Leica Now Offers Express Service

[elansprint72]

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Are we not all missing the point here- why should there be so many instances of breakdown and faulty workmanship on such expensive goods? I can't believe that there has not been a much more vocal reaction from disgruntled customers.

 

You buy a Bentley, a Lear Jet, a Rolex etc. it is expected to work straight out of the box; time was when Leica could bee seen in the same quality group, not now. It is a bloody good thing that Leica do not make aircraft.

[robert_parker]

It is a bloody good thing that Leica do not make aircraft.

 

Not the least because landing a great big rectangular aircraft with one big window and two smaller ones in the corner would be tricky in the current inclement weather..

[robert_parker]

Look on the bright side though - there won't be any problem with the infra red night vision detectors...

[Philippe D.]

This "service" is available for Germany only. I'm curious what the fees will be for other countries.

 

It's a bit like the Post Office politic was:

- Let customers wait for a loooong time, till they get angry about the endless delay.

- Then offer them generously a quick service, but let them pay a lot of cash for.

 

That's the new Leica dudes!

[hankg]

I can understand that, but I can think of a variety of situations in which long repair turnaround can do significant "damage" to an amateur as well. Since pros get to amortize the cost of their gear as well as absorb repair costs via their business, it would seem that paying a modest "express fee," the same as required from us mere mortals, would not be an inappropriate burden.

 

Maybe I'm missing something, but it does make me a bit uncomfortable. Of course it wouldn't bother me nearly as much if the average turnaround times were measured in days rather than weeks or months.

 

All you say may be true but it really has nothing to do with any of that or with being nice to pro's because they make a living with their cameras. It has to do with what the competition is doing. Why do Canon and Nikon have pro programs when most of their income comes from amateurs? Why not give well heeled amateurs preferential treatment as they spend more and make less demands then pros so are more profitable for camera manufacturers?

 

Simple -what do detractors say when they want to deride Leica? "It's a hobbyists camera" -it's "not a pro camera". Top of the line camera manufacturers want to be perceived as making "pro" tools and so they want pro's using their products even if they are a bunch of penny pinching, demanding, pain in the asses trying to scratch out a living in an industry that gets more difficult with each passing year. Unfortunately the M8 can't be a "pro" camera if no pro's use it and pro's can't pay the rent if their gear is in service (actually most of them can't pay the rent when their gear is working).

 

So a pro service program is a step in the right direction. Soon you will be able to the point to the work of some hot shot big name pro and say to your Canon buddies "He uses an M8!"

[Lucklik]

I just send my M7 a la carte with ISO problem. I was told it would take 9 weeks. (in waranty)

I also had a problem with the light meter of my Pentax K10, I went to the shop, they phoned the distributor and I could go with the camera to the distributor and explain the problem. The next day I got a phone call, the camera was ready.

They replaced the light meter cel and adjusted the viewfinder. (in warranty)

 

I can understand Leica to have an express service, but the normal turn around shouldn't take 9 weeks.

The service of the Pentax is more professional compared to the service of Leica.