Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/09/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Don-- Good points. -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+leicagalpal=earthlink.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+leicagalpal=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Don Dory Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2004 1:44 PM To: 'Leica Users Group' Subject: RE: [Leica] Leica donation to students 1) Leica is being true to its workers and staying in Europe. This has a large price tag as the Euro has appreciated. The price increases for Leica goods have more to do with currency fluctuation than any increase in quality. This is one reason the Contax G system is relatively cheap; it is made in Asia. [The Euro/Dollar exchange has been largely responsible for the price increases in the last year. At the same time, Leica must figure out a way to anticipate these kinds of changes and balance them against costs, however that happens. Such a price increase has pushed the camera further into the privileged, elite, status category, by virtue of price.] 2) Leica has been relatively starved for development funds since the seventies so bringing out something new is pretty hard. Remember, the microscopes and other scientific items were split off almost thirty years ago so there is no other part of the company to carry water for a money losing part. [Digital is starting to do this, though built in Asia.] 3) When we talk about expensive, I think that we are talking relative values. People think that $4000 is too much to pay for a body and lens that will last a lifetime. An added bonus is that the combination could be sold for more than 50% of cost. At the same time the same person will not bat an eye about paying $1200 or so for an IMac that will be obsolete in three to five years. Ipods cost how much for a super CD player? [$4000 is still $4000, and $1200 is $1200; its easier to spend the latter rather than the former, if you are cash-strapped; comparing the two isn't relevant, as they don't do the same thing. Comparing a $1200 Nikon or Olympus or Canon to a $4000 Leica outfit is a more apt comparison. Thing is, most people have a computer AND a camera/lens combo, so the outlay is even greater, cumulatively speaking.] 4) This is really about perceptions of what cameras should cost. You can buy a Nikon N75 for what $239? A decent P/S digital can be had for $249. So when you say a camera costs $4000 you do have to justify why. [If your Leica market has been paying $1800 for a body in one year, say 2002 (M6TTL) and the comparable replacement costs $2895 two years later, you are peeling off a significant chunk of your target market.] 5) Leica typically does not SPIF its products so in most camera stores the sales staff will not pick up a Leica and in fact will try to steer a customer to a model that pays her/him more. [They are spiffing these days. A new policy. Not much, but some.] 6) Leica long ago lost its dedicated account managers so no one is really out there selling the merits of the camera. [There are regional managers for each territory/region. I have two managers for the Southwest region--Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, West Texas, and Arizona.] 7) For Leica to survive, enough new people need to see the tool as something vital to their artistic needs. The real question, is how do new potential users find out about the virtues of Leica cameras. [Exactly. A new marketing campaign would help. Creative ideas like putting used models into the hands of students is one idea. Getting the word out on Leica in whatever way possible is absolutely critical.] 8) Leica should provide (loaners) to college students and or people who inquire. These could be scratch and dent models that have been replace under warranty, cosmetic rejects, whatever. For some people, the unique tool that is Leica will sell itself once it is used. [Ditto for item 7.] Sorry for the length. [No apology necessary; it makes a great deal of sense.] Don dorysrus@mindspring.com -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Philippe Orlent Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2004 12:42 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica donation to students _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information