[Leica] Should Leica Follow IBM?

["S London" <srlondon@yahoo.com>]

Perhaps rather than replacing the existing dealer infrastructure, Leica 
should open an additional sales channel on the internet.  Those who would
like to touch and feel the equipment before buying could do so, and those
who have already made up their minds could just place their order via
computer.  Leica would at least have a higher profit margin on some sales.

I think that in some senses, the camera business is more suited to the
typical brick-and-mortar sales model simply because I doubt that a highly
traditional segment of the photo market has sufficient internet penetration
for e-business only distribution as compared to computer sales.

- ----------
>From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us (Leica Users digest)
>To: leica-users-digest@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>Subject: Leica Users digest V12 #83
>Date: Wed, Oct 20, 1999, 5:48 PM
>

>
> Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 14:42:18 -0700
> From: Stephen <cameras@jetlink.net>
> Subject: [Leica] Should Leica Follow IBM?
>
> According to an article in today's LA Times,  IBM is ending distribution of
> its APTIVA PC line through retail stores.  Instead, they will sell them only
> on the internet -- like Dell and Gateway.
>
> I can't help but wonder what it would be like if Leica did the same thing.
>
> Today's  localized distribution center / sales rep / local dealer network is
> a dinosaur from Leica's 1930's sales network.
>
> Suppose all the overhead of distribution centers, sales reps, and dealer
> profits were eliminated.
>