Photo Village in NYC

[harleyboy]

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I am looking at a Leica at Photo Village in NYC. They are a Leica dealer. Can anyone offer any feedback on this shop? Are they honest, clean living folks?

 

I would appreciate any insight.

 

Thanks

 

Mark

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[LADP]

Last month I bought an Artisan and Artist leather strap for my M6 (since rplaced with an MP) via the phone, and they were great to deal with. They shipped it out the same day, and two days later it was at my door.

 

Although it wasn't exactly a high ticket item ($65.00), I would do business with them again. Their shop looks pretty nice in the photos, and the next time I'm in NYC I plan on stopping by.

[zetb]

I am looking at a Leica at Photo Village in NYC. They are a Leica dealer. Can anyone offer any feedback on this shop? Are they honest, clean living folks?

 

I would appreciate any insight.

 

Thanks

 

Mark

 

 

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BE CAREFUL. while a friendly group if returns are necessary

there is a steep penalty. A few years ago I bought a new 75mm Summilux from them and it had a lot of dust trapped inisde the glass. Unless I took a several hundred dollar hit they would not take it back.

 

I suggest you keep shopping around for some company that is more friendly.

[batmobile]

---------

 

BE CAREFUL. while a friendly group if returns are necessary

there is a steep penalty. A few years ago I bought a new 75mm Summilux from them and it had a lot of dust trapped inisde the glass. Unless I took a several hundred dollar hit they would not take it back.

 

I suggest you keep shopping around for some company that is more friendly.

 

 

Surely if it is under warranty they have to and cannot charge you!

[Sandokan]

I bought an M6 LHSA and a 35mm f2 from them. Both are great items and reasonably priced. The delivery person did leave them on the doorstep and did not collect a signature but I guess that is not their fault as it was supposed to be signed for.

 

I emailed them with a problem and they answered quickly and will sort this out next time I pass by.

 

I would buy again from them.

[packetman]

I have purchased an MP, a Leica 24mm Elmarit ASPH, and a Hasselblad XPan II, and some Art & Artisan straps from Rich within the last two years. I have always found Photo Village to be fast and friendly to deal with. I would not hesitate to do business with them again.

 

-bob

[vic vic]

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this is a great shop.. and rich is a very good and comfortable person to do busnes with...

[dentkimterry]

I have dealt with Rich over the years for used and demo equipment, both R and M. A first class outfit.

[mahler_one]

I know Rich for many years as well. Indeed, I bought items from him when he operated out of his apartment! Never a single problem, very honest. I would have no hesitancy at all dealing with him at any time.

[harleyboy]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I ended up buying a MP3 LHSA(chrome) from Rich. I just got it. I love it. My first Leica. Rich was great to deal with. We did it all through email until the credit card # which happened over the phone. He gave me a good deal on the camera, I got the Leica rebate and it was shipped overnight.

[nyrich]

When I first started out with Leicas, I got burned on a used lens at Photo Village. I'll admit that it was partly due to my own ignorance about a specific issue with the item. Rather than do what I thought would be the right thing, Rich chose not to. It was a lesson well-learned and I won't cry over it. He made his decision and I made mine.

 

Based on the good reviews that Photo Village generally seems to get, it might be an isolated incident. Be that as it may, we will never again do business.

[fotografr]

" I ended up buying a MP3 LHSA"

 

Nice way to start out with Leica.

[harleyboy]

yes it WAS a nice way to start Brent. You are not going to believe this story but I got my MP3, ripped it out of the box, read the manual cover to cover and decided to hit the streets to get some shots. My wife and I went out for a walk around the city ( Vancouver, BC) where I took about 5 shots along the way. We decided to hit a movie and during the movie I had to take a trip to the restroom and I gave her the MP3 to hold. I came back but let her keep it in her lap for the remainder of the movie. The end of the movie came and I was reaching to get the camera while she decided to stand up forgetting it was on her lap. SMASH right on the lens!!! I am not kidding. I was devastated. I swear there was a tear in my eye. The drive home was silent and my wife had a lot of tears that night. I spent months reading and researching about this stuff. I didn't blame her...it was an accident but I was pissed that my new toy was toasted. I emailed rich at photo village that night(he lives on email at all hours). He filled me in on the warranty that Leica offers. So now I am hoping that my wife dropped it "hard enough" to get it replaced for free. Rich even offered to try and pull some strings at leica if they don't want to give me a free lens under warranty. I can't tell the extent of the damage. The edge of the lens is all flattened which would prevent a filter from being threaded on but the glass looks good. So I suspect that they will deem i disfunctional and replace. In any event Rich said he is willing to go to bat for me given the situation. So far my experience with him has been great.

 

As he mentioned to me...this is the exact scenario where I am glad I didn't go grey market to save a few hundred bucks. Having full warranty can pay off sometimes.

 

lesson learned...never let go of your Leica.

 

Mark

[zetb]

i agree he seems honest. however, in the last few years he has changed his policy on returns to include a severe penalty. while this is understandable for a small business I will still buy from B&H. they take returns and no penalty.

 

 

I know Rich for many years as well. Indeed, I bought items from him when he operated out of his apartment! Never a single problem, very honest. I would have no hesitancy at all dealing with him at any time.

[Sandokan]

I visited recently and althoug Rich was not there, I dealt with Will. A great guy and easy to deal with. Nothing expensive - only a bag and a M magnifier but a pleasant way to spend a few hours in a foreign city. I almost did buy a Hassy though but couldnt think how to hide it from the wife. The M3 LHSA is a beauty though - so sorry to hear about your lens.

