Passport info update

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I just wanted readers to know that I called Leica USA today to find out more info about the specifics of the Passport warranty we all hear so much about. I was confused by conflicting information and wanted to know what the actual rules were they went by in determining what qualified under the Passport program. I talked to the head of service there, a woman named Brenda and she gave me the following information.

I'm sure most people are aware that the Passport insurance is for 3 years and does not cover fire and theft. She told me as far as cosmetic damage, they look at each case individually. Sometimes it depends on if the camera is 6 months old or 2 years 11 months as far as what they will be willing to do at no charge. If the customer is upset about a particular cosmetic blemish such as damage caused by a small fall, they will usually repair it no charge especially if the rest of the camera is like new and was purchased fairly recently.

She told me they often even replace base plates on cameras nearly 3 years old with nice but used replacements instead of new ones if the customer sends the camera in asking for Passport work.(I have no idea where they get those from--turned in junkers that landed on there tops?)

She also mentioned that my idea about the sledge hammer wasn't probably a very good one!

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), July 02, 2001

Answers

OK, Andrew: It sounds fair to me though not too specific. But, please, tell us: will YOUR camera be fixed under the Passport program? Cheers.

- Ivan

-- Ivan Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), July 02, 2001.


I'm sure "deliberate damage" is excluded from warranty, assuming they can determine such. Reminds me of the time one of my company execs complained about his pager not working. When we asked the vendor to replace it, they whined about not being able to find fault with it. Whereupon my boss slammed it to the concrete floor, sending pieces in all directions, and said "Its broken. Replace it." The vendor replaced it. I wouldn't recommend anyone try that with a Leica though.

Thanks for taking the time to check, Andrew.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), July 02, 2001.


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