e-bay value

[peter_j_harvey]

I'm a bit upset, but would like to cry on someone's shoulder! Brought an R4 SL Mot on e-bay for $250.00 It was advertized as "as is: anyway, it will cost me close to 400.00 to get it CLA'd by Kindermann. Should I just assume that an R4 CLA'd is as good as new? Bit surprised at an

Elmarit-R 28mm I sent in along with the body. That's going to cost 156.00! Makes you wonder if buying new is the only way to go! I really enjoy reading all the expertize on the Group. Please, I'm not mad at Kindermann, I think they are being very reasonable. Lens will be re collimated, plus lubed and cleaned. Just wondering how far you can stretch a description. Pete Harvey

[tony_brookes5]

As a piece of advice I would simply say never buy nothing which is

advertised 'as is'. This description is designed deliberately to

mislead since if there are faults then they can simply be described -

or - if the owner genuinely doesn't know what is wrong find out how

long he has owned it. Then ask him why he is describing it with 'as

is' and not fully explaining its condition. CAVEAT EMPTOR.

[john_alfred_tropiano]

Pete:

First off I do not think it advisible to purchase anything unseen,

especially a Leica camera or lens. "As is" is very misleading. To

purchase the camera for $250.00 then spend another $400.00 to CLA it,

you could have paid about the same amount of money and purchased a

camera in much better condition! Not only that, but now you have to

wait for who knows how long before it comes back from the shop.I

learned the hard way a few years ago when I purchased a camera through

the mail. It arrived in much worse condition than advertised. CAVEAT

EMPTOR!!!!

[tony_brookes5]

Sorry ! I forgot to check my typing:

 

<p>

 

I meant "never buy anything"

[richie chishty]

Pete:

 

<p>

 

I feel your pain! I had to do the same thing with a M3 purchased on

EBAY. Leica USA charged $300 for a CLA and shutter curtain repairs.

But now the M3 looks and feels as good as my new M6 TTL. The M3

should be good for another 20 years of service before needing a CLA!

 

<p>

 

Kindermann has a very good reputation, so I assume your R4 SL MOT and

28mm lens will be returned to you in perfect mechanical condition.

Servicing Leica equipment is very expensive, but I hope you knew that

before taking the plunge!

 

<p>

 

Anyway, you will enjoy using Leica cameras and lenses. The prints

and slides I get with my M and R equipment are

stunning!.......................

[michael_darnton1]

Speaking for myself, I'd rather buy a camera cheap, with room in the

price for a CLA, after which I'll know for sure that everything is

perfect, right from that moment, than buy something more expensive,

in apparently better shape, which hasn't been cleaned for 25 years

and might break down tomorrow, needing the exact same expensive CLA,

costing me even more money in the long run. In fact, I've done both

of those things, unintentionally, and the first plan hurt me a lot

less, in the long run.

[andrew_schank]

"As is" on ebay almost always means it IS broken. I often inquire

about equipment with thin descriptions, and if I get no answer or "I

am not a camera person" I do not bid anymore unless the item is give

it away cheap.

[raymond_tai]

You didn't say what work was done by Kindermann but when I buy used

Leica lenses from ebay I always add on roughly $80 for CLA. Typically

any used Leica M lens from the 50's to the 70's would be fogged and the

mount will need to be repacked to get it smooth again. I use an

independant repairman else it would be twice as costly. Regarding R

bodies I have had enough bad experiences to just stick to the R8 and

not look back!

[mark_johnson3]

Pete:

 

<p>

 

I bought an R4 on Ebay and had to have it serviced. It was stated in

good condition with all functions working. I wound up with about

$500.00 into the body, but it works well now. I have purchased

several lenses on Ebay and not been burned. One seller advertised

mint condition, and it wasn't. He refunded my money and didn't offer

the lens on Ebay again. My best buys from a money and quality

standpoint are ones I purchased from individuals in Germany. Even

allowing for the money orders, exchange fees and shipping, the

quality is better and the sellers appear more honest about their

equipment. I would not purchase another body on Ebay. I say cut

your losses and learn.

 

<p>

 

Good luck.

 

<p>

 

 

Mark J.

[mostly sports]

Bodies have more moving parts, and more to go wrong. If a lens has

clear glass and smooth focus, with clean aperture blades, it's

probably ok. So I am much more comfortable buying used lenses than

bodies. A very reputable seller will often give a right of return.

Someone trying to peddle a dog won't. The look and feel of the add,

and the feedback record (which really should be pristine) should give

you a sense of whether or not you really want to get involved. I also

recommend some correspondence with the seller well before the end of

the auction, just to get all your questions answered, and see how

responsive the seller is. Ebay is a great marketplace, but caveat

emptor remains the rule.

[popeye_cahn]

Wow, 400 bones! I guess I'll let the R4sp go until it absolutely

needs it!

[pradeep satyaprakash]

Avoid 'as-is' unless looking for spare parts. Avoid estate liquidators who 'don't know much about the camera'. Definitely avoid anyone who cannot anser basic questions about the camera. Best to deal with people who are camera buffs like yourself, and you can make that out by having an email conversation or by looking at their previous auctions or the "About Me" pages.

[eliot]

There is no such thing as an "R4-SL MOT". There is a Leicaflex-SL MOT and also R4-S and R4-SP (also called R4-S MOD 2). I assume you meant one of these. But cameras like R3, R4-S, R4-SP (I assume your camera is one of these) are not worth much more than $ 400 in working condition. I'm not sure why a CLA should cost that much. Sounds like quit a bit to me for just a CLA, except if there are specific problems that need to be fixed (like the shutter is needs repair). Are these Canadian dollars or USD?