bybrett Posted June 28, 2009 Share #41 Posted June 28, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leica UK is a 100% owned subsidiary of Leica Camera AG. As far as I know this is correct. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 28, 2009 Posted June 28, 2009 Hi bybrett, Take a look here Warning about The Classic Camera shop in London. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted June 28, 2009 Share #42 Posted June 28, 2009 I stand corrected. I thought that it was owned by the senior management in MK. Apologies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crm.ecosse Posted June 28, 2009 Share #43 Posted June 28, 2009 Are you sure, Ian? Is there any clarity here? - - - - - Within the SOCRATES Group, Leica Camera AG together with its subsidiaries forms the smallest group of consolidated companies among the sub-groups. The present Group financial statements are published in the German electronic federal gazette. The Company’s economic relationships and exchange of performances with related parties are detailed under Other disclosures. 2. Group of consolidated In addition to Leica Camera AG, the group of consolidated companies includes the companies following. Leica Aparelhos Ópticos de Precisão S.A., Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal March 31, 1994 91.66% Leica Camera Inc., Allendale, New Jersey, USA March 31, 1995 100.00% Leica Camera Ltd., Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, UK March 31, 1996 100.00% Leica Camera S.A.R.L., Gennevilliers, France March 31, 1996 100.00% Leica Camera Japan Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan February 28, 2005 51.00% Leica Cinema GmbH, Zurich, Switzerland December 22, 2006 100.00% Leica Cinema GmbH, Zurich, Switzerland, founded in December 2006, does not yet conduct any business. The purpose of the company is the development, production and distribution of film cameras and other optical equipment. - - - - - Regards, crm.ecosse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted June 28, 2009 Share #44 Posted June 28, 2009 Like I said, I stand corrected. I was wrong, and have said so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crm.ecosse Posted June 28, 2009 Share #45 Posted June 28, 2009 Leica UK would do well to list on-line, a simple PDF would suffice and could be regularly updated, a schedule of their Authorised Dealers. The currently available 'Dealer Locater / Leica Dealer Search' is rather too long-winded for a country with a population of c.60,000,000 and, at most - I imagine, no more than 20 Authorised Dealers stocking new Leica-M cameras. - - - - - 'Leica products are sold throughout the world - but only through authorised dealers. They can advise you on the products in our range that are of interest . This dealer locator will help you find the nearest dealers to you.' - - - - - Not really much help if living on the Kintyre Peninsula, or wherever else, and using a geographic finder which offers a maximum distance of 100 miles and then a choice of 20, 40 or 60 dealers per page! A single page would show who is and, by omission, who is not. This does exist in hard copy form from Milton Keynes. Regards, crm.ecosse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crm.ecosse Posted June 28, 2009 Share #46 Posted June 28, 2009 Not really much help if living on the Kintyre Peninsula, or wherever else, and using a geographic finder which offers a maximum distance of 100 miles and then a choice of 20, 40 or 60 dealers per page! Regards, crm.ecosse Perhaps there is some entertainment to be had here as a dealer search from Kintyre directs me to an Authorised Dealer in Carlisle. To keep things in perspective, the route suggested is via. the Isle of Arran using the Claonaig to Lochranza and the Brodick to Ardrossan ferries. More than a good day out. The £500.00 M8 rebate will be of immense use to cover the costs involved. This especially since I lost a D-Lux 4 optical viewfinder 'into the drink' while boarding the sea-plane, from a less than stable pontoon, at Oban Marina a few weeks ago! I should say that the finder, with its metal foot, came out of the D-Lux 4 shoe. Finally, there is something to be said for the synthetic foot of the Lumix alternative finder - it spring locks when pushed home! Regards, crm.ecosse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveP Posted June 28, 2009 Share #47 Posted June 28, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) In CC I would say that I am impressed by the way they have laid out their shop that reflects the Leica image, and is similar to the Paris Leica dedicated shop. I would like to see the UK approved Leica dealer shops invest in a similar decor....perhaps supported by the factory in terms of shop design. RG Lewis about 200 metres from CC is a superb shop in terms of knowledge about Leica, commitment to the brand, and large stock of Leica product (new and old). It would be nice see a move towards a shop decor that matches Leica's new image in Mayfair (I guess?) and Paris, Tokyo, Berlin etc. If I may just make a comment regarding R G Lewis. Many of you will be aware that they were forced to move recently when their location was sold to developers. In an attempt to serve their longstanding customers, they found the most appropriate place possible (after a temporary relocation) that would allow them to stay in the general area. I don't think it will come as a surprise to learn that many distributors expect a lot from their dealers - carrying minimum amounts of stock, minimum orders, etc. - and this is very difficult for a small independent compared to the Jessops of the world. In some cases, distributors make contributions to win certain benefits - no different than Tesco "selling" shelf position - but these as well rarely benefit the independent. I am no different than most of you. I compare prices online (especially the UK "premium" we pay over US prices) as due diligence, but whenever possible, I attempt to support the independent shops that offer me personalised service. You won't go wrong with R G Lewis, but should you find other shops to recommend, please do so. Photo.net has a useful retailer rating page - maybe something similar is available here, but I've not seen it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bybrett Posted June 28, 2009 Share #48 Posted June 28, 2009 I don't think it will come as a surprise to learn that many distributors expect a lot from their dealers - carrying minimum amounts of stock, minimum orders, etc. - and this is very difficult for a small independent compared to the Jessops of the world. . It ain't looking so good for Jessops right now... