James, you are bringing up some very valid points about having more info available on the web.
However there is a world of difference between selling a camera system online in US only (or to put it bluntly, TRYING to sell a camera system online), and selling through a chain of more than 100 qualified dealers world-wide, in local currencies, local languages etc.
A local dealer knows the market better than the manufacturer will ever be able to, in terms of specific needs, trends, economics and so on.
A local dealer can come to your studio to demonstrate the product, leave you with a copy of the software and with raw files, a quote and a phone number
A local dealer can lend you a camera, or let you rent one for a shoot, to try it out
A local dealer can come in when something breaks down, be it the back, the camera , the computer or the software
A local dealer can offer a back-up or a loan unit while your camera goes in for repair
A local dealer can pick up the phone on Saturday night while you're in a middle of a shoot to try and work out a problem with the kit
A local dealer can sell you a Mac, a monitor, a bag, CF cards, spare cables etc. and maybe offer you a discount since you're buying a bundle.
On top of that, we offer trade-ins and refurb facilities, as well as extended warranties...again in the local language+currency.
We also have specific pricing policies for schools and rentals that involve with installations and training seminars.
We do try to use as many "standard" items as possible. So if you need an extra charger, cable or battery, you are able to buy them online anywhere, most likely cheaper and whenever, wherever you need them.
I guess you can understand what I am trying to say. The web is a wonderful tool for many things, but unfortunately (or fortunately, pick your side...) there are many things it is still not so great at...
Saying that, I fully agree that there's room for improvement and if you you've been following our site for the last 1-2 years, I believe that you've seen the changes taking place. There's definitely room for improvement on the dealers part as well, which we constantly work on.
Thanks
Yair
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Yair,
It really doesn't matter to me how any company sells there cameras, but don't think for a moment that there isn't a need for more cohesive and accurate information from the makers of these products.
The goodness or useability of the Red really has nothing to do with what I showed for comparision, but the goodness and useability of thier website does set a standard for how a manufacturer can get information out.
We've had this disucssion before, but I suggest any manufacturer get a Yahoo account with a fake name like Zsar Guidonoria Photography and send a comprehensive e-mail out for price quotes, delivery times and
exact availability of product and do this with every dealer and see what the response is.
Then once you take delivery of the product, make an emergency call to the dealer at 4:55pm and say my screen has red pixelated blobs on it and see what the response is.
I think the results will suprise you and not in a good way.
There are some good dealers, (mostly in Atlanta), but being local usualy means nothing unless your in NY and even then the local thing just usually means the price is higher because the dealer assumes your in his/her territory and have no other options.
Whether I call Atlanta, Boston, or Iceland for information or a fix really changes nothing in my world as I (and many others) spend half our lives somewhere else anyway.
The fact that Leaf works with schools or gives priority to rental may be good for Leaf (or any manufacturer) but does little for the individual buyer, unless they are a photographer whos kid goes to Art Center and they rent all thier backups from a dealer.
JR
