"David A. Mann" wrote:
> Otis Wright, Jr. writes:
> [...]
> > it will be interesting to see if the
> > Pentax 35 mm SLR line can successfully compete for sufficient capital within the
> > Asahi corporate framework to continue to generate 35 mm SLR products having
> > price/feature content that maintains their historical competitive position in
> > the marketplace.
>
> I certainly hope that Pentax's sales in the rest of the world doesn't follow
> what happened in this country. Good Pentax glass is currently the most
> expensive on the market here, and a quick scan of my price list shows the
> difference is not small. The FA50/1.7 is well over double the price of Canon
> and Nikon 50/1.8 lenses.
>
> Because of this (and other factors), there are very few serious Pentax users
> in this country. Pentax really needs to look at attracting new users to make
> up for those who have gone to the dark side. If they're only going to sell to
> their existing customers they won't last much longer.
>
> Cheers,
>
> - Dave
Dave, don't blame Pentax, the Japanese manufacturer. The price to the dealer of Pentax
equipment here is set by the
importer, Pentax USA. They are the ones who are pricing the goods out of reach. And
their contracts with dealers leave
much to be desired. Discount is based on volumes that can't be met in the SLR or P&S
business except by mass purchases of
stock by mail order and large chains. The low volume of the "Pro" shops prevent them
from being competitive against the
chains, so they don't bother ordering anything but one copy each of the 645 and the
67. Everything else is special order.
And there are no discounts.
When in a hurry on a trip to Costa Rico some years ago, I had to pay $490 plus tax for
my AF140C at Glazer's, when it was
$279 mail order from B&H or Adorama in New York, because they would overnight it to me
in San JosÈ after they received it
from Pentax, and New York would not. Even Ritz Camera would have been $399, special
order, pay in advance, no ship.
Fortunately, the job more than paid for it. And the reason? Margins. Everyone's price
was based on what they paid plus a
markup.
Pentax's US distributorship has to level the playing field for their cameras to be
more readily available, and at a
reasonable price. From seasoned salespeople in long established shops who know enough
to support you and your needs,
instead of art school graduates who are all Nikon or Canon pushers because the company
spiff favors them with $50 instead
of $10 per unit.
Blah Blah blah.
My 2 cents worth, with inflation and devaluation calculated in.
--
JoMac, Imagineering Head
Image * I * Nation, the creative division of RMG Services NW
\__/
"A fool and his money are soon parted."
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