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I "accidentally" bought an M240.


Shade

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Yes, wierd title.

 

But it was a freak thing that I never thought would happen.

 

I had hopes to get an M240, but I thought with all the demands running sky-high, and many of the "resellers" are selling at a huge premium, I would just wait and see. Besides, I have never seen what and how it performs like. So I thought, ah who cares, we'll just see if I get one, then I get one. So a few months (3 months earlier), I exchanged my M9-P with an M-E, pure cosmetics reasons, and I was happy with it. I got the M-E in an unused, like new, complete with box and papers conditions. And was only recently purchased for a week. I snapped it up with a decent price, sold my M9P, and actually made a slight credit from it.

 

How happy I was. Got a "new" camera, and got money too! LOL. Life couldn't get better.

 

So last night, I was just browsing around the forums, reading stuffs, replying comments and editing some photos, I suddenly felt I wanted to check the local listings for leica cameras and lenses. They rarely change and well nothing was really interesting usually, because they usually sell from somebody to somebody straight away down here, rarely passing the listing.

 

But I was bored, and kinda jobless, and couldn't sleep.

 

So I browsed my local listings, and did a search for LEICA.

 

Lo-and-behold, the most recent listing, was for a black M240 + 35/2 Summicron, NEW, UNUSED, complete, under Singapore Warranty. It was intended as gift for his wife, but his wife didnt want it, and opted for an X2 instead. Thus it was for sale. And the listing was just posted 10 minutes ago (when I clicked the search).

 

I contacted the seller, and he asked for a 10,000 USD price. I was a bit skeptical, firstly, it's unused. If it's true, then thats well below list price for both the camera and lens. I asked him if we could meet up the next day (today), and he said yes. He would gladly show me the items and confirm that both of them have never been used. The battery is not even charged (he said). FYI the retail price where I live is around 8000 USD for the camera and 3200 USD for the lens. Due to high tax.

 

I have always learned when it sounds a bit too good to be true, it may be. So I chose a crowded meeting place (just for precautions), and waited. Then he contacted me, and told me that he's on his way. So off I went.

 

He arrived earlier, with a paper bag, and I chatted with him for a minute or two. Then he took out the goodies, and they were true. I checked, and they all pan out and its in new condition.

 

I was surprised, so I paid the guy off, and I'm left with a brand new M240. I sold the 35/2 cron to friend for 3000, and I haggled the guy for 9500 USD for both items. So in short, I purchased a brand new M240, for 6500.

 

And yes, the battery wasn't even charged. LOL.

 

Welcome M.

 

And I have a friend who will take my M-E. For around 5300 USD.

 

So In total, I only added 1200 USD to upgrade my M-E, to an M240.

 

That's bizzare.

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Aesop, no I did not. But I have a very good relation with my local leica dealer "incase" anything happens. And I know some of the employees in Leica Singapore as well if I should need any assistance. Thus why I wasn't concerned about it.

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He who dares WINS .. & that is exactly what you did. you helped out a mate too so this story is great, I love a tale of great fortune. Please enjoy your new Leica.

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Aesop, no I did not. But I have a very good relation with my local leica dealer "incase" anything happens. And I know some of the employees in Leica Singapore as well if I should need any assistance. Thus why I wasn't concerned about it.

 

 

...Shade, my question was more to do with the legal transfer of title, rather than any future technical issues. But never mind - you sound more than satisfied with all the relevant elements of your purchase so, like someone already said, enjoy your camera.

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...Shade, my question was more to do with the legal transfer of title, rather than any future technical issues. But never mind - you sound more than satisfied with all the relevant elements of your purchase so, like someone already said, enjoy your camera.

 

Hi my friend, I completely understood what you meant. I have been in touch with both Leica reps in my country and Singapore to have no worries.

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I bought a used watch once, and when I asked the seller why he was selling it, he told me that he had such and such watches, which were quite similar. After talking to him for five minutes, I realized that some people, such as those that buy their wives M240s and summicrons without consulting them, just have a lot of money. They simply can't be bothered trying to get every cent of their frivolous purchase back. If you have tried selling something that expensive, you know what a nuisance it can be.

 

This guy was obviously not someone who researches used prices or availability, and it's not like you saved fifty per cent, so I think you are fine.

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I bought a used watch once, and when I asked the seller why he was selling it, he told me that he had such and such watches, which were quite similar. After talking to him for five minutes, I realized that some people, such as those that buy their wives M240s and summicrons without consulting them, just have a lot of money. They simply can't be bothered trying to get every cent of their frivolous purchase back. If you have tried selling something that expensive, you know what a nuisance it can be.

 

This guy was obviously not someone who researches used prices or availability, and it's not like you saved fifty per cent, so I think you are fine.

 

yes, but I suspect that person wouldn't be bothered with meeting a stranger on a busy corner with a brown paper bag and selling it for cash either....just saying.

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...Shade, my question was more to do with the legal transfer of title, rather than any future technical issues. But never mind - you sound more than satisfied with all the relevant elements of your purchase so, like someone already said, enjoy your camera.

 

Hopefully the camera wasn't stolen. It seems odd that a legit owner would sell for less than new prices, especially since he would likely be an educated seller.

 

Hi,

 

Im pretty sure it wasnt stolen. For a few pointers..

 

1. I could register the camera with no hassle.

 

2. He drives a range rover evouqe (its pricey where I live, costs 5x of what I drive)

 

3. He wears an authentic rubber clad black dial AP (yes Im a watch fan and I can tell a fake watch from 1.5 meters away)

 

4. His wife took the car home and I walked him back. He was greeted by name with security guards in a respectable and expensive housing area where I can only dream to afford.

 

I would really thank you for your concern (no sarcasm here), as I fairly know a deal that sounds good may have something fishy about it, but this one turns out fine. He's just one of the guys who buys things without checking back with his wife (his wife uses an x2) and is a hobby photographer.

 

:)

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Aesop, no I did not. But I have a very good relation with my local leica dealer "incase" anything happens. And I know some of the employees in Leica Singapore as well if I should need any assistance. Thus why I wasn't concerned about it.

Not listed as stolen?

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