[Leica] Should Leica sell direct to customers?

[driggett at mac.com (Christopher Driggett)]

Rick,
        This model may hit everybody in the manufacturing industry.. Look at 
the amazon and online christmas buying of the last three seasons. There 
  is one caveat though.  If I am going to spend a chunk of money on 
anything I want to try it out first!  I did this with the purchase of 
the Epson R-D1.  I read the so-so reviews and nobody had it local to 
me. I had to drive to SF (40 minute drive no rush hour) to try it out. 
Boy, once I did I fell in love with it more so that the Leica m7.  What 
we really need is show case stores in every city where you can go out 
and try out the merchandise before buying it online. Gateway did this 
with out much success because once people were in the store they wanted 
to have it now not in 3 - 5 days. I plead with manufactures please keep 
a knowledgeable store or showcase store within driving distance. A 
place where I can go and ask questions and do the touchy feely to new 
gear.
Thanks,
Chris

On Mar 14, 2005, at 5:16 PM, Rick Dykstra wrote:

> Its a global village.  The internet will eventually break down 
> traditional retailing models.  Would it make sense for Leica to sell 
> directly to its customers over the web?  They could charge less than 
> customers are used to, but make more.  The first manufacturers in 
> their field to do this will have a jump on their competitors, who will 
> follow.  Prices will then normalise at a new lower range.
>
> What is the point of a retailer for products like these?  To snare new 
> customers to the brand?  To catch those well heeled impulse buyers?  
> Retailers hardly ever have what Leica customers want in stock, and 
> what they do have may have been played with, dropped, sold and 
> returned, ... who knows?
>
> Perhaps all Leica have to do is unleash their importers or major 
> retailers so that we can shop for new items from all over the world, 
> as we do already for second hand or new gear at 'that place'.
>
> So what am I missing?  Repairs?  Easy - have a repair shop in each 
> major country.
>
> Rick.
>
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