earlyadopter Posted August 30, 2007 Share #1 Posted August 30, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm almost ready to finally buy M8, and thinking about where to actually do it. I already understood I shouldn't consider ebay and used cameras. I'm in San Francisco Bay Area, and options I have in mind are: online at bhphoto.com, or Camera West in Monterey (kind of local, but not so local for me in reality -- at least hour-and-a-half drive), and local Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto (which I don't like for their staff attitude and ridiculous working hours). Pros of local stores are understandable. Cons are 8% California tax, which on top of M8 price is like basically another Voigtlander lens. Anyone had experience with B&H when something unusual happened to the camera? I bought from them a lot of times and was really satisfied with quick delivery and good packaging but never tried to have anything replaced or returned. How much and in what case will I regret saving 3...4 hundred dollars of sale tax if I'll do it online? Or may be there are other options I should consider? Thanks, Yuri Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 30, 2007 Posted August 30, 2007 Hi earlyadopter, Take a look here thoughts on where buy M8 in California wanted. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
fursan Posted August 30, 2007 Share #2 Posted August 30, 2007 Go to Tony or Alex at PopFlash.com. Excellent people to do business with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_wilkins Posted August 30, 2007 Share #3 Posted August 30, 2007 and local Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto (which I don't like for their staff attitude and ridiculous working hours). I think that you'll get excellent service at Keeble once they understand you're serious about buying Leica equipment. Seriously, though, I'd probably walk into the pro store across the street and ask a salesperson there to help you, play ignorant like you don't know you're in the wrong store. The people there are friendly and knowledgeable and might be willing to help you themselves to get a commission. Anyone had experience with B&H when something unusual happened to the camera? I bought from them a lot of times and was really satisfied with quick delivery and good packaging but never tried to have anything replaced or returned. I bought my M8 from B&H. My experience with them is that they're very helpful in case of returns as long as you stick to their return policy. -- Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGeoJO Posted August 30, 2007 Share #4 Posted August 30, 2007 I am pleased with the service that Tony/Alex from Popflash provides but you are in Northern California. They will have to charge sales tax and they have to ship it to you . Uncle Arnold's portion is sizable considering the amount. and since it is not convenient for you to pick it up, there goes the "instant gratification" value down the drain. I bought my M8 from B&H before I knew Tony but I have bought two lenses, filters, accesories and a Leica P&S from him afterwards. Nothing wrong with B&H but less personal, than let's say Tony.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted August 30, 2007 Share #5 Posted August 30, 2007 I like Sammy's Camera in L.A. I've bought my first Canon 1Ds there in 2003. Since then I've bought some other products there and they were always very helpful. Well, I don't live in L.A. and people from there maybe have another opinion but I like this place. Los Angeles 431 S. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: 323-938-2420 Fax: 323-937-2919 E-Mail:: lacamera@samys.com Digital and Film Photography and Consumer Electronics | samys.com They have M8 in stock (black and chrome) Hope that helps. Cheers . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdrmd Posted August 30, 2007 Share #6 Posted August 30, 2007 PopFlash is first rate. SR Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbaron Posted August 30, 2007 Share #7 Posted August 30, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I hear nothing but good things about Popflash but, after all, if the intent is to avoid California sales tax, I don't understand why it is repeatedly suggested. If you want to combine a small shop with personalized service and no sales tax you should try someone like Photo Village, a forum advertiser I believe. Overnight express services make distance almost meaningless so long as you are buying from someone who will give you service and help after the sale. Hope This Helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajz Posted August 30, 2007 Share #8 Posted August 30, 2007 You could spend some of the Calif tax money and come to Portland, OR and go to Pro Photo. They are a terrific professional shop and have treated me with courtesy. I had to exchange two defective M8s and there was no hassle what so ever. Very Professional...we have no tax in Oregon! Z Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasrancher Posted August 31, 2007 Share #9 Posted August 31, 2007 I'm sitting here in Texas with just about the same consequences of local taxation as you face, and have bought numerous pieces from B&H over the years - always good prices and straightforward folks to deal with. However, I have never experienced such extraordinarily exemplary fine personal service, attention to detail, and pratical advice from any