Tony Rose above and beyond! [Archive]

boilerdoc2

12-25-2006, 16:20

I don't know what jeriman is referring to but Tony shipped a new M8 overnight this past Friday (got it Saturday noon). He could have waited until after Christmas to fool with it but he, and Josh, got in touch with me and made it happen. I've been happy all weekend. Popflash has more than earned my loyalty! Now, if he can match the 30% discount on a new lens.....?
Steve

jamriman

12-25-2006, 17:27

Will further explain as the M8 dust settles. Answers my emails and calls me on X-mas to discuss details. Unmatched service.

peter_n

12-26-2006, 07:12

He is a great bloke, no question. He called me just before Christmas in response to a too quick email I sent. I send business his way whenever I can because he looks after his customers so well. I try to do the same in my own business so I really do appreciate his efforts. In my case it pays off in client loyalty and I bet it does with Tony too.

Robert

12-26-2006, 08:57

It's nice to hear about very helpful dealers who are really interested in their customers.

marco_rol

12-26-2006, 16:51

Add me to the list of very satisfied customers. Josh called me unexpectedly last Tuesday and informed me that he had an M8 with my name on it and it would arrive via Fed Ex on Friday. After I told him to go ahead and ship, I realized that we would be leaving by 10am on Friday for the Christmas holiday and I would not be available to accept delivery. A quick call to Josh and he changed it to 2-day delivery (this is after it had already been shipped mind you) and I had my new M8 Thursday to take with me on holiday. Tony and Josh are best.

boilerdoc2

12-26-2006, 18:13

Those guys are burning the midnight oil! Changed shipping AFTER it had left the shop?! Amazing.
Steve

haagen_dazs

12-27-2006, 12:21

the question is, did you guys have to pay for all that express shipping at your expense?

Andrew Touchon

12-27-2006, 12:57

the question is, did you guys have to pay for all that express shipping at your expense?

I think you missed the point. Tony provides consistently outstanding service. Why give a second thought about a few dollars in shipping charges on a $5,000.00 camera? I bet Tony ate the slight increase in shipping charges. That's the type of guy he is.

endustry

12-27-2006, 13:28

I bought a used 24mm Elmarit ASPH from Tony that was cosmetically fine but turned out to have a vignetting issue. After posting samples here, I was encouraged to contact him about a replacement. (Keep in mind this was two months after I purchased the lens.) Not only did he take the lens back, he had his distro drop-ship a replacement to me a day later (one with no vignetting issues.)

Tony Rose is a total class act. So is Stephen Gandy.

stephen.s1

12-27-2006, 16:31

So, where is this guy (TR) located?

Steve (wondering if he's got a black M8)

endustry

12-27-2006, 16:40

He's located in Southern California. www.popflash.com

The last I heard, Tony had a black M8 that still needed to be upgraded by Solms. Dunno if he still has it or not.

jamriman

12-27-2006, 17:40

Thats the one I traded my silver upgraded one for. No problem for me, NJ is a state away for the upgrade!

Ben Z

12-29-2006, 10:18

Thats the one I traded my silver upgraded one for. No problem for me, NJ is a state away for the upgrade!

But how far away is NJ from Germany? That's where it has to go for the upgrade.

Flyfisher Tom

12-29-2006, 10:31

Tony and his crew have customer service down to an art form ... another BIG thumbs up from this customer as well :)

John Shriver

12-29-2006, 16:58

I've only bought a used Gossen Luna-Pro case off Tony's classified ad here, but it was a perfect transaction. A class act, and my favorite meter has a comfy home.

BigSteveG

12-29-2006, 17:03

C'mon guys.....the noses are getting a little brown around here.....

Kyle

12-29-2006, 17:10

C'mon guys.....the noses are getting a little brown around here.....

Have you ever bought from Popflash? Tony and crew really are top notch. When you're buying hundreds, or even thousands of dollars worth of camera gear, you want to make sure you know where your money is going. These people are just letting others know that Tony is one of the good guys. Buying from Popflash is a totally different experience than buying from some place like B&H. Don't get me wrong, B&H has never really given me any trouble, but you simply don't get the customer service you get from Popflash.

MP Guy

12-29-2006, 17:44

stevenrk

12-29-2006, 23:33

Howmany shops gave their customers the chance to swap M8's for updated ones so that you do not have to send it to Germany and wait for a fix? I'm sure some have but Tony could have sold more M8' but decided to provide the best customer service possible.

