A little Leica Rant...

[megkris]

Just wanna share...

I dropped my leica universal viewfinder in vegas 2 months ago.... Broke the casing while the glass was intact so i thought its just a matter fixing back the casing.

Came home and sent it to leica Singapore.

I just got the quotation for the repairs after it was sent to germany...



Cost was almost SGD 1.3K.

A brand new piece probably cost SGD1k?

And to add insult, i had to pay a fee of SGD 180 even if i dun repair it! I chose not to repair...

Time to look at http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=2776

 

[sequitur]

uh.. why you never ask first?

Honestly I think most of the cost goes into buying an air ticket for the item than the repairs...

 

[nex100]

I think the thing about sending things to Solms to have them quote for the repair is utter rubbish. Now we have internet, video, email and all sorts of things to enable Leica to examine the product before deciding how much it should cost for repairs. Why shouldn't Leica Singapore have the professionalism an expertise to tell you how much a repair is? Even if they are unable to do so, do you know that the nearest official Leica repair center is in Hong Kong and not Solms? Come on Leica Singapore, don't tell me you are unaware that your fellow colleagues in Hong Kong can help and you have to send the unit to Daddy in Germany just to have it examined.

 

[Canonised]

Leica's management is still operating in the 80's ...
customers' after-sale service is almost non-existent.

 

[pikapig]

i guess the reason was that, buying a leica is more of a pull factor, rather than push factor...people who buy leica digital or lenses is not particular about the after sales services..

If this goes the same for canon, nikon, sony etc...i guess they will also remain in the 80's

What is missing is a strong competitor against them in this niche market...but guess its hard to find one...

 

[NazgulKing]

i guess the reason was that, buying a leica is more of a pull factor, rather than push factor...people who buy leica digital or lenses is not particular about the after sales services..

If this goes the same for canon, nikon, sony etc...i guess they will also remain in the 80's

What is missing is a strong competitor against them in this niche market...but guess its hard to find one...

They branded themselves as a luxury brand. Any repairs by them would be expensive.

 

[pikapig]

They branded themselves as a luxury brand. Any repairs by them would be expensive.

Yup agree...But quoting a repair that cost more than buying a new one..is just not right...i thought most company will quote the usual reply that it would be more economical to purchase a new item rather than still offering the option of repairing..haha

 

[Benji77]

Using and owning an Leica is an emotional consideration, hence they rate you as 'emotionally' attached to your stuff. Hence you'd rather repair it.

 

[tangerine]

TS, are you sure they actually sent the damaged part to Germany? From what I know, manufacturers these days don't even bother to repair such 'accessories'. They will simply replace with a new one, as the cost of analyzing and repairing the part, will be the same as the cost of manufacturing the part.

 

[megkris]

I sent it to leica singapore at orchard... They said its at Solms, if they are not to be believed then who can we trust in?

 

[Canonised]

I sent it to leica singapore at orchard... They said its at Solms, if they are not to be believed then who can we trust in?

Trust only our garhment!

 

[tangerine]

I sent it to leica singapore at orchard... They said its at Solms, if they are not to be believed then who can we trust in?

True. By the way, did you have to pay GST on the $180 assessment fee?

 

[zixaw]

I just checked, the Universal Viewfinder is USD899 on B&H Photo in the US. So the official retail price is probably a bit more and add in 7% for GST and you probably got quoted the price for a new unit.

 

[megkris]

I just checked, the Universal Viewfinder is USD899 on B&H Photo in the US. So the official retail price is probably a bit more and add in 7% for GST and you probably got quoted the price for a new unit.

Exactly!

 

[zixaw]

Exactly!

Maybe you are getting a new unit?

 

[megkris]

Either this...

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=2776

or get a 18mm Viewfinder from leica or V. Only using it for my 16-18-21 WATE