets were fine.

 

I sent Luigi an e-mail, which he likely missed because of his vacation. So, earlier today, I resent the e-mail, to which he responded this evening. I have appreciated Luigi's product quality, having previously purchased two half cases from him, and expected the same from the MMate2. He suggested that I return the product at my expense, which I will do tomorrow. While he indicated his concern regarding my experience with the MMate2, he additionally suggested that the shipment of the repaired/refinished/replaced product will also be at my expense. (I originally paid a premium for FedEx express delivery service.) Given quality questions posted on this forum regarding the MMate2, I'll post again with details as to how and when this situation is resolved.

 

In the meantime, I've very curious about the experiences of other forum members when using the MMate2, with particular attention to the paint/anodized finish. Thanks for your thoughts on this matter!

 

-= Jon =-

[roofus]

I think it is premature and inappropriate to lodge a complaint, even in rather oblique terms, until the other party has been given an opportunity to resolve the matter!

[Glider]

Roofus,

 

I apologize for offending, nor did I intend to cast aspersions upon Mr. Crescenzi. Indeed, the earlier thread included some criticism of Luigi, whereas I was very complimentary of him. I very much appreciate the design and quality of his products. However, I'm anxious about the finish of my particular sample of his MMate2, and am hopeful of some reassurance from fellow forum members that my experience is a fluke. The MMate2 is not inexpensive; furthermore, the deterioration of the finish is a legitimate concern that could pose problems for my camera should any flaking occur on the inner surface of the MMate2. And, I'm concerned about adding additional expense without being assured that the end result of all of this will be favorable.

 

With sincere contrition, yet with honest anxiety,

-= Jon =-

[kalex]

I think it is premature and inappropriate to lodge a complaint, even in rather oblique terms, until the other party has been given an opportunity to resolve the matter!

 

Nothing premature or inappropriate. Glider emailed him and got a response. To begin with you are paying premium for "Italian quality" from Luigi which is not cheap. Customer gets defective goods and Luigi asks him to pay for shipping back to Italy as well as pay for shipping of the replacement (fixed) plate. He already paid for Fedex shipping once. So lets do the math. I believe Luigi charges $23 for fedex shipment so that right there is $23 x 3 = $69. What happens if replacement plate comes in with same problems? To be frank these problems can be expected from "imitations" as Luigi likes to call them but not from the master himself. Then again he is probably on vacation, somebody else is running the shop and probably shipped the plate without QA which to the customer is not acceptable.

[marknorton]

As always, a picture tells a thousand words, and it would have been helpful if the OP had included a picture of the defect both for us here and in his email to Luigi to allow him to judge whether the quality was off or whether the purchaser should actually get himself a life.

 

I don't much care for Luigi's cases, still less his ghastly web-site, but fine leather work does not immediately qualify you to start churning out anodised aluminium components and I expect he sub-contracts out the work to a metal finishing workshop who probably didn't know what they were letting themselves in for.

 

So, how about an image of the "uneven finish" so that we can judge whether the complaint is valid or whether it's really a case of much ado about nothing?

 

As for shipping costs, if the product is faulty, I don't think the buyer should have to pay in either direction. That said, I've lost count of what I've spent shipping Leica products back to Solms for them to complete the manufacturing and QA process which they chose to cut short the first time around.

[Glider]

Dear Kalex and MarkNorton,

 

Thank you for your postings, and supportive words. I apologize for not including a photo; the product is already packed and ready to go on its way to Italy. In my haste to deal with this quickly, I totally blanked on preparing a photograph. Dumb, I know. In any event, I appreciate the advice.

 

-= Jon =-