What does "demo" mean for warranty, IR filters, Capture One?

[johnalex141r]

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So, I purchased an M8 from a New York store, that has, from searches here, been classed as "reputable", and advertises on this site. The M8 was described as "Demo in mint condition complete with all factory accessories 1 Year Warranty"

 

It came with the little plastic over the LCD display; orange "remove me" sticker on the body cap; what appears to be all bits and pieces and papers. The UID of the last click I made was 840 - if that is hex, then just over 2,000 clicks.

 

I was surprised to find out that:

1) The Capture One serial number is already used by someone else;

2) The on-line "get your IR filters" says that it is already registered.

 

So, what does "all factory accessories" mean to you, and, what is important for the warranty; the little blue card (filled in by me earlier this week) or the on-line "IR Filter" registration?

 

Did someone just take the serial numbers for their own use?

 

The Capture One people say "tough - your problem"; I asked Leica, but we are stuck on a telephone tag/email loop. I have not (yet) contaced the seller; I just want to know if maybe what I think of as "all factory accessories" is what others think.

 

Thanks;

 

JohnS - Ottawa Canada.

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[george +]

Sorry to read about your troubles John. But you have to face it, a demo is a demo.

 

You should know that we do have reputable and easy to reach Leica dealers in Canada. I am very happy with mine in Toronto.

[johnalex141r]

Hi George; Thanks for the reply.

 

Sorry to read about your troubles John. But you have to face it, a demo is a demo.

 

Fair enough; I guess that to me the "factory accessories" statement was misleading. Still less expensive purchasing the filters than purchasing a brand new M8.

 

I'm still worried about what "warranty" means. Hopefully, I'll never have to find out.

 

You should know that we do have reputable and easy to reach Leica dealers in Canada. I am very happy with mine in Toronto.

 

Actually, until very recently, we seemed not to have one here in Ottawa. We now have a brand new branch of a Toronto store, that (from what I found googling this week) is a leica dealer. Nothing in the store, though. (I went in) I'm off on vacation this weekend; thus the "rush" purchase; authorized by the better half.

 

From the little I've used this camera, it's fantastic. (with only 1 lens, too!)

 

JohnS up in Ottawa, Canada.

[Shootist]

Clearly the camera you bought was NOT a Demo. As a Demo would mean just that, IE it was on a self and used by people entering the store or loaned/rented out to someone looking to test the M8.

What it looks like you got was a RETURNED unit that someone loaded and use the serial # of C1 and used the camera serial # to register the camera and get the free filters before they returned it.

This makes the camera USED, NOT a DEMO.

I would also check on the warranty as it might be a IN-STORE 1 year warranty and NOT a Leica certified 1 year Demo warranty (two totally different things).

 

In any event I would return the camera and get a FULL refund.

 

And then BUY A NEW M8.

[Guest tummydoc]

The fact the C1-LE licence has been activated and the free filter offer registered would suggest that the camera had been sold to an individual, thus does not fit my definition of "demo", however that's for you to hash out with Leica and/or the dealer. An official Leica Code-U should have come with a blue Leica-USA 1-year factory warranty card and a clean copy of C1-LE, however would not entitle the buyer to the 2 free filters. Therefore one must add the cost of 2 Leica IR filters (in addition to potential repair costs in the second year of ownership) to the price when comparing to the cost of a new one, whereupon the phrase "penny-wise and pound-foolish" ought come immediately to mind

[johnalex141r]

Thanks for all the replies;

 

Clearly the camera you bought was NOT a Demo. As a Demo would mean just that, IE it was on a self and used by people entering the store or loaned/rented out to someone looking to test the M8.

What it looks like you got was a RETURNED unit...

 

In any event I would return the camera and get a FULL refund.

 

And then BUY A NEW M8.

 

I think I will a) continue to try to get an answer from Leica as to the status of the warranty; and talk to the owner of this "brick and mortar" official Leica dealer, and find out what his story is.

