Buying Leica SL lens from Japan, China, Hong Kong

[Fang]

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When you register a Leica product for warranty purposes, I believe you have to state the store of purchase. You are saying that putting down the name of store that isn't an authorized dealer will not be an issue? Or do you simply skip that field? Thanks.

 

If you have registered your Leica products before, you will know that there is no field or questions that requires you to state the store of purchase.  I buy Leica is because Leica warranty its product whether you are the second owner or new - its Leica and that is all that matters.  

 

I cannot imagine a professional photographer travelling around the world with problem Leica product denied local service because it was not bought in their local stores.

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[Einst_Stein]

In US, normally Leica does not need the original invpice or proof of purchased when an item is serviced. My understanding is an authorized dealer would report to Leica when an item is sold so that Leica can put it into the data base.

 

However, I have been asked by Leica service to show my original invoice of the T camera to clarify the warranty. I got a quote of the service charge before I gave my authotization to proceed the repair, but after the completion Leica waived to fee completely due to some details of the damage and the coverage of the warranty.

 

So I am not completely sure if it matters where the camera was bought.

[kingson138]

Folks, I think you might want to look into Leica Stores in Singapore. Very easy to check their prices, just search for Leica Store in Singapore. As Foreigners you can get about 5.9% GST (Sales Tax) refund. Plus they have rebates from time to time.

The Leica Stores in Hong Kong is not owned by Schmidt anymore. They claimed to be owned by Leica Directly. (Now called Leica Shanghai). The HK Leica Store increased prices on all items. For example I bought the SL in HK Leica before take over at HK48,000.00. Now possibly not possible after the changes in ownership. Leica Store in Singapore is also owned by Leica directly. I had found that their prices on M10, Noctilux etc are cheaper.

I bought my Leica Q Camouflage in their store. Great prices. I also bought the Noctilux 0.95 there. At that time the HK prices for that was HKD88,800.00 +. I Paid about HKD72,000.00 at Leica Store Singapore after GST refund at the airport.

I live in HK but I do travel to Singapore to buy Leica goods from Leica Store. Also another store at Marina Bay Sands Singapore has great prices. Called Lumen by Alain Photo. By the Way Leica Store is also there. So you can make comparison. Lee at Lumen is always ready to make great deals with you. Authorized dealer for many brands too. Address is: B2-245, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972. Phone: 65 6688 7478. You can take MRT there, the last station is Marina Bay Sands.

First search for Leica Store Singapore and get some conversion rates. Their prices on the web included Sales Tax (GST) which will be refunded to you at Airport. Bring your passport when visiting those stores!

 

Hint: For best Leica Store prices in HK, go to the Leica Store at the Hong Kong Airport Terminal. Their prices just might be a bit better. 

[Einst_Stein]

http://www.leica-store.sg/photography/leica-sl-system/lenses.html

checked this site, not cheap at all. even with 5% tax return, still much more expensive than B&H at New York.

Hong Kong grey market price is about 25% lower.  

[sillbeers15]

Folks, I think you might want to look into Leica Stores in Singapore. Very easy to check their prices, just search for Leica Store in Singapore. As Foreigners you can get about 5.9% GST (Sales Tax) refund. Plus they have rebates from time to time.

The Leica Stores in Hong Kong is not owned by Schmidt anymore. They claimed to be owned by Leica Directly. (Now called Leica Shanghai). The HK Leica Store increased prices on all items. For example I bought the SL in HK Leica before take over at HK48,000.00. Now possibly not possible after the changes in ownership. Leica Store in Singapore is also owned by Leica directly. I had found that their prices on M10, Noctilux etc are cheaper.

I bought my Leica Q Camouflage in their store. Great prices. I also bought the Noctilux 0.95 there. At that time the HK prices for that was HKD88,800.00 +. I Paid about HKD72,000.00 at Leica Store Singapore after GST refund at the airport.

I live in HK but I do travel to Singapore to buy Leica goods from Leica Store. Also another store at Marina Bay Sands Singapore has great prices. Called Lumen by Alain Photo. By the Way Leica Store is also there. So you can make comparison. Lee at Lumen is always ready to make great deals with you. Authorized dealer for many brands too. Address is: B2-245, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972. Phone: 65 6688 7478. You can take MRT there, the last station is Marina Bay Sands.

First search for Leica Store Singapore and get some conversion rates. Their prices on the web included Sales Tax (GST) which will be refunded to you at Airport. Bring your passport when visiting those stores!

 

Hint: For best Leica Store prices in HK, go to the Leica Store at the Hong Kong Airport Terminal. Their prices just might be a bit better.

I'm from Singapore and am familiar with the Leca Stores. However price comparision is only half the story, check if what you want is available in exstock. Else be prepared to prepay and wait for Leica to produce and distribute. if you are a regular with Leica store in SG, you can likely get further discounts for non fast moving lenses and other items not to mention QM stock M10s at 10% discount.

[kingson138]

http://www.leica-store.sg/photography/leica-sl-system/lenses.html

checked this site, not cheap at all. even with 5% tax return, still much more expensive than B&H at New York.

Hong Kong grey market price is about 25% lower.  

