I am in the UK; if I buy a Leica (new) from a US dealer who sends it to me what is the positions re:

1. Tax; 2. Guarantee.

I really would be grateful for knowledgeable responses.

Thanks.

-- PD (pd100@hotmail.com), December 01, 2001

Answers

Tax: That's on your end of the game, you'll have to pay whatever import duties are required.

Guarantee: Different sales outlets will provide guarantee and warranty service in different ways. The manufacturer's warranty stipulations also have to be adhered to. So it is in your best interest to inquire about this specifically with the vendor and your official local distributor for Leica.

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), December 01, 2001.

If it is a Leica NJ import, then it would come with a three year passport warranty (extra coverage, almost like insurance) which would only be good in the USA. It also comes with a two year international warranty which any distributor worldwide will honour. Remember that top priority will be given to their own customers first. If you buy greymarket then you will have to send it back to the people you bought it from or to Leica Solms. Any of the distributors will charge you the cost of repairs.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), December 01, 2001.

Perhaps a US contributor can tell us the typical official M TTL price from a respected Leica dealer. Here in the UK Leica UK have a current offer of the M TTL with free SF20 flash (including Passport of course). Typical official dealer price is around £1550 (US $2250).

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), December 02, 2001.

U.S. price via Leica USA (not gray) for .72x body-only is $1995 less $200 rebate (mail-in). Rebate offer ends Dec. 31, 2001, and may not be a factor unless someone IN the US buys and registers it for you. At "Leica Days" where the rep shows up there is usually a 10% discount up front.

Denver has had 3 "Leica Days" in the past 4 months. This past Saturday (12/1) afternoon I could have bought an M6 TTL .72 for $1595 with US Passport warranty, had I wanted.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), December 02, 2001.

Well, that once more highlights the fantastic deal US consumers get! Typically cars, cameras, electronics, bikes etc are always £'s for $'s. Meaning UK and European consumers pay nearly 50% more for goods. As here US Leica M=$1595, UK Leica M=£1550 (including an unwanted flash!).

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), December 02, 2001.

Hi, I live in France and bought my M6 TTL from a US dealer. I received it via express mail and had no taxes to pay. I paid mine $1600. The trade-off might be the lack of a year guarantee in France. Zacharie

-- Zacharie Dindar (dindar@ccr.jussieu.fr), December 02, 2001.

Don't be mislead by the fact the Zacharie didn't have to pay taxes. It all depends on the courier/postal service used and their accuracy in clearing their shipments through customs. Some are very just not doing it, mostly the postal service, and just deliver the goods. The bad thing is that you cannot rely on them 'forgetting' to clear it. Should you choose a integrator such as DHL/FEDEX/UPS you can forget about them not clearing it and you will have to add the import duties, VAT and the shipping cost to your purchasing price. Also keep in mind that you have to pay VAT on your import duties and shipping as well. Thus your price will be ((PURCHASING PRICE * IMPORT DUTIES) + SHIPPING CHARGES ) * VAT = YOUR PRICE.

Usualy by the time you add all that, your benefit from buying overseas is gone....

Also keep in mind that the same applies to second hand (ebay) camera's. Your best bet, go over there yourself and buy second hand locally. Second best, use the postal services.

-- Bas Wip (bas@baswip.com), December 02, 2001.

From personal experiences, I second what Bas writes.
Besides possible warranty issues, also remember that if you get a bad sample and need to have it replaced -the added shipping will likely eat up everything you have possibly saved,, plus you may have to fight with the customs in order not to have your replacement item taxed once again.
If you choose to go this route, make absolutely sure you buy from a honest dealer. Although I have not been in the situation myself, I can vividly imagine the nightmare it must be to buy from one of the crooks mentioned on photo.net (and multiply the agony by X if you have to fight them from abroad).

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), December 03, 2001.