Purchasing new Leica cameras from the UK

[plaidshirts]

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On 9/30/2022 at 9:29 PM, rtai said:

Will Red Dot let you pay in full instead of a deposit?

Just got word back you CAN pay in full and wait for delivery. The downside being your guess is as good as theirs as to when that would be.

I wound up finding one locally, less than a year old for about the same price.

[T25UFO]

Sometimes purchasing from the UK can be more expensive . . . . 

https://www.leicastoremanchester.com/ma-titan-set.html?utm_source=campaign&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=October%3A+Pre-Owned

 

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Huss]

9 hours ago, T25UFO said:

Sometimes purchasing from the UK can be more expensive . . . . 

https://www.leicastoremanchester.com/ma-titan-set.html?utm_source=campaign&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=October%3A+Pre-Owned

 

Still cheaper than the US!

 

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1770638/0?keyword=Leica#16023972

[rtai]

Three weeks ago I bought a used 28mm Summaron with finder and hood (the classic LTM version) for the equivalent of $2600 from Leica Store Manchester shipped to the US via DHL and didn’t get hit with US Customs duty. Last week also from Manchester I bought a used silver chrome Leicavit for $1110 and DHL just sent me a bill for $126. I suppose US Customs doesn’t inspect every package. 

[armadsen]

If I recall correctly, the US customs duty rate for photographic lenses is 2.3%, while for cameras it's 0. I had to pay ~$50 on the Summicron I ordered last week. But it should be that if you order a camera you wouldn't pay anything. 

[rtai]

1 hour ago, armadsen said:

If I recall correctly, the US customs duty rate for photographic lenses is 2.3%, while for cameras it's 0. I had to pay ~$50 on the Summicron I ordered last week. But it should be that if you order a camera you wouldn't pay anything. 

I don’t know if accessories are in a special category or DHL had decided to jack me. Either I pay it or the package was going back to the UK and probably I would be liable for the return shipping.

[Huss]

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3 hours ago, rtai said:

I don’t know if accessories are in a special category or DHL had decided to jack me. Either I pay it or the package was going back to the UK and probably I would be liable for the return shipping.

That’s DHL ripping you off, pretending it is a legit charge.  They tried the same thing with me when I sent a Nikon F2 for service to Sover Wong in the UK.  Coming back, DHL tried to hit me with that charge, I refused it and demanded a sensical explanation as to what that charge was for.  They relented.

[rtai]

16 hours ago, Huss said:

That’s DHL ripping you off, pretending it is a legit charge.  They tried the same thing with me when I sent a Nikon F2 for service to Sover Wong in the UK.  Coming back, DHL tried to hit me with that charge, I refused it and demanded a sensical explanation as to what that charge was for.  They relented.

When I got the payment demand the package was already on the way for delivery according to tracking. I should have waited a day if I had known. Oh well.

[Huss]

2 hours ago, rtai said:

When I got the payment demand the package was already on the way for delivery according to tracking. I should have waited a day if I had known. Oh well.

It wasn’t exactly easy for me.  When I first disputed the charge they flat out refused to discuss it.  I then escalated it saying I refused to accept their arbitrary statement and mentioned that none of the other shipping services levied such a charge.

[twogun]

On 10/3/2022 at 7:50 AM, colonel said:

Reddotcamera's grading system is more conservative then other dealers. Most of the Excellent++ products from then I have bought have been like new, unless you use a microscope 

I agree! My black paint MP came in spotless without brassing. it was listed as used. Just missing the original box but thats ok 

[Ediz7531]

I bought a new M-A from Red Dot Cameras a few months ago, and couldn’t be happier with the transaction. Arrived in California 2 business days later.

One thing that I’m curious about is that this time customs didn’t hold it hostage until I gave them some information like they did last year in October when I bought a Rolleiflex from Magicflex (from Germany). In that instance, next thing I knew come tax season this year the California tax agency sent me a letter saying I owed Use Tax for it, which is equivalent to sales tax.

Edited October 10, 2022 by Ediz7531

[Giguchan]

On 9/26/2022 at 9:23 PM, johnwolf said:

I'm close to Tamarkin. But I checked Red Dot's return policy and they pay return shipping on defective items. So I'd have no problem doing this.

Tamarkin has a pretty good reputation.

They actually call  when they say so.

Lots of shops around  some are Corporate  some aren't..  Normally it's personal choice.

[Huss]

I ordered the M6 from leicamanchester. $1400 cheaper than buying in the US.  I’ll let this thread know how it goes.

[TheEyesHaveIt]

While the pound has recovered a bit from the historic lows, it still seems that Leica gear is significantly cheaper to buy in Europe and have it shipped to the US. The M11 is nearly $2k cheaper for example.

[Huss]

There is no duty on interchangeable lens cameras imported from a country that is under the NTR classification.
  You can see this here:

https://dataweb.usitc.gov/tariff/database/details/90065991

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[musers]

Bought an M-A from Leica Manchester. Saved a ton of money as compared to buying in USA. Should arrive Monday, shipped via DHL. 

[logan2z]

2 hours ago, musers said:

Bought an M-A from Leica Manchester. Saved a ton of money as compared to buying in USA. Should arrive Monday, shipped via DHL. 

Please stop, you two.  I'm getting an itchy credit card finger.

[ejg1890]

Appears Leica jumped on to the overseas purchase here in the US during October. Leica mentioned 4 camera stores, Red Dot, others in Vienna, Berlin and Lisse, but there are others as well. Leica advertised could save $1,000+ and no tax purchasing from Europe and UK.  The British pound has rebounded more than the Euro so the EU may now be cheaper than the UK.  

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