Lens hood cap M35/2 - "We don't want to sell you one!"

[astral]

After waiting 4 months for Leica to restock on 14043 lens hood cover for the

M35/2 they are now available again.

 

So, I phoned a London dealer, who specialises in Leicas (The Classic Camera), to

buy one by mail order. Ha! But the cost (quoted at 13GBP plus 7.50GBP postage)

was "... below our minimum mailorder value of 20 Pounds per order". In other

words one UK dealer (probably a notable exception) will not be sell these caps,

singly, by mailorder to established Leica customers.

 

As I use Leicas professionally, Leica UK eventually offered - very exceptionally

- to supply direct, particularly as there is no dealer within 50 miles from me.

Their cost was significantly less than from the dealer mentioned - AND with only

a nominal charge for postage - only 11GBP total! Full marks, Leica UK!

 

Of course customers can't force shops to sell any item, but this instance

strikes me as very poor customer relations. As high street local shops close we

are driven increasingly to mailorder - I hope this sort of arrogance is not

becoming the norm as well.

 

Questions:

 

Would you continue to buy from a dealer who (although you pay top price, and

exorbitant postage, and use a debit card not checks or funny money) declines to

sell you an item like this?

 

How highly do you expect to be valued by your dealer?

 

A.C.

[paul hart]

I've heard similar reports of this outfit before, to the general effect that they are a bit sniffy

and supply the Leica jewellery brigade. If that's right, I don't suppose they're interested in low

profit-margin bits like this.

 

I deal exclusively with Wilkinson Cameras in the north of England and they could not be more

helpful. Get back to me directly if you want their details.

[john_amiet2]

Alan wrote: << How highly do you expect to be valued by your dealer? >>

 

So high that I cannot see over the top! I AM his livelyhood, and indirectly he is mine. It must be a working relationship, but alas, your discovery is a very real concern that is only growing.

 

We have known "the best of times" and alas, will know "the worst of times". Be gratful for the former.

 

Cheers,

JA

[aaron_johnston]

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00IpVY

[leica ron]

Classic Camera are a funny lot. Ivor (I think) is the bearded guy and was very helpful and

kinda willing to 'chat' Leica.

 

The light coloured hair guy in there has always been a sourpuss whenever I've been in.

They had an old fella in their helping out when I was there last, he was good to chat to as

well.

 

I dropped a lot of money in there on books, magazines and a used Leica loupe.

 

However, I've been into the Lewis store and been treated in a mixed manner by their staff.

But even speaking as a British citizen who lived in London for nearly thirty-years before

moving to Canada, I've been here nearly ten-years, I find many old-school British

establishments to be rude and obnoxious when compared to the North American customer

service attitude. It's sad, because now I'm thankful that i don't live in England anymore ...

[sdifaz]

Alan,

 

Your experience is so typical of The Classic Camera in London. I have browsed on occasions but I would NEVER buy from them. The chap with the beard is sort of ok but their attitude is still very off-hand, rude and downright un-helpfull in my opinion. For leica in London try Richard Caplan, they are very knowledgeable, extremely helpfull and best of all friendly...!

 

Regards

 

Simon

[imran_ahmed]

I have bought a lot from Classic Camera between 1998 - 2002. There were serious collectibles like Black M3 etc plus M6 TTL. Ivor is a very nice guy but will not bend over backwards. I wonder if Andrew Riley th epropreitor is in these days. He used to be very helpful to me but I have heard other stories. Richard Caplan's are nice. The one to see there is Emile who has been there for many years. Richard is very sweet, effusive but does not have the indepth knowledge of current models.

[bob soltis]

Alan,

 

no, I would not buy from a dealer who declines to sell an item like that.

 

Bill Price and his staff at Bob Davis Camera really spoiled me.

 

Best,

[peter_keating1]

It is interesting to compare Classic Camera's pricing to other places a couple of blocks away. If you watch the websites each week, or try to sell stuff through each for cash or consignment, you might notice a couple of things. For instance, the spread between where they buy and where they sell at Classic seems considerably higher. The other shop pays more and sells for less, and consequently looks like it does more flow. You might also notice a handful of items on Classic's shelves that are really stale ... stuff that has been hanging around for almost a year, not moving at all ... like a 3,500 GBP Black Midland M4. They had a black paint M2 reproduction that hung around the same way. I don't know if they ever sold it, or just withdrew it. Both items they flogged on the auction site. When you price something out of sight and it just doesn't move, you have to wonder if you are a camera trader or collector. It seems to me they just price things high and wait to see if someone buys without shopping around too much. Right now they have a Titanium M6 TTL priced higher than a shop two blocks away, and the other is better cosmetically. All that said, if you really, really want a black Midland M4, maybe you will lift them. You can't tell someone how to run his business. They have enough of the middle-of-the-road (for Leica) stuff turning over to pay for the electricity.

[steven_moseley1]

Hiya,

 

Q "Would you continue to buy from a dealer.."

 

A NO NO NO

 

Use Richard caplan, if you must use a London dealer. Frankly most London camera dealers are crap. They give through the roof prices, poor service, awful displays and very very bad retail skills.

 

cheers Steve.

[35mmdelux]

yes, I heard they were a bit stuffy. London firm I believe, no?

 

"How highly do you expect to be valued by your dealer?"

 

I would ask how long they wish to remain in business?

[astral]

Pretty much the sentiments I anticipated. All your comments seem to suggest that quality of service is important with a brand like Leica and I guess you/we don't mind paying a fair price for it.

 

But it seems that a few specialist dealers are trying to protect their businesses against rising costs and falling turnover (including losing business to online retailers) by providing a poorer customer service, and by maintaining high prices wherever possible, particularly on used cameras. That's not the best way to run a business nowadays, but for a few classic photo shops it seems to be the only way they can think. I feel that when love of the subject (eg cameras) is much greater than knowledge of the business environment (running a shop) this is a classic definition of an amateur! I guess that the distinction with a professional is (or at least should be) that he/she knows the subject fully, and knows how to make it into a sucessful business ... Personally I want a professional service from a Leica dealer, not an amateur one.

 

The good news is that the 14043 lens hood caps are available - at least for a while ... and that Leica (UK) appear to understand what customer service is all about, even if the odd retailer 'lets the side down'.

 

Thanks, AC