Disappointment of Buying my first M11 for Father’s Day

[crons]

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23 hours ago, Eyefixit said:

Dear Leica Team,

I am writing to express my profound disappointment after purchasing a brand new Leica M11P from an authorized dealer for Father’s Day. As a long-time admirer of your brand, I was thrilled to acquire this ultra-luxury camera, which I had anticipated using to capture high-quality images. However, upon bringing this luxury camera home, I discovered to my dismay that it was defective and would not turn on.

This experience was both frustrating and disheartening, especially considering Leica's renowned reputation for excellence and precision. The expectation when investing in such a high-end product is that it will function flawlessly right out of the box. Unfortunately, this was not the case for me. To add to my frustration, my entire Saturday was wasted dealing with this transaction, including traveling back and forth to the dealer and troubleshooting the issue.

Despite this setback, I must commend the dealer for their excellent service. They were understanding and efficient, and they have assured me that a replacement will be provided by Monday. Their prompt and professional response has somewhat mitigated the disappointment of receiving a defective product.

I hope that Leica will take measures to ensure such issues are rare, as they tarnish the otherwise stellar reputation of your products. I look forward to receiving my replacement camera and hope it will meet the high standards Leica is known for. As proof of this transaction, I am including the receipt, which includes the camera information. I trust this camera will find its way to Germany for repair and analysis. I will be interested in finding out what was wrong. It wasn't a battery issue, as the dealer swapped in a working battery and the camera still did not turn on.

Sincerely,

Rafi Israel, MD

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Out of all this I just can't believe any camera dealer sells a camera without taking it out of the box and testing it before the customer pays for it. I've bought charging cables for my phone and the stores take them out and test them. 

Every time I buy anything at my store they let me take it out and test before I pay. Here's us testing the 35 cron before I paid. (My mistake was not checking the auto detection but I decided it wasn't any big deal). Otherwise it is perfect. Same thing with the M10R. He cuts the seals and lets me deal with it. 

Edited June 17, 2024 by crons

[crons]

6 hours ago, SrMi said:

I “collect” Leica cameras, but I throw the boxes away and use the cameras. However, I do not see anything strange in collecting anything (pens, cameras, etc) and never using it.

So you're the guy selling lenses "no box"  I always wonder what the hell people do with the boxes and papers and receipts. How do I know it's not stolen? 

[SrMi]

59 minutes ago, crons said:

So you're the guy selling lenses "no box"  I always wonder what the hell people do with the boxes and papers and receipts. How do I know it's not stolen? 

I do not sell my Leica lenses :), but I did sell non-Leica lenses, no boxes, receipts, or certificates. Some buyers of used lenses prefer boxes (better resale value) but nobody cared about receipts or certificates.

No lens that I bought used from Camera West or EBay came with receipts. The best guarantee is to buy from reputable sellers.

 

[crons]

10 minutes ago, SrMi said:

I do not sell my Leica lenses :), but I did sell non-Leica lenses, no boxes, receipts, or certificates. Some buyers of used lenses prefer boxes (better resale value) but nobody cared about receipts or certificates.

No lens that I bought used from Camera West or EBay came with receipts. The best guarantee is to buy from reputable sellers.

 

I just wonder. When I buy stuff I put everything in the box and put the box in a closet. Why throw it away. When I used to do tech support same thing with people who bought computers. They would call with a problem and when you asked them to pull out their CDs they threw them all away. Windows CD and everything else that came with it. 

[lct]

Haha who said Leica users are all the same? I wouldn't buy a peanut without a bill 😁

[Indeepthought]

27 minutes ago, crons said:

I just wonder. When I buy stuff I put everything in the box and put the box in a closet. Why throw it away. When I used to do tech support same thing with people who bought computers. They would call with a problem and when you asked them to pull out their CDs they threw them all away. Windows CD and everything else that came with it. 

