USA Warranties

[andamanaffair]

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A friend has expressed an interest in purchasing a C Lux 2 whilst on a forthcoming holiday in the States (favourable exchange rate etc). She is a UK resident. I expressed some uncertaincy about warranty entitlements when the camera comes back to the UK.

 

Can somebody advise me as to the warranty provided in the US and how that would be affected upon a return to the UK?

[stuny]

Peter -

 

Leica gear sold in the US by authorized Leica dealers have a "Passport" warranty, providing world-wide coverage for registered owners. With the current exchange rate, if I were visiting from the UK I’d give serious thought to buying Leica gear here. If she buys in New York City she will pay an 8 ½% sales tax, but that is far lower than your VAT. Of course your friend must still consider customs duty.

[lkfosterl]

I tried last year to get my US-purchased Digilux 2 sensor replaced via the Singapore importer. While I was finally able to get the warranty coverage sorted after a lot of phone calls and emails, I was told that I'd have to pay for shipping the camera back to Germany for the repair. As this didn't fit my concept of a warranty repair and I was headed back to the States in a month I decided to pass.

[miami91]

Stuart,

 

Are you sure Leica's compacts carry the "passport" warranty? I'll check when I get home tonight (I own a C-Lux 2 and D-Lux 3), but I'm not sure this is the case --- I think it may be a more limited warranty.

 

I do know that Leica doesn't send out the fancy printed warranty registration cards for the compacts --- I've only ever received these for my Ms, M lenses, and Televid. I associate these cards with the passport service, but maybe that's all in my head.

 

Jeff.

[john_nyc]

They definitely don't carry a Passport warranty. I got my wife a C-lux 2 and I think it's only a 1 year limited warranty (vs the Panasonic which I think is a 90 day).

 

We don't even get Passport on the M8 in the US!

 

John

[miami91]

They definitely don't carry a Passport warranty. I got my wife a C-lux 2 and I think it's only a 1 year limited warranty (vs the Panasonic which I think is a 90 day).

 

We don't even get Passport on the M8 in the US!

 

John

 

That's what I thought --- thanks for the confirmation.

 

Back to the original question though. Just because it's a limited warrantly (not passport) doesn't necessarily mean that service in the UK would be a problem. There certainly isn't anything in the packaging of the digital compacts that seems unique for the US market. They give you manuals in four languages (four separate manuals in the box), warranty cards in multiple languages, etc. I would think/hope that as long as you kept the proof-of-purchase, and the purchase were from an authorized Leica dealer, that you could obtain service in your country of residence.

 

Peter: You may want to consider giving Milton Keynes a call (or email) and get an answer straight from the horse's mouth. Here's a link to their contact info:

Leica Camera AG - Contact

 

 

Jeff.

[jdlaing]

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My Digilux 3 has a Passport Warranty in the US and overseas. The first six months of which is unconditional repair or replacement no questions asked even if you "drop" it.

Not having it on the M8 would bum me out.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Interestingly, I was not aware of the warranty on the M8. Last week I got a nice letter from Leica (probably NJ) that my passport warranty was in effect. This is for a camera purchased on 12/13/06.

[andamanaffair]

Many thanks to all who have replied to my query regarding USA warranties. It would appear that my doubts may have had some foundation. However, my inclination is to agree with 'miami91' and assume that Leica would honour the warranty in the UK provided the proof of purchase was produced. I will adopt Jeff's suggestion that I contact Leica and will post any response in this forum if I think it may be of interest.

 

Incidentally, I may have my own 'passport issue' with which to deal. Upon receiving my D3, I was urged to complete the necessary registration papers with which to apply for the passport. I did so, the day after the camera arrived. In a quiet moment, when not gleefully playing with my new acquisition, I re-read the 'bumf' and discovered that the passport did not appear to extend to the D series cameras. I quote from the retained part of the passport application form:-

 

"The Leica Passport scheme applies to Leica M and R cameras, Leica M and R lenses, all Leica Ultravid binoculars and full size Leica Trinovid binoculars purchased new in the UK, on the condition that they were imported by Leica Camera Limited, the official UK and Ireland distributor and member of the Leica Camera Group, Germany."

 

It could be that the form is out of date, the D3 being a relatively new addition to the SLR range. I shall await the outcome with interest.

[john_nyc]

Interestingly, I was not aware of the warranty on the M8. Last week I got a nice letter from Leica (probably NJ) that my passport warranty was in effect. This is for a camera purchased on 12/13/06.

 

Bill,

 

What did the warranty card that came with the camera say? Mine definitely said 2 year limited (purchased early April '07).

 

John