 

Hi I am well aware of the Hong Kong Grey Market prices. In fact they are very very low if you know where to go. There is only one problem. Their invoices are not recognized by the real Leica Dealer Service Department. Purchasers of Grey Market products have to pay high prices for shipping the products to Germany for repairing. Now that is for Warranty products. Sometimes they do refuse warranty services because the products from the Grey Markets were problematic sometimes. I had seen many people buying from Grey Market ended up paying high prices for repairing. Most Leica users or professionals in Hong Kong do not buy from Grey Market. They buy from Dealers or authorized dealers and get maybe 15 to 22% discounts. Yes 22% since Price Setting is illegal in HK now. Authorized retailers are free to sell at any prices they wanted. Their invoices will only show 10% discount but they will only charge you Suggested retail prices less 22%. I bought my Leica products from these retailers before. That is why we do not trust the Grey Market people. In fact a Second Hand dealer who came to collect my Leica products for reselling knows these Grey Market guys and he advised not to trust them. Products from us to the second hand markets have original invoices from authorized retailers so these are fine. Beware of the Grey Market guys in HK. YOu never know where they got the products from.

[kingson138]

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I'm from Singapore and am familiar with the Leca Stores. However price comparision is only half the story, check if what you want is available in exstock. Else be prepared to prepay and wait for Leica to produce and distribute. if you are a regular with Leica store in SG, you can likely get further discounts for non fast moving lenses and other items not to mention QM stock M10s at 10% discount.

Yes you are correct. I do get quite good prices from the Leica Store at ION. I know those guys there. I bought the Leica Q Camouflage there too. That camera is featured at the Thorsten Von Overgaard's website on Leica Q (http://www.overgaard.dk/Leica-Q-Hemingway-digital-rangefinder-.html  scroll down to Limited Edition Q.) The limited edition Q Camouflage there is the picture I gave him. In fact Leica Stores in Singapore could be the only Leica Stores with Overgaard's remarkable Ventilated Lens Shades for Leica Q instock. The Leica guys in Singapore are good guys! They can be trusted. Very good service too. I usually called them for available stock, then they will hold the products for me, I will fly over there to get them. Plane tickets to Singapore is quite cheap nowadays.

[sillbeers15]

Hi I am well aware of the Hong Kong Grey Market prices. In fact they are very very low if you know where to go. There is only one problem. Their invoices are not recognized by the real Leica Dealer Service Department. Purchasers of Grey Market products have to pay high prices for shipping the products to Germany for repairing. Now that is for Warranty products. Sometimes they do refuse warranty services because the products from the Grey Markets were problematic sometimes. I had seen many people buying from Grey Market ended up paying high prices for repairing. Most Leica users or professionals in Hong Kong do not buy from Grey Market. They buy from Dealers or authorized dealers and get maybe 15 to 22% discounts. Yes 22% since Price Setting is illegal in HK now. Authorized retailers are free to sell at any prices they wanted. Their invoices will only show 10% discount but they will only charge you Suggested retail prices less 22%. I bought my Leica products from these retailers before. That is why we do not trust the Grey Market people. In fact a Second Hand dealer who came to collect my Leica products for reselling knows these Grey Market guys and he advised not to trust them. Products from us to the second hand markets have original invoices from authorized retailers so these are fine. Beware of the Grey Market guys in HK. YOu never know where they got the products from.

Fact 1: Leica warranty is international (I've personally checked with Leica store in Singapore), the Leica service centre will accept all international warranty. Purchased from local or overseas, all Leica Cameras and lenses get send back to Germany for servicing & repair.

Fact 2: Leica only recognise money and not customers, just like a prostitude to a customer kind of bed fellow relationship. So long as you pay, Leica recognises you. For purchasing grey market products, you take a risk as you enjoy huge discount upfront. So even if a slight set back in slower service support does not matter indeed if the discounts are attractive enough, agree?

[cpclee]

Fact 1: Leica warranty is international (I've personally checked with Leica store in Singapore), the Leica service centre will accept all international warranty. Purchased from local or overseas, all Leica Cameras and lenses get send back to Germany for servicing & repair.

Fact 2: Leica only recognise money and not customers, just like a prostitude to a customer kind of bed fellow relationship. So long as you pay, Leica recognises you. For purchasing grey market products, you take a risk as you enjoy huge discount upfront. So even if a slight set back in slower service support does not matter indeed if the discounts are attractive enough, agree?

[Einst_Stein]

I appeaciate your price info about Singapore Leica store. You do not have to defend it against HK grey markey price.

 

The problem is, Singapore Leica price is much higher than BH in New York, rven witj the 5% tax return. So it is not competitive at all.

 

It indeed needs to be aware of the potential risk of grey market items, but the Leica International waranty is not part of that. So sleep well if you have nothing else to worry.

[Einst_Stein]

There are places with Leica price too good to be true.

 

However, a store with unbelievable price advise me to do the Leica registration immediately while I am still in the store. Theoretically, If I can register to Leica official registration site, it imples the setial number does exit, and very unlikely to be fake or preregistered (~= used?) item.

 

i called Leica New Jersy service center, basically it is confirmed this theory.

 

Now, anyone has bad experiences with unauthorized Leica Dealer? Such as got fake one, used one, or?

 

By the way, I got advises from people saying there could be different quality grade of the same model. The Leica items sold to some area could have lower quality. I checked with Leica center, this is not true. Leica does not have the quality binning system for different area. There is only one grade, So I believe the quality grade by regions is only rumors spread by unauthorized dealer that tries to scare people from buying cheaper stores.