Reading from the posts here, I noted that the prices of user leica gears (in US or UK) are much lower than here in Hong Kong. Given the price difference between new and s/h, I was forced to buy new. Any friends here in HK has any satisfying experience of buying user leica gears from the US or UK? I presume you must be buying from very reputable dealers or else it would be very risky. How you make your payment? Regards,

-- tom tong (tom.tong@ckh.com.hk), March 10, 2002

Answers

Tom,

I don't live in Hong Kong, but I have sold many Leica items on Ebay to buyers in Hong Kong. Shipping by USPS Airmail Parcel takes about 7 days and costs between $15.00-$30.00 depending on package size and insurance cost. All packages arrives safely and on time. As for the other way around, I do buy from Hong Kong because of cheaper prices, and item usually arrives in 5-7 days.Best payment I think is to use Paypal with a credit card.

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), March 11, 2002.

Tom;

Having done camera business in Hong Kong and other Asian cities, I conclude that no dealer wants to have anything to do with less than MINT or EXC ++ cameras or lenses, as it is assumed that these will be used/bought by collectors or those more concerned with looks than function. Thus very little "user" grade stuff winds up in stores.

I buy new stuff here in Singapore from a dealer who I trust and any "user" equipment I sell or buy only in N America. As noted above shiping is reasonable and can be limited to about $30 if one is prepared to wait a week or so.

The only dealer I trust for new stuff on this side of the Pacific is Gopes in Tanglin Shopping Centre in Singapore. (I just bought a N*k*n 45mm Black Pancake lens today from them and I had my convictions reinforced- the price was lower than any of the fancy places and they even know my name.)

There is also a shop in Seoul I trust, but do not know the name in English. It is one of three shops across the street from the Nam Dae Mun/South Gate.

Cheers

-- richard ilomaki (richard.ilomaki@f,mglobal.com), March 11, 2002.