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7 hours ago, andybarton said:

I had the same experience as Brad in the SF store 10 years ago. 

When I lived in the Bay Area in the early 2000’s, one of the best stores (two large buildings) for Leica, and for lots of other photo gear, was Keeble and Shuchat in Palo Alto. Superb service and expertise. Unfortunately they closed after 51 years in 2016, when the family owner said that small retail business in the area became too difficult and expensive, especially with online shopping.  

Like Brad, however, I had also good experiences at the Walnut Creek store, owned by Sean Cranor since 2000. He also owns the SF store, which I think  opened in 2014, 6 years after I left the area. And he owns a store in Rancho Mirage, which I never visited.  After moving back east, however, I did trade an Oberwerth camera bag, which I bought elsewhere and didn’t like, for a new Billingham bag through a phone call to the SF Leica store. It was an unusual transaction, but they were willing to accommodate and made it pretty simple, while other stores closer to me could not.  

San Francisco, in general, has had increasing problems in recent years. A tough place to do business. A few years ago, I heard that the Leica Store was subject to armed robbery, resulting in $180k stolen goods. Fortunately nobody got hurt.

Edited by Jeff S
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Posted (edited)
On 3/5/2025 at 6:42 AM, Jeff S said:

When I lived in the Bay Area in the early 2000’s, one of the best stores (two large buildings) for Leica, and for lots of other photo gear, was Keeble and Shuchat in Palo Alto. Superb service and expertise. Unfortunately they closed after 51 years in 2016, when the family owner said that small retail business in the area became too difficult and expensive, especially with online shopping.  

+1 Keebler and Shuchat on California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA was such a wonderful store. They had a vast Leica collection and wonderful Leica pre-owned area. In the late 80’s I bought my first Leica M3 SS there along with a somewhat hazy 50mm 1.5 Summarit.  I was doing a film gig for DOE with my Bolex at SLAC and every time I was in town I’d be sure to stop in at Keeble and Shuchat. I really miss stores like these.

 

 

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Edited by RMF
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I had a great experience buying my used Monochrom via phone from Leica Store DC. Super helpful and prompt replies to question after the purchase as well.

Asked Leica Store Miami a question about obsolete finders and Josh took the time to give me good advice and info even though they did not even have one to sell me and did not even try to switch me to something they did stock.

I'd gladly patronize either DC or Miami in the future

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