 

You know; anyone can walk into a store, handle an M8, get the serial number of the camera, and register it with Leica. I did get the "blue" waranty info card, and have filled it out and have sent it in. Unfortunately, I'm off on vacation; although I may have a chance to call early next week.

 

There may be a simple resolution for all of this. Check back later.

 

Thanks for the replies;

 

JohnS.

[citrus]

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Keep us posted - my understanding is that Leica does not allow warranty to transfer - if a previous owner has registered the camera on the website to receive the IR filters only this person is eligable for warranty. Leica may be able to tell you to which name the camera is registered - so if you have an issue you may check with that person and ask him to help you claim the warranty.

 

I dont want to ruffle your feathers, but this has been discussed previoulsy in this forum.

 

If Leica has changed this policy recently, pls let us know.

 

Hope you got a big discount as 2 IR filters and lost warranty would mean at least 1000 USD to my thinking. IF I add 2000 shots used to it I would deduct at least another 500 USD - just my 0.02 cents.

 

Anyway if the camera is ok and there is no issues today the chance that there is a default in the next 3 years is low. Hope it is though not an early serial numbr return camera - which serial number does it carry?

 

If too low better ask for a refund and return the camera.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Sounds like you got a return and not a demo.

[Shootist]

Thanks for all the replies;

 

 

 

I I did get the "blue" waranty info card, and have filled it out and have sent it in.

JohnS.

 

So you did get a REAL Leica Demo Warranty card with the camera and you sent that in to Leica NJ USA?

 

If so then it was a real demo unit. Not sure what the status of the filter are for Demo's. More then likely it is not offered for Demo's. So Leica turns that serial # out.

If I remember correctly the free filter are only offered to buyers of NEW M8's.

 

As someone else posted, penny wise pound foolish.

Good luck with the camera.

[Dr.Kildare]

As someone else posted, penny wise pound foolish.

Good luck with the camera.

 

Hey - let's rub it in for the poor guy.

 

John,

 

I also purchased a a 'demo' M8. It came from Popflash at a considerable discount and had the official Leica 1 year warranty card for 'used' equipment. Popflash advertised that the filters were available on this camera but when I came to register for the filters, my camera had previously been registered.

 

Tony Rose got on the blower to Leica and my free filters arrived on the doorstep in about 7 days (from NY to Sydney Australia via UPS express).

 

Overall Popflash and Leica performed very professionally in sorting out my small problems and I am a happy M8 owner with a great camera.

 

I would ask your dealer to speak to Leica and see if the filters are available to you.

[johnalex141r]

Ok - I'm back from holidays; things are figured out.

 

It did indeed come with a "Leica Used Warranty" card which was sent in. This morning I was able to order the Leica IR filters from their web site.

 

As to the "penny wise and pound foolish" comments - the jury is still out. I guess that I got a camera, refurbished by Leica, with new battery, etc, for about 80% of the cost of a new one. The 2,000 shutter clicks that came with it have had about 1,000 more added on to it by me over the last couple of weeks.

 

So, if I discount the "pain" from having the hassles mentioned at the beginning of this thread, I have a camera that has passed its infant mortality period, vetted by Leica, and money left over for two Voigtlander lenses. Would I order a store-demo again? I don't know, but, probably would.

 

Now to figure how to clean that dust spec that I put on the sensor somewhere on the open seas of the Pacific...

 

Thanks for all the comments; *all* are appreciated.

 

JohnS.

[earleygallery]

You're not a 'real' M8er unless you've bought new and had to send it back to Solms for various repairs/upgrades. The pain is a badge of honour.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

James we like to call them honour scars. I have two of them aren't i lucky. LOL

[garygsandhu]

I bought a demo model from Popflash photo with 1 year warranty. I registered it, got my 2 free IR filters, and is now getting serviced at New Jersey under warranty (it was an older, non up-dated M8 that got sold to me in June).