photographic supplier as has been tendered to me by Sean Cranor of Camera West, nearly next door to you (by our open spaces standards, anyway) in Monterey. Tough call, but you have identified two of the premier Leica dealers in the U.S. Good luck! The M8camera is quirky, but exciting to use and the lenses are nothing short of incredible. I have shot a Canon 1Ds II since its introduction 3+ years ago, but it rarely sees the light of day anymore. Besides the portability of the M8 & its compact lenses, the fact that the wide angles are manually focused with a rangefinder independent of an autofocus sensor that believes 8 ft and 80 ft are the same thing is reason enough to take the plunge. Hang around this forum to glean some valuable knowledge - I know that I have taken many months off the learning curve by monitoring the various senior members' comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted August 31, 2007 Share #10 Posted August 31, 2007 Yes Sean at camerawest is top rate and has a LOT of my money as well as Tony at Popflash. Also Dale labs in Florida i am sure i put someone into college. Three of my favorite places and also three places to avoid like the plague. LOL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mz976us Posted August 31, 2007 Share #11 Posted August 31, 2007 In Keeble and Shuchat, Jeff Wilford is the Leica guy to see. He is very knowledgeable, friendly and you can pick his brain on things. Only a few sales in digital area in KS are not as helpful. I am totally avoiding those few. One thing about KS is that sometimes you may not find the part you need for Leica (Ex: different sizes of IR-Cut filters). Oh Fred in KS has sent in a second hand black M8 for recalibration. It should be back in KS a week or so. I think it is marked at $4100. I prefer CameraWest. They always have the Leica parts I need. In fact they even have a Black second hand Leica M8 for sale (make sure there is not back focus issue though, or you can have them send it in for recalibration). It is marked at $3999. They are trying to open their third store in Walnut Creek currently. I have bought Leica parts from Sean and Michael from the Monterey shop. In fact, I have just picked up several 46mm IR-Cut filter from them last weekend. I would recommand both stores. Well, maybe I will rate CameraWest 9.5 and KS 8.5 out of 10 in terms of inventory availability and customer service. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcollum Posted August 31, 2007 Share #12 Posted August 31, 2007 I've had excellent service from Camera West (I've dealt mostly with Michael there). I've pretty much bought everything from them, and any time i've had a problem, they've been right on top of it. jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 31, 2007 Share #13 Posted August 31, 2007 Why is it that B&H don't accept orders from Friday evening to Saturday evening? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted August 31, 2007 Share #14 Posted August 31, 2007 Because of the jewish faith, i believe it is the sabbath . I'm not jewish so could be wrong on the name. They follow every jewish holiday to the letter always have and always will. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 31, 2007 Share #15 Posted August 31, 2007 I see, they obviously take it very seriously, adjusting their hours to match sunset and sunrise as the weeks progress. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastdap@mac.com Posted August 31, 2007 Share #16 Posted August 31, 2007 sean at camerawest is great! i buy everything from them. perhaps the best store in the country. mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjohn Posted August 31, 2007 Share #17 Posted August 31, 2007 While Sammy's in LA is ok (I have purchased several items and a couple of the Leica P&S there, they don't accept ANY returns only for credit so should you be dissatisfied you are stuck. Not true with most other dealers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted August 31, 2007 Share #18 Posted August 31, 2007 While Sammy's in LA is ok (I have purchased several items and a couple of the Leica P&S there, they don't accept ANY returns only for credit so should you be dissatisfied you are stuck. Not true with most other dealers. In February 2005 I bought at Samy's a Canon EF 16-35/ 2.8 L. After two days using it, I had the impression the lens was vigneting. I went back to Samy's, they tested the lens (comparing it with another lens) and agreed it was a problem. They asked me if I want a refound or to change the lens. I choosed to change the lens. They offered me a a Lowerpro lens case for the inconvenience. But as I said, I don't live in L.A but Paris (France) and other people may have another experiences. I'm jus a happy customer. Cheers . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smsmd Posted August 31, 2007 Share #19 Posted August 31, 2007 Hi, I'll also place a vote for CameraWest in Monterey. Sean has been outstanding in all respects. I just opened my wallet there again this am... Thanks, steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted August 31, 2007 Share #20 Posted August 31, 2007 I see, they obviously take it very seriously, adjusting their hours to match sunset and sunrise as the weeks progress. B&H is owned and run by orthodox jews, I believe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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