albertwang Posted December 12, 2006 Share #21 Posted December 12, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have been a client of Rich for nearly 5 years now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 12, 2006 Posted December 12, 2006 Hi albertwang, Take a look here Photo Village in NYC. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
albertknappmd Posted December 12, 2006 Share #22 Posted December 12, 2006 have had very good results with them... very responsive but no bargains. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan States Posted December 13, 2006 Share #23 Posted December 13, 2006 They have great selection, but you better know what you want, because the return policy is pretty stiff. Like all the New York shops they seem, to my ears, rude on the phone. That may be typical for that part of America, but I'll never get used to it. B&H is the same way. What is so hard about answering the phone with "Thank you for calling "x", I'm "X", how may I help you?" Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamriman Posted December 14, 2006 Share #24 Posted December 14, 2006 Nice guy. Never a problem. I live in NY though and order out of state to avoid tax. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cape24 Posted May 11, 2009 Share #25 Posted May 11, 2009 I must say, I thought i was dealing with a reputable dealer. However, I left a $2500 deposit, and Rich has refused to deliver the items, or return my deposit. He has decided to change the terms of the invoice, price, quantity, shipping charges, and method of payment, after the fact. Not sure if anyone else on the board, has had a similar experience????? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Efra1 Posted May 11, 2009 Share #26 Posted May 11, 2009 I must say, I thought i was dealing with a reputable dealer. However, I left a $2500 deposit, and Rich has refused to deliver the items, or return my deposit. He has decided to change the terms of the invoice, price, quantity, shipping charges, and method of payment, after the fact. Not sure if anyone else on the board, has had a similar experience????? Can you explain a little more about that?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
martha Posted May 11, 2009 Share #27 Posted May 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have purchased several items from Photo Village over the years (a CV 40 1.4, and several smaller items) with no porblem. Last month I was in the shop and bought an A&A bag. Got it back to the hotel room and started putting my gear in it and noticed the lining was coming undone. I e-mailed Rich immediately and took it back the next day and Will cheerfully replaced the item. No problem. I think (please correct me) that they are the only Leica "Shop in a Shop" in the Northeast US. That alone speaks volumes for me, as I doubt that Leica would permit that with any run of the mill camera shop. I will continue to deal with them. I am a satisfied customer. Happy shooting with your new camera. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted May 11, 2009 Share #28 Posted May 11, 2009 I have bought a number of things from Rich (including my first Leica) and never had a problem, but I've heard of mixed experiences from others, sort of like what's being reported in this thread. Mark I think you will find Leica will look after you, especially since your dealer will go to bat for you. They gave me incredible service on an in-warranty body earlier this year on advice from my dealer. I understand you're upset, but I think Leica will make everything good for you as they did for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted May 11, 2009 Share #29 Posted May 11, 2009 Over the years I've bought a lot of gear from Rich. So far, so good. My only complaint was that one of the lenses was severely backordered and it was obvious that he was stringing me along to keep the sale. In any case, it all came out in the wash and no hard feelings. His prices are right and appears to have a good connection with Leica. He always seems to have a steady supply of demo gear at good prices, with a reduced factory warranty. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevidon Posted May 13, 2009 Share #30 Posted May 13, 2009 I bought a couple of lenses and some other random stuff from them. Very reliable and nice to deal with. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtelierM Posted May 13, 2009 Share #31 Posted May 13, 2009 I have been dealing with Photo Village for over 2 years--they are reputable and provide quick and excellent service. Will is the person I have dealt with over the phone and during several visits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted May 13, 2009 Share #32 Posted May 13, 2009 They have great selection, but you better know what you want, because the return policy is pretty stiff." This has been my experience also. I purchased a camera and two lenses from them 7-8 years ago, but because of a misunderstanding regarding the return policy, I decided never to do business with them again. At that time, their prices were very competitive, but now they seem to be on the more expensive side. Price wise, they don't seem to be any different from any of a number of other places. In terms of value, I would look west to Tony Rose. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
batmobile Posted May 14, 2009 Share #33 Posted May 14, 2009 Tony Rose is SUPERB. He is about the only dealer I would bother with because I have had perfect experiences with him, bags of help and patience and wonderful service. I have heard pretty well the same from others. He has gotten his formula right and I will remain loyal because of it. I would not go near a company that screwed you for $200 to return a lens full of dust unless it was described as such. In the UK, Red Dot cameras have been very nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted May 16, 2009 Share #34 Posted May 16, 2009 I second the vote for Red Dot Cameras in UK Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoskeptic Posted May 18, 2009 Share #35 Posted May 18, 2009 I have purchased the following from Photo Village: M4, M6TTL LHSA, M8 and many lenses. I had no problems with anything I purchased from them until I returned a CV 35 for partial exchange on a 35 Cron ASPH. They weren't very charitable with my return and when I called to talk about it the person was always "not there" or "unavailable". Obviously a good buying history does not seem to guarantee service with a smile. I'll go elsewhere for my next Leica purchase. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kivis Posted November 13, 2009 Share #36 Posted November 13, 2009 Bringing up the old thread. I love Photo Village, although I am frightened to go in there for fear that I will empty my bank account. I find Will and Rich very knowledgeable and friendly. Return policy a little stiff but small shops can get burnt so easily. I hope shops like this can stay in the game forever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ModernMan Posted November 13, 2009 Share #37 Posted November 13, 2009 I've dealt with Rich for several years, and recently Will as well, purchasing several Leica-M's, various lenses (even Canon gear), and most recently an M9. Service has always been first class -- no issues ever. Returns, exchanges, order cancellations etc. have always been worked out on reasonable terms (if you don't like the default terms, see if you can negotiate some other mutually acceptable terms in advance). I like to support Rich because he makes a significant investment in a top-tier Leica retail operation. As well, I've seen him routinely go out of his way (beyond normal expectations) to accomodate customer needs and preferences. I'm sure there are other good dealers, but PhotoVillage is my first choice, and always a stop when in New York. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted November 13, 2009 Share #38 Posted November 13, 2009 Why should a shop, even B&H, let you test drive an expensive camera, and let you return it. I always thought that was crazy. Once it is returned, they can't sell it as new anymore... they sell this stuff as "open-box" items no? I don't blame PV for having this policy. There are too many people who just borrow a camera based on a return policy... and remember, PV has a rental department. Return policies are free rentals to some people. I think that is unfair. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglehs Posted September 2, 2011 Share #39 Posted September 2, 2011 They have a M9-P advertised on their main page for $ 1000. This must be some form of bait advertising. Unless it is a closeout sale of some sort. I have ordered one. Lets see if they come through... The Photo Village Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted September 2, 2011 Share #40 Posted September 2, 2011 They have a M9-P advertised on their main page for $ 1000. This must be some form of bait advertising. Unless it is a closeout sale of some sort. I have ordered one. Lets see if they come through It's not bait advertising at all. If you read the link you'll see that the $1000 is for a deposit on the camera. http://photovillage.com/product.php?productid=3798&cat=0&page=1&featured The actual camera is $7995 and the $1000 deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances. I hope you enjoy your M9-P. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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