M9 Grey Finish issues?

[carstenw]

It is so cheap that I am suspicious. I was also quoted way above €100 for a base plate (I ended up buying a second-hand one in near-perfect condition for €140), and the top plate is in another league for complexity. I wonder if there was some price-cutting or something going on? I should ask my dealer to find a cost on a top plate for me. I mean, the thing is milled from solid brass, nickel-plated and then chromed. How could they do that for €260?

 

[jonoslack]

It is so cheap that I am suspicious. I was also quoted way above €100 for a base plate (I ended up buying a second-hand one in near-perfect condition for €140), and the top plate is in another league for complexity. I wonder if there was some price-cutting or something going on? I should ask my dealer to find a cost on a top plate for me. I mean, the thing is milled from solid brass, nickel-plated and then chromed. How could they do that for €260?

Well, easily I'd guess . . . if they were making thousands.

 

[carstenw]

Yes, but in contrast with the base plate it makes no sense...

 

[Knorp]

It is so cheap that I am suspicious. I was also quoted way above €100 for a base plate (I ended up buying a second-hand one in near-perfect condition for €140), and the top plate is in another league for complexity. I wonder if there was some price-cutting or something going on? I should ask my dealer to find a cost on a top plate for me. I mean, the thing is milled from solid brass, nickel-plated and then chromed. How could they do that for €260?

Carsten, don't no about price-cutting or something else going on, perhaps they felt sorry for me and of course I'm very humble and polite, too :angel:
Anyway, adding 19% tax makes €305,32 for the top/cover plate.

 

[GrahamWelland]

Folks, an important lesson in life is not confusing selling price with cost ...

With respect to the M9, I suspect we'll look back at the paint vs chrome issue as Leica penny pinching - particularly when considered against what looks like being a sales bonanza for Leica at the moment (well, it would be if they could ship them ...).

(Btw, I'll draw an automotive analogy with another German company: In 2000 I bought a new Porsche 911 convertible - it came with interior switch gear that would have put a cheap & nasty compact car to shame. Mechanically and dynamically the car was wonderful and a big step up from the 993 IMHO but the interior was a SIGNIFICANT step backwards. It took Porsche a couple of years to get the message that penny pinching loses sales - they eventually sorted this out but I had a couple of similar enthusiasts who wouldn't buy an early 996 because of this alone).