Any experiences or recommendations regarding purchasing leica equipment from ebay dealers operating out of Hong Kong?

-- mark (mramra@qwest.net), September 09, 2001

Answers

Mark;

I have bought lenses and an M6 in Hong Kong and regretted it less than a year later.

I bought thestuff new from an authorized dealer and then when a lens fogged over less than a year later, the distributor, Schmidt, refused to acknowledge anything to do with it, as I had bought the lens in hong Kong, but was living in Singapore, even tho the distributor was the same. I was furious!!!

I was so furious, I sold the M6 outfit and bought a Konica Hexar, and have NOT regretted that. I have since bought another M6 and a lens, but used and not from a Leica dealer, knowing that I am on my own.

If you want, or are expecting a warrantee of any kind, do not buy any Leica stuff from anywhere but where you live, UNLESS it comes with a written, world-wide guarantee, just as the Konica did, and just as my Nikon FM3a did recently. If you buy it as is, or used, then it is the same as anywhere else, except it may be a bit of a hassle importing it with duties on entry etc.

My experince after living in Asia for a few years-unless one lives here as a permanent resident, the savings are illusory. Duties on entry-at least into Canada for me- are a pain. Since I have lived outside Canada for years, I can bring used stuff back in with no hassles, but as a tourist, or by mail-order-it may not be easy.

Most digital cameras come with warantees good only in the country of original purchase, as the software packages are different. Caveat Emptor!!!

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richardjx@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

I was the original wide-eyed boy from Oz in HK amonth or so ago. I looked at an M6 in a sealed pack in a "You lucky customer" shop in Kowloon. Because it was in the window in full sun, I could see the condensation inside the sealed(?) plastic bag. I guess that this same condensation would have been corroding the working parts and assisting lens fungus. I gave it a miss. Peter

-- Peter Phillips (peterph@senet.com.au), September 10, 2001.

I purchased a 21mm ASPH lens on Ebay from Mr. Poon Hung Lok who goes by the Ebay name of "etefore". I have nothing but good things to say of my experience. The 21 is perfect in every way. Mr. Poon was responsive and I would buy from him again without hesitation.

-- David (pagedt@attglobal.net), September 10, 2001.

I don't believe it a wise choice to purchase anything, Leica or otherwise, in a foreign country. I purchase everything from a handful of local dealers who know me personally and with whom I often accompany on photo excursions. It is important to establish a good relationship with professional dealers since, at least in my experience, they have been more than fair and very helpful when quesioned about a potential purchase. Their technical knowledge is much appreciated.I also do not think it wise to purchase "grey market" items.

-- John Alfred Tropiano (jat18@psu.edu), September 10, 2001.

I went to Hong Kong and was seeing the sights and decided to purchase a Nikkor 28 f2.8AIS, I knew what to look for (ie proper international warranty etc) well I had to go to 27 thats right 27 different dealers before I found a dealer that had the genuine article with the correct warranty. My father reminds me of the number of dealers to this day as I dragged him with me when he wanted to be seeing the sights! Most problems included fake warranty slips with no watermark, one dealer offered me a 3.5 that said it was a 2.8 on the front ring! They will try anything on over there and get very angry when you catch them out! The dealer I purchased from strangely enough was the most expensive. If you know what your looking for and have the time you can save but over the internet with all the crooked dealers I met, i wouldnt risk it, buy locally and you wont worry yourself sick wondering if your lens is the real deal for the rest of your life. The genuine article should last you for life.

-- Joel Matherson (joel_2000@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

Yes, there are a lot of marginal and downright dishonest camera dealers in Hong Kong but if you are discerning, you can tell them in an instant. Look at their stock; if they don't have any, look further. I have made many purchases (Leica, Nikon, Hasselblad, Rollei) over the past fifteen years and have NEVER been disappointed! I know only Kowloon and Poon is not only familiar but thoroughly honest as are Dr. Joselh Yao, K. M. Chin and Francissco of a camera shop of the same name. Francisco and Chin are related and their shops are next to each other behind the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Nathan Way -- - They are both on Lock Road (#16 for Chin). Dr. Yao is the best for Leica and he may be reached at
-- Bill Carson (KE7GMx@cs.com), September 10, 2001.

Dr. Yao's eMail address was cut off: . Give him a call! Bill

-- Bill Carson (KE7GMx@cs.com), September 10, 2001.

I currently live in Hong Kong and I have no problems buying Leicas here. When I used to live near New York City I avoided all those big neon dealers the same way I avoid all those similar places here in HK. Just do a little research and shop where the locals shop. As for ebay dealers I have seen many of these auctions and they seem fine.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), September 10, 2001.

I also do not think it wise to purchase "grey market" items.

Why not? I have bought almost all my camera gear that I purchased new grey market. I have yet to have a problem. Last year I saved about $400 by buying a Leica 35mm lens from Tamarkin grey market. I expect that if anything happened, they would hold up their end of the bargain.

I feel strongly that I should buy grey market when companies block warranty service on grey market goods. It's a worldwide economy these days, and you can bet that Leica buys raw materials in the country that offers the best price for any given item. Why should consumers be forced to live with terms Leica would never accept?

Konica's policies in this respect should be commended. Konica USA was willing to service a product never sold in the US (at the time), a black Hexar AF with date back, but it turned out it was a problem understanding the (truly terribly written) manual.

Never been to Hong Kong, sorry...

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), September 10, 2001.

Dear Richard,

I live in Hong Kong and purchase Leica lens in HK. Schmidt Marketing offers 2 year warranty in Hong Kong. In Singapore I believe the distributor/service center is Jebsen and Jesson, not Schmidt.

Please find below the authorized Leica dealers in HK. There is even a price list for all lenses if you look around their web page. Street price is around 75-80%% of the listed price.

http://www.schmidtmarketing.com/CGI-bin/Dealer.asp?DV=PHD&CO=SPA&PS=PH

In the humid environment in South East Asia such as HK and Singapore, it is a good idea to have a humidity controlled dry cabinet for storage when you are not using the cameras and lenses.

-- Damond Lam (damond_lam@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

See here for tips on camera shopping in Hong Kong: http://www.bubb achan.com/photoshopHK/shophk.htm. For Leica gear, I've shopped at Kinefoto and Man Shing (sister shop of Wing Shing, but only Man Shing carries Leica equipment) with no problem (these shops are mentioned in the webpage). For grey-market stuff, try Tin Cheung (see: http://www.tincheungcamera.co m.hk).

-- Lee Ho Yin (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), September 15, 2001.