Buy online or in store?

[Derbyshire Man]

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EU purchase of m11.

 

In view of problems with M11's from time to time the question is buy online (from the same shop) to get additional distance selling protection or just buy face to face in the shop? Does it make any difference or just return and claim refund/exchange if it's a Friday afternoon camera? Any experiences one way or the other?

[RobW0]

I don’t have a store near me that I can buy Leica camera equipment. Most of my new Leica equipment has been purchase from the Leica USA online store.

[jdlaing]

Face to face is best to build a relationship.

[Jewl]

vor 11 Stunden schrieb Al Brown:

Online purchase in EU gives 14 day return by law no questions asked.
Store purchase in EU is entirely at discretion of the seller who is under NO obligation except to fix your camera in 45 days if something is wrong.

I agree. I purchased in store and then my Camera needed to be sent in as it had a focus issue. No refund even though it was less than 14days old. Therefore deffo buy online. The relationship is nothing vs the hassle caused. You can buy a strap or so in the store then if the camera works 😉 

[Derbyshire Man]

Thanks guys.

[Stef63]

14 hours ago, Al Brown said:

... except to fix your camera in 45 days if something is wrong.

Oh and who is going to fix the camera in less than 45 days?  Surely not Leica these days.  🤔

[maxpower]

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3 hours ago, Jewl said:

I agree. I purchased in store and then my Camera needed to be sent in as it had a focus issue. No refund even though it was less than 14days old. Therefore deffo buy online. The relationship is nothing vs the hassle caused. You can buy a strap or so in the store then if the camera works 😉 

This too will depend on the store and if you have a relationship or not I think, I bought new in store and discovered a small cosmetic defect a few days later and it was exchanged for a new one without question. But I do agree that when buying new in general buying online gives you more consumer rights - of course depending on the online store, you might still have stubborn store owners or customer support, or claim you caused the defect and not give you back a 100% refund (I have not experienced this with Leica specifically but with other shops and products)

Edited December 9, 2023 by maxpower

[maxpower]

(ignore/delete wanted edit not quote, always press the wrong button)

Edited December 9, 2023 by maxpower

[Derbyshire Man]

1 hour ago, maxpower said:

This too will depend on the store and if you have a relationship or not I think, I bought new in store and discovered a small cosmetic defect a few days later and it was exchanged for a new one without question. But I do agree that when buying new in general buying online gives you more consumer rights - of course depending on the online store, you might still have stubborn store owners or customer support, or claim you caused the defect and not give you back a 100% refund (I have not experienced this with Leica specifically but with other shops and products)

The place in question has a very clear no returns if bought in store policy. I can understand the nightmare. It's not like it's a shirt at £50. I have no intention of sending the thing back unless there's an issue.

[muskyvibes]

I’ve never purchased any photographic equipment online. Always in person at the store. 

i’m surprised people here bought in person and discovered issues a few days later. The whole point is to test it and check if thoroughly before you leave. Which is why they are reluctant to believe you if you return a couple of days later complaining there’s an issue when you were just there and took it without complaints. Meaning the camera was 100% when you left the store (at least it is assumed so).

I take my time with cameras and lenses at the store before I take it home. I inspect every single thing. Same with laptops or phones or tablets. You have to go through a checklist of things to make sure the item is right. 

if you’re not going to do that then you might as well order it online. I would rather find something wrong at the store than at home. 

Edited December 13, 2023 by muskyvibes

[Jeff S]

I buy from reputable stores that have a return policy. No need to inspect thoroughly in store, which would be impossible for me to do properly. 
 

Jeff