Dito. I was one of those who returned the M8. The service was as top notch, courteous and honorable on the return as on the purchase. Special group of people who took the hit rather than pass it on to the customer. You don't find that very often these days.

AlaBill

12-31-2006, 06:43

I found a M8 from B&H last week but called Tony for lens advise. Bought a couple from him. Absolutely GREAT SERVICE.

Even thought I did not buy lthe M8 from him he said call him with questions and he would help solve any M8 problem. That's almost unbelievable service.

Plus you talk to a actual person.

Bill

Ben Z

12-31-2006, 14:23

Howmany shops gave their customers the chance to swap M8's for updated ones so that you do not have to send it to Germany and wait for a fix? I'm sure some have but Tony could have sold more M8' but decided to provide the best customer service possible.

Explain me something...since there are only so many M8s coming in, how would this shop swap updated ones to the early-adopters without, um, screwing some customers who purposely put their orders in later to avoid being an early adopter? If they managed to pull it off somehow then by all means nominate them for sainthood. But to me an early-adopter takes a certain risk knowingly and I would not buy from a place that would knock me back in line to make life easier for someone with no patience. Just MHO.

Grober

12-31-2006, 14:32

More praise for Tony and his colleagues: earlier this month I queried them about the availability of B+W IR cut filters. "None in stock now but we'll let you know when we have them again," quoth he.

Friday I received a phone call that they had just received a new supply. I promptly purchased two different sizes to complement the two already promised from Leica. Within the hour I also had an e-mail confirming the purchase. I should have these two purchased filters just before my M8 flies home from its quick trip to Germany for a re-fit.

Simple, direct and personal service. Would that Leica in Germany and New Jersey might learn something from this dealer!

-g

herbkell@shaw.c

01-03-2007, 12:49

Explain me something...since there are only so many M8s coming in, how would this shop swap updated ones to the early-adopters without, um, screwing some customers who purposely put their orders in later to avoid being an early adopter? If they managed to pull it off somehow then by all means nominate them for sainthood. But to me an early-adopter takes a certain risk knowingly and I would not buy from a place that would knock me back in line to make life easier for someone with no patience. Just MHO.

This issue has had lot's of play on another forum and almost eveybody has praised Popflash's decision to take back the cameras and sell them as "used" to other folks taking the loss themselves. This includes people who were left waiting in line.

I think it's very far fetched to think that people knowingly put in t heir names a bit later to avoid the first cameras. There was a mad scramble to get on lists and no one knew how many cameras would be in the first allocation. Popflash and other dealers got less than they were anticipating so it was not at all scientific

I suspect Tony's action has generated him lots of loyal customers but obviously he won't please everyone. There are many other choices of places to buy your gear from but (even aside from this issue) I can honestly say I have never had a better customer service than I have from Popflash. Unfortunately people like Tony are a rarity in today's world.

steve garza

01-03-2007, 13:03

Have you ever bought from Popflash? Tony and crew really are top notch. When you're buying hundreds, or even thousands of dollars worth of camera gear, you want to make sure you know where your money is going. These people are just letting others know that Tony is one of the good guys. Buying from Popflash is a totally different experience than buying from some place like B&H. Don't get me wrong, B&H has never really given me any trouble, but you simply don't get the customer service you get from Popflash.

Yes....I have purchased from Tony. His service is great. Sometimes it's just a bit much. I'm only trying to put things in perspective. Let's not lose sight of the important thing: Making images. Other than that, Popflash is my favorite Leica dealer.

Sailor Ted

01-03-2007, 13:30

I needed a lens for an R-D1s a few days before flying to Hong Kong. I called Tony and left a message late on a Friday explaining my need for haste. The next day (Saturday) he called me and took my order. The following Monday it arrived along with a few other things I needed. In fact Tony got me my lens and accessories faster then an importer for Leica M gear and is much easier to deal with when you have questions. He is truly a great friend to anyone in need of the products he sells. Later when he posted here on RFf that he had a few M8's in stock (Dec. 23rd and a Saturday no less) I called him and he shipped my camera that Saturday and I got it the day after Christmas- what a guy!

Robert White also shipped my new R-D1s from England also in time for me to take it to Hong Kong. Two great retailers in a small niche market- I hope they clean up!

Stieglitz

01-08-2007, 15:19

I just had a transaction where Tony really went out of his way to have a very satisfied customer. I had heard of all these legendary stories but he really went far beyond virtually all other dealers. I will go out of my way to do business with him in the future, and I would urge others to do so as well.