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusperkins Posted June 28, 2009 Share #49 Posted June 28, 2009 You won't go wrong with R G Lewis, but should you find other shops to recommend, please do so. Photo.net has a useful retailer rating page - maybe something similar is available here, but I've not seen it. I must admit Len and the gang at R.G Lewis are genuinely good people. Honest and reliable, they have always bent over backwards, and then a little more, to help sort out any problems I've had with my Leica's. The shop and website may not suggest this, but R.G lewis has a very interesting history - next time you're in there ask Len about it... and tell him Marcus sent you. You won't get a discount, but you will get the longer more interesting version haha! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted June 29, 2009 Share #50 Posted June 29, 2009 The passport warranty is only available through authorised Leica dealers. It's part of an incentive to go to authorised dealers instead of buying from people who source their product through the grey market from god knows where. Andy I believe that the Passport is only available through official "UK" Leica outlets. I guess this means RG Lewis official dealers but would also cover Harrods for example. The passport coverage seems pretty thorough as it apparently includes accidental damage for two years. This level of warranty is not provided outside the UK, and that is strange behavior for Leica as a global company, presumably working to the same standards everywhere. As for you comment about going to an authorised dealer ....Classic Camera would actually look to most people as very much a Leica official dealer, perhaps even more so than RG Lewis. A buyer at CC would have to ask the right questions to determine that they are getting a grey import, not covered by the UK passport etc. These guys even give the £500 back and do it on the spot without having to wait for a cheque from Milton Keynes......so it appears that they are following the Leica UK initiative but are being more client orientated. I am surprised that Leica Solms are not cutting off the supply to CC, as clearly it is undermining the Leica UK operation, and their loyal dealers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSplash Posted June 29, 2009 Share #51 Posted June 29, 2009 If I may just make a comment regarding R G Lewis. Many of you will be aware that they were forced to move recently when their location was sold to developers. In an attempt to serve their longstanding customers, they found the most appropriate place possible (after a temporary relocation) that would allow them to stay in the general area. I don't think it will come as a surprise to learn that many distributors expect a lot from their dealers - carrying minimum amounts of stock, minimum orders, etc. - and this is very difficult for a small independent compared to the Jessops of the world. In some cases, distributors make contributions to win certain benefits - no different than Tesco "selling" shelf position - but these as well rarely benefit the independent. I am no different than most of you. I compare prices online (especially the UK "premium" we pay over US prices) as due diligence, but whenever possible, I attempt to support the independent shops that offer me personalised service. You won't go wrong with R G Lewis, but should you find other shops to recommend, please do so. Photo.net has a useful retailer rating page - maybe something similar is available here, but I've not seen it. I agree I am a very big fan of RG Lewis and have bought most of my Leica equipment there since 30 years, plus have had them arrange repairs and servicing. As can happen I have occasionally had some problems with Leica service etc. but I have been delighted to see that this dealer has fought my corner and had things fixed to my satisfaction. I only wish that they would modernise the shop and make it look like a Leica Boutique! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiking Posted June 29, 2009 Share #52 Posted June 29, 2009 I confirm, the classic camera shop staff has a strange attitute. I bought I Srewmount camera over the internet which was addressed with an extra 10 % at that time. The 10 % did not go off the price right away, but was supposted to be reimbursed afterwards. I waited 4 month until I found the 10 % on my account. I wrote one e-mail per week and tried to call them with no success. Finally it happened after a lot of pressure from my side. The camera however is okay, perfect. It is unfortunate for such a great shop to have staff with such a bad attitude. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted June 29, 2009 Share #53 Posted June 29, 2009 These guys even give the £500 back and do it on the spot without having to wait for a cheque from Milton Keynes......so it appears that they are following the Leica UK initiative but are being more client orientated. I am surprised that Leica Solms are not cutting off the supply to CC, as clearly it is undermining the Leica UK operation, and their loyal dealers. Surely they have no option but to give the £500 off as otherwise their price would not be competitive. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted June 29, 2009 Share #54 Posted June 29, 2009 Jeff has it spot on. They are offering a £500 discount, not cash back. Big difference. As always, Caveat Emptor applies. Homework first... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted July 1, 2009 Share #55 Posted July 1, 2009 I only wish that they would modernise the shop and make it look like a Leica Boutique! I've bought a lot of stuff from Len at RG Lewis and every time I've thought how much better it'd be if the shop looked like a Bang & Olufsen dealer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 1, 2009 Share #56 Posted July 1, 2009 I wonder if they are still offering £500 in-store discount today Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted July 1, 2009 Share #57 Posted July 1, 2009 I've bought a lot of stuff from Len at RG Lewis and every time I've thought how much better it'd be if the shop looked like a Bang & Olufsen dealer. ...you mean empty of customers...? Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted July 1, 2009 Share #58 Posted July 1, 2009 I've bought a lot of stuff from Len at RG Lewis and every time I've thought how much better it'd be if the shop looked like a Bang & Olufsen dealer. You mean all style and no substance ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted July 1, 2009 Share #59 Posted July 1, 2009 Other than to reiterate that I had a really good experience with Classic Camera in June 2008 I have little more to add but this might help to balance up the arguments for and against. If nothing else it might be a wake up call for them as I am sure Andy and Michael get sight of these threads so I guess one needs to be factual in any comments made Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted July 1, 2009 Share #60 Posted July 1, 2009 What have you seen in this thread that's not factual Kenneth? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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