etc
Well-known member
There are a lot of 'Alpha' binoculars on Ebay (US version), most of them are used but many are "NIB". They are usually sold at a huge discount of at least 25% versus retail store prices. Leica Ultravids between $1100 - $1400. Swarovski goes for more but still substantially less than store prices.
The problem with online shopping is, Leica and Swarovski do not provide their warranty unless the item is bought at an authorized dealer. Even if the item is New-In-Box. This explains why a new Leica 10x50 Ultravid that sells for $1900 in a retail store (in US anyway) often goes for $1350 or so on Ebay, new. The price difference is astounding at times.
In addition to resellers, it seems there are a lot of sellers who bought an alpha bin, played with it for a few weekends, decided they didn't like it, and put it on Ebay as "new". So sometimes the definition of "new" is stretched a bit. It too doesn't come with a warranty and is in the best case Like-New-In-box. Neither Leica nor Swarovski will transfer the warranty. I am not sure they will recognize it even if the warranty card was not filled out by the previous owner. It has to be sent in within 30 days, what happens if the item was bought months ago? I heard Zeiss can transfer the warranty but not sure of the terms. Some comments or actual experiences here would be most helpful.
Then there is the gray market stuff in its own category. As far as I understand, it has some warranty but an inferior warranty to the real thing. It may be restricted or have a shorter duration.
I think short term, buying a NIB but without warranty from a non-authorized seller alpha binos is a good deal, (also buying used is often a good deal) but if keeping it for years, decades maybe, paying a few hundred for a new unit at an authorized store that provides warranty may make more sense. A warranty-less item may need some work eventually and even one major repair will wipe out all the initial savings. I gambled with the Leica I got online, it was used but I figured the design is so bulletproof that it's not likely to break.
The problem with online shopping is, Leica and Swarovski do not provide their warranty unless the item is bought at an authorized dealer. Even if the item is New-In-Box. This explains why a new Leica 10x50 Ultravid that sells for $1900 in a retail store (in US anyway) often goes for $1350 or so on Ebay, new. The price difference is astounding at times.
In addition to resellers, it seems there are a lot of sellers who bought an alpha bin, played with it for a few weekends, decided they didn't like it, and put it on Ebay as "new". So sometimes the definition of "new" is stretched a bit. It too doesn't come with a warranty and is in the best case Like-New-In-box. Neither Leica nor Swarovski will transfer the warranty. I am not sure they will recognize it even if the warranty card was not filled out by the previous owner. It has to be sent in within 30 days, what happens if the item was bought months ago? I heard Zeiss can transfer the warranty but not sure of the terms. Some comments or actual experiences here would be most helpful.
Then there is the gray market stuff in its own category. As far as I understand, it has some warranty but an inferior warranty to the real thing. It may be restricted or have a shorter duration.
I think short term, buying a NIB but without warranty from a non-authorized seller alpha binos is a good deal, (also buying used is often a good deal) but if keeping it for years, decades maybe, paying a few hundred for a new unit at an authorized store that provides warranty may make more sense. A warranty-less item may need some work eventually and even one major repair will wipe out all the initial savings. I gambled with the Leica I got online, it was used but I figured the design is so bulletproof that it's not likely to break.
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