 

I also went to B&H - didnt have B&W filters in Leica sizes in stock and very succint (maybe just NY rudeness) in answering questions - still a great toy shop though.

[LADP]

Just got back from NYC tonight, and I visited Photo Village a few days ago. Rich wasn't in when I stopped by either, but I met Will, and I purchased an Artisan and Artist bag, a 1/2 case for my new M3, and a couple of soft release shutter buttons.

 

Will was great to deal with, and he put up with me spending a long time deciding which of several bag models to walk out with.

 

It's a nice shop, and I'd buy from them again. It's nice to support specialty shops that deal with quality equipment and accesories. I love B&H too, but I prefer Tony's PopFlash and stores like the old Ken Hansen, and Photo Village or the things I want that they carry.

[thpeters]

[

Put always the strap from your camera around your neck or somebody else who carries your camera, I have done that since I was 12 years old, never drop one camera. I teach my Son (13) the same thing. Just an idea.

 

But sorry that it happen to your first Leica.

 

Theo

 

QUOTE=harleyboy]yes it WAS a nice way to start Brent. You are not going to believe this story but I got my MP3, ripped it out of the box, read the manual cover to cover and decided to hit the streets to get some shots. My wife and I went out for a walk around the city ( Vancouver, BC) where I took about 5 shots along the way. We decided to hit a movie and during the movie I had to take a trip to the restroom and I gave her the MP3 to hold. I came back but let her keep it in her lap for the remainder of the movie. The end of the movie came and I was reaching to get the camera while she decided to stand up forgetting it was on her lap. SMASH right on the lens!!! I am not kidding. I was devastated. I swear there was a tear in my eye. The drive home was silent and my wife had a lot of tears that night. I spent months reading and researching about this stuff. I didn't blame her...it was an accident but I was pissed that my new toy was toasted. I emailed rich at photo village that night(he lives on email at all hours). He filled me in on the warranty that Leica offers. So now I am hoping that my wife dropped it "hard enough" to get it replaced for free. Rich even offered to try and pull some strings at leica if they don't want to give me a free lens under warranty. I can't tell the extent of the damage. The edge of the lens is all flattened which would prevent a filter from being threaded on but the glass looks good. So I suspect that they will deem i disfunctional and replace. In any event Rich said he is willing to go to bat for me given the situation. So far my experience with him has been great.

 

As he mentioned to me...this is the exact scenario where I am glad I didn't go grey market to save a few hundred bucks. Having full warranty can pay off sometimes.

 

lesson learned...never let go of your Leica.

 

Mark

[bherman01545]

[

Put always the strap from your camera around your neck or somebody else who carries your camera, I have done that since I was 12 years old, never drop one camera. I teach my Son (13) the same thing. Just an idea.

 

But sorry that it happen to your first Leica.

 

Theo

 

QUOTE=harleyboy]yes it WAS a nice way to start Brent. You are not going to believe this story but I got my MP3, ripped it out of the box, read the manual cover to cover and decided to hit the streets to get some shots. My wife and I went out for a walk around the city ( Vancouver, BC) where I took about 5 shots along the way. We decided to hit a movie and during the movie I had to take a trip to the restroom and I gave her the MP3 to hold. I came back but let her keep it in her lap for the remainder of the movie. The end of the movie came and I was reaching to get the camera while she decided to stand up forgetting it was on her lap. SMASH right on the lens!!! I am not kidding. I was devastated. I swear there was a tear in my eye. The drive home was silent and my wife had a lot of tears that night. I spent months reading and researching about this stuff. I didn't blame her...it was an accident but I was pissed that my new toy was toasted. I emailed rich at photo village that night(he lives on email at all hours). He filled me in on the warranty that Leica offers. So now I am hoping that my wife dropped it "hard enough" to get it replaced for free. Rich even offered to try and pull some strings at leica if they don't want to give me a free lens under warranty. I can't tell the extent of the damage. The edge of the lens is all flattened which would prevent a filter from being threaded on but the glass looks good. So I suspect that they will deem i disfunctional and replace. In any event Rich said he is willing to go to bat for me given the situation. So far my experience with him has been great.

 

As he mentioned to me...this is the exact scenario where I am glad I didn't go grey market to save a few hundred bucks. Having full warranty can pay off sometimes.

 

lesson learned...never let go of your Leica.

 

Mark

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[bherman01545]

Photovillage is a good store and I've had good luck there. B+H is also very good, but I would rather deal with someone smaller for Leica stuff. (Better service)

 

However, Tony at Popflash has proven himself to me as he arranged for a replacement for my defective M7 after a month of ownership. Also, he is replacing the original problematic M8s from his own stock the he just received from Solms.

 

Great prices, old-fashioned service.

[tcbig001]

I bought a Bassem T, 15mm and adapter from rich, items arrived next day.

 

While waiting I find his ad has a deal of buy a lens and a bassem L and you will get the body for $69. (no lens the body is $100)

 

Called him and he says he will let me return the T and the adapter and charge 20%. and let me buy the L for $69.

 

I grab the unopened box and drive to nyc and made the exchange.

 

I am ok with the 20% restocking fee, but

 

I'll be happier if he does not charge the 20%.

 

I'll rate him the best of this world, if he suggest the L to me at thte first place.

 

Tai