‘The Public’ for the most part are notably ignorant when unpacking and retaining Important info of any kind…

I myself keep boxes including packing on any item for 3months. After that only receipts, instructions and cables are kept… I would need a warehouse for all the boxes/packing relating to my purchases in my 82 years… 😁

Edited June 17, 2024 by Indeepthought

[SrMi]

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1 hour ago, crons said:

I just wonder. When I buy stuff I put everything in the box and put the box in a closet. Why throw it away. When I used to do tech support same thing with people who bought computers. They would call with a problem and when you asked them to pull out their CDs they threw them all away. Windows CD and everything else that came with it. 

What is a CD 🤣? I did keep CDs of Mac and PCs that came with the computer, but, thankfully, those times are long gone! I never kept the box, never needed it.

I barely have room for lenses and cameras (because of the number of lenses and cameras, not because of the size of my home), that keeping the box more than 6 months after the purchase seems wasteful. Neither the camera nor the lens will work better if I keep the box. I have the instructions and sometimes the receipts in digital form.

Nonetheless, I understand when someone keeps the box.

Interestingly, if I buy an older, out-of-production lens that comes with its original box and papers, I often keep it 😁.

[Indeepthought]

7 minutes ago, SrMi said:

What is a CD 🤣? I did keep CDs of Mac and PCs that came with the computer, but, thankfully, those times are long gone! I never kept the box, never needed it.

I barely have room for lenses and cameras (because of the number of lenses and cameras, not because of the size of my home), that keeping the box more than 6 months after the purchase seems wasteful. Neither the camera nor the lens will work better if I keep the box. I have the instructions and sometimes the receipts in digital form.

Nonetheless, I understand when someone keeps the box.

Interestingly, if I buy an older, out-of-production lens that comes with its original box and papers, I often keep it 😁.

I Do’ I Don’t’ I Will’ I Won’t’..  😉

[crons]

10 minutes ago, SrMi said:

I barely have room for lenses and cameras (because of the number of lenses and cameras

A gear collector. Expensive hobby. 

[Anbaric]

4 hours ago, earleygallery said:

I guess there was nothing to stop the OP opening the box and checking the camera in the store either.

As said Leica customers can be very particular about wanting to be the first person to open the box, or not open it ever! If a dealer opens it first they probably have to sell it at a discount!

Real Leica collectors just get the package X-rayed.

https://petapixel.com/2016/06/08/rare-unopened-military-leica-ebay-45000-x-ray-proof/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNUtreybeVE

Edited June 17, 2024 by Anbaric

[soccerrick10]

People - we’ve gotten off track of the original poster.  We have all experienced the initial joy after agonizing over a major purchase decision such as a Leica camera.  I imagine he’s frustrated and beginning to question his decision.  He really was just venting.

Although disappointing, let’s give him a break.  Some suggestions would be to check the new one BEFORE leaving the store.  Make the dealer put his battery in it if the one with the camera is not charged.  Also, put a lens on it and make sure it’s working properly.  

Generally speaking, the sting from this experience with go away with time.  We want, no, we need to have satisfied members and a growing community supporting each other.

[Indeepthought]

16 minutes ago, soccerrick10 said:

People - we’ve gotten off track of the original poster.  We have all experienced the initial joy after agonizing over a major purchase decision such as a Leica camera.  I imagine he’s frustrated and beginning to question his decision.  He really was just venting.

Although disappointing, let’s give him a break.  Some suggestions would be to check the new one BEFORE leaving the store.  Make the dealer put his battery in it if the one with the camera is not charged.  Also, put a lens on it and make sure it’s working properly.  

Generally speaking, the sting from this experience with go away with time.  We want, no, we need to have satisfied members and a growing community supporting each other.

