Buying an M8 in Europe?

[mitchell]

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I may have an opportunity to buy a M 8 in Europe, and bring it back to the US.

 

Is there any problem with doing that? Warranty complications? Service difficulties in future? Excessive customs duties?

 

Thanks for you advice.

 

Best,

 

Mitchell

[wattsy]

I cannot comment on the customs duties but you should have no problem having the camera serviced/fixed under warranty. If you buy from an authorised dealer, you will be entitled to have the camera repaired by the nearest Leica repair centre - be that Leica NJ or wherever. The one thing that you should think about is the passport warranty. These are issued by and dealt with by the Leica distributors and not Leica AG. For example, if you bought in the UK, the passport is issued by Leica UK and Leica USA would have no obligation to provide any passport service (for example, you dropped the camera) even though they are obliged to fix any normal warranty issues that you may have.

[robsteve]

Is there passport protection on the M8? I don't see any info on warranty when you look up the M8 on the Leica web site.

[cbretteville]

I read somwhere that the world wide guarrantee is honored regardless of where the M8 was purchased as long as it is purchased through an authorized dealer. Can't remember where though.... sorry.

- C

[wattsy]

Is there passport protection on the M8? I don't see any info on warranty when you look up the M8 on the Leica web site.

 

There is with Leica UK (the application form is in the box) but I'm not sure about other areas.

[@bumac]

But it is cheaper in USA. Look here: http://www.amazon.com/Leica-Digital-Rangefinder-Camera-Viewfinder/dp/B000J6FTVK/sr=8-1/qid=1162569897/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1874271-2036025?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

[wattsy]

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But it is cheaper in USA. Look here: http://www.amazon.com/Leica-Digital-Rangefinder-Camera-Viewfinder/dp/B000J6FTVK/sr=8-1/qid=1162569897/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-1874271-2036025?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

 

It's not much cheaper - even with the current exchange rate - if you exclude the VAT.

[grober]

The European dealer will most probably tell you there's no problem. You should call Leica in New Jersey and question them on this before you buy from any out-of-country seller.

 

Also, I don't believe there is such a thing as a Passport warranty on the M8 in the USA. I believe it comes with an "ordinary" two-year warranty. The Passport warranty applied to any and all risks encountered by any owner buying from an authorized U. S. dealer. Things are different now: given the electronic guts of modern digital cameras, a manufacturer would be foolish to protect these devices from the hard knocks of life.

 

-g

[mitchell]

Thank you all for your helpful responses. I will call Leica US about Passport and Warranty.

 

Does anyone know how VAT works? Will I have to pay it if I pick the camera up in Europe and return in a week to the US. How much is it?

 

And customs added on to that?

 

Thanks,

 

Mitchell

[stunsworth]

Hi Mitchell, VAT varies from ountry to country - for example it's 17.5% in the UK. If you buy during a visit you'll be able to reclaim the VAT when you leave the EU. You may still need to pay import duty when you arrive back in the US.

 

Be aware that although there are M8s now in Europe, they aren't generally available 'ex-stock'. I phoned my nearest dealer earlier this week and was told that if I placed an order now I should have a camera in February!

[wattsy]

Things are different now: given the electronic guts of modern digital cameras, a manufacturer would be foolish to protect these devices from the hard knocks of life.

 

Maybe but Leica UK *are* providing full Passport coverage so not all the distributor subsidiaries of Leica AG share this view.

[jrc]

When landing back in the U.S., you'll be given a landing card on which you must decalre all purchases made abroad, that you're bringing in with you. You're allowed to bring in, duty-free, $800 worth of purchases. If you're traveling with other members of your family, they are also given an $800 exemption, and you're allowed to lump them together to cover a single purchase. You can bring in more than $800, but you have to pay duty on the rest. It's been a long time since I've done that, because most expensive items are cheaper in the U.S. than in Europe, even with the VAT refund, so I'm not sure what the excess-value ratwe is, but several years ago it was 10% of the excess value. You could probably find out by calling the embassy in whatever country you're in. (If it's still 10 percent, and you pay ~ $4800 for an M8, you'd have to pay duty on $4, 000; if it's still 10%, it'd be another $400.)

 

JC

[mitchell]

I just spoke to Leica USA, and they said there is no Passport "at this time" on the M8 because of electronics.

 

There is a regular 2 year warranty.

 

Thanks for the VAT and customs info.

 

It would be great to have the M 8 while I'm in Europe. Buying it here I think I won't get it till after Christmas.

 

Best,

 

Mitchell