Hi, I hear often the expression "gray market": what does it mean? Also, the price for the M6 ttl varies a lot (between us1400 to us2000). What should I be careful about before possibly buying one?

Thank you, Arié

-- Arié Haziza (arie_haziza@ey.bm), May 26, 2001

Answers

When you buy new Leica equipment not from "authorized dealer", you are buying from "gray market", the price may be cheaper, but don't expect to get warranty and support when something goes wrong with your camera.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), May 27, 2001.

There are items from the official distributor, properly imported items and then there are graymarket items. Items bought though the proper distribution channels from the official distributor will be fully supported by the official distributor for the length of time specified (Canada, USA and others have a three year passport warranty). Properly imported items are purchased through proper channels in another country. They will be supported in any country for the Leica two year warranty period (they will bill the originating country for the repairs who then bill Leica AG). The final source is the infamous graymarket which are items sold outside official distribution channels. For what ever reason, the importer sells the items and offers no support whatsoever (generally into another country). They maintain no repair staff, parts stock or any other expensive services that the distributor has to offer. Thus they are able to sell the gear cheaper than official distributors. If your graymarket item requires work and you send it to the official distributor for repair, they will check its serial number to find out if it was sold though proper channels or not. If it is a graymarket item, they will repair it but charge you for the repair. Some other manufactor's distributors will refuse to work on any gear that is graymarket (Nikon is a good example). If you buy graymarket make sure that the store you purchase it from is willing to support the items for a satisfactory length of time and has access to good Leica repair technicians. I personally would not buy a graymarket body nor super highspeed lenses as the likelyhood of adjustments and repairs is higher than with accessories or moderate speed lenses. You get what you pay for. I like good support and I am happy to pay for it.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), May 27, 2001.

As a seller of Leica equipment in Canada I wholeheartedly agree with everything John has said. Look at it this way. You come to me and pay a bit extra for properly imported equipment. Two months later, just before a trip to the Orient (this is a true story), you drop your most used lens and it needs to go for repair. I send it off and give you a 28mm loaner for 3 weeks for your trip. Everyone's happy. NEW SCENARIO - you come to me, asking me to meet a grey markets prices, which I can't. You buy the grey market camera to save $300.00. You drop the lens, come to me and ask for help - I tell you to go to where you purchased the camera and they say "yes we'll fix the lens, it will take 6 weeks, but we have no loaners". You go on your once in a lifetime trip without your favorite focal lenght. BET YOU WISHED YOU'D SUPPORTED YOUR LOCAL DEALER NOW!!

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), May 27, 2001.