Flyfisher Tom

01-08-2007, 15:27

I suspect Tony's action has generated him lots of loyal customers but obviously he won't please everyone. There are many other choices of places to buy your gear from but (even aside from this issue) I can honestly say I have never had a better customer service than I have from Popflash. Unfortunately people like Tony are a rarity in today's world.

I agree ... building business goodwill is worth it in the end.

Gabriel M.A.

01-08-2007, 17:11

Explain me something...since there are only so many M8s coming in, how would this shop swap updated ones to the early-adopters without, um, screwing some customers who purposely put their orders in later to avoid being an early adopter? If they managed to pull it off somehow then by all means nominate them for sainthood. But to me an early-adopter takes a certain risk knowingly and I would not buy from a place that would knock me back in line to make life easier for someone with no patience. Just MHO.
I'm one of the few (I hope) that got the short end of the stick. I'm still waiting for mine; I got on the second allocation, and that was one of the reasons. Mine's paid for. I had to hear second-hand about opportunities to get available cameras.

He let me know this past weekend that mine should be coming soon, that is, if Leica ships them. I am hoping that's the case. He's a great guy. I have yet to get my M8 on my hands, though.

And I'm going abroad in about three weeks. Patience? You betcha. They say it pays off.

summilux

01-08-2007, 17:47

tony's service is very fast, his email response almost instant, i ordered a MP3 set from him recently, but i have bad luck because there is a crack in the rangefinder patch, yes, a crack, do you believe that? the screw on the leicavit is also loose. I doubt very much QC still exists in Solms.:bang:

drjon

01-09-2007, 04:45

I would like to endorse the positive remarks related to Tony Rose and PopFlash based on my recent experience; fast and efficient service, especially in response to emails.

Turtle

01-10-2007, 11:25

Tony is great I agree. Makes the mail order/internet experience far more agreeable! I also agree about Robert White in my native UK. V effficient.

Tom

GeoffL0505

01-13-2007, 08:45

Sorry this is a little late but would like to add my name to the many satisfied customers

EotyLMB

01-18-2007, 16:43

This is my first post on the forum so I may make a mistake.

I would like to extend my kudos to Tony Rose. I first became aware of Tony a year or so ago when I was looking for a Ricoh GR-d. I called his office, got a recorder, did not leave a message. It was Saturday afternoon. Ten minutes later my phone rang. It was Tony. He wanted to "know if he could help me!" I bought the GR-d. Tony shipped it that day and I received it Monday!

I just ordered a new 35mm f1.4 for my M8 today. Tony again exceeded my expectations.

The are few traffic jams on the extra mile and Tony gets my "extra Mile" award!

LMB

peter_n

01-18-2007, 17:40

Welcome to the forum LMB! :) I just ordered a lens from Tony yesterday and I've been subjected to the usual blizzard of emails; order conf., receipt, shipping info etc. I'm left idly wondering if the lens will arrive by the weekend... Thanks Tony & Alex for the help and info this week!

Sailor Ted

01-18-2007, 18:42

I just ordered a new 35mm f1.4 for my M8 today. Tony again exceeded my expectations.

Damn was that the chrome or the black version? : )

PS. I have had the same experience from Tony- be it Leica, Zeiss or CV, Tony always delivers service above and way beyond any and all other vendors IMO.

Ted

back alley

01-18-2007, 18:49

subtle, ted...

joe

Sailor Ted

01-18-2007, 19:13

Well I have purchased many things from different camera/lens vendors (see my signature below) and there is a vast difference between the service I always get from Tony and the others (save Robert White- great guy.)

back alley

01-18-2007, 19:16

like i said, subtle.

joe

Sailor Ted

01-18-2007, 19:25

Joe,
Perhaps we should tone down our honest and heart felt praise?

Huh?,
Ted

back alley

01-18-2007, 19:52

praise away, i also think tony is great, as is his customer service.

joe

RFNewbie

01-18-2007, 20:25

Reading this forum about Tony Rose, I decided to check out his site and before you know it, I saw 4 items that I wanted. So I called them and asked a few questions about the condition of the lens and some other items. They are so helpful. Never felt rushed like most mail order places. I would say they are better than any of the local camera shops that I have visited. Without hesitation, I would buy from them again. This forum is absolutely correct about their customer service. Great guys.