Not sure I understand your Post!  I doubt the ‘sting’ of a non working brand new $11k+ Leica will go away.. I still remember buying my M6 from a camera store in Twickenham, London (circa 1980)… we all feel the pain/anguish/disappointment of the OP… fingers crossed by now he has a new M11 and it’s working perfectly…🍻

Edited June 17, 2024 by Indeepthought

[lct]

1 hour ago, Indeepthought said:

[...] we all feel the pain/anguish/disappointment of the OP [...]

Reminds me of my new M4-2 when its shutter broke in the eighties. I've recovered in 40 years, so fortunately all hope is not lost 😇

[Indeepthought]

2 minutes ago, lct said:

Reminds me of my new M4-2 when its shutter broke in the eighties. I've recovered in 40 years, so fortunately all hope is not lost 😇

Here’s to short memories of Leicas less than sterling QC.

🍻

[lct]

3 minutes ago, Indeepthought said:

Here’s to short memories of Leicas less than sterling QC.

🍻

And yet, despite our poignant lamentations, we never tire of it 😢

[crons]

2 hours ago, soccerrick10 said:

People - we’ve gotten off track of the original poster.  We have all experienced the initial joy after agonizing over a major purchase decision such as a Leica camera.  I imagine he’s frustrated and beginning to question his decision.  He really was just venting.

Although disappointing, let’s give him a break.  Some suggestions would be to check the new one BEFORE leaving the store.  Make the dealer put his battery in it if the one with the camera is not charged.  Also, put a lens on it and make sure it’s working properly.  

Generally speaking, the sting from this experience with go away with time.  We want, no, we need to have satisfied members and a growing community supporting each other.

The point in my post is the store themselves open the box and expect the customer to check the items. They stand there and wait for you to open every box. When I go buy a TV. They bring the box. They take it out. The connect it. They check it. They put it back. I take it home. I've never heard of such a thing where you go to a camera store and they put the box sealed in a bag and you pay and that's it. Checking it is the whole thing. 

[soccerrick10]

1 hour ago, crons said:

The point in my post is the store themselves open the box and expect the customer to check the items. They stand there and wait for you to open every box. When I go buy a TV. They bring the box. They take it out. The connect it. They check it. They put it back. I take it home. I've never heard of such a thing where you go to a camera store and they put the box sealed in a bag and you pay and that's it. Checking it is the whole thing. 

I wasn’t really referring to your post(s).  I agree with your approach.  

[bcaslis]

On 6/17/2024 at 7:09 PM, crons said:

The point in my post is the store themselves open the box and expect the customer to check the items. They stand there and wait for you to open every box. When I go buy a TV. They bring the box. They take it out. The connect it. They check it. They put it back. I take it home. I've never heard of such a thing where you go to a camera store and they put the box sealed in a bag and you pay and that's it. Checking it is the whole thing. 

I'm not sure what stores you buy from. I have never bought a camera, TV, etc.. where I unboxed it in store and the store wanted me to check it. And I've never seen anyone else do it. All the Leica other boxes are sealed and the one camera store in my area that sells Leica cameras do not open those boxes before selling it.

If you want to open a box before leaving a store that is your business but it is not the normal and I have never seen this happen (and I've bought a lot of cameras).

[jaapv]

On 6/18/2024 at 4:09 AM, crons said:

The point in my post is the store themselves open the box and expect the customer to check the items. They stand there and wait for you to open every box. When I go buy a TV. They bring the box. They take it out. The connect it. They check it. They put it back. I take it home. I've never heard of such a thing where you go to a camera store and they put the box sealed in a bag and you pay and that's it. Checking it is the whole thing. 

I've never seen that happen.

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[marchyman]

54 minutes ago, bcaslis said:

but it is not the normal

It may not be normal where you live and shop.  It may be an everyday occurrence where crons lives and shops.

I often buy things (including cameras) on line.  I expect purchases of new products to arrive in factory packaging with seals intact unless otherwise informed otherwise before I make the purchase.  When shopping in stores normal varies according to the store.   My local big box is not going remove packaging and inspect.  A boutique store might offer to check the product before I leave.