I haven't posted until now because it's just too obvious for me - as a dealer. Oh, there goes Joe, and there goes Steve to defend themselves and their interests.
Dealers always make arguments like "what about support", etc, etc. Been there, done that.
But EDP makes a good point - what if one knows exactly what one want to buy, doesn't feel they need any pre-support, maybe the dealer thinks they do, but they feel they don't. Should be their right to prove themselves correct.
And Joe makes a good point, many do not know exactly what they want, and dealers help educate about the choices.
But, the problem is...
While I can see where an end user would like at least the option to buy direct or from a dealer, it doesn't generally work out like that. Once a manufacturer goes direct, the dealers are done. And they have to be. If a manufacturer goes direct, they have to implement the infrastructure to provide sufficient pre and post sales and support. Why can't you just have both? Well, you could, but the direct to manufacturer route couldn't be priced lower than the dealer route, otherwise the dealers would bail. And support would tank, unless the manufacturer increased resources, which would increase prices...So, there wouldn't be a price advantage with the dealer and manufacturer both in the game and with only the manufacturer I don't believe there would be either.
Take Phase One as an example. If all their dealers went away, end user sales and support resources would need to be increased dramatically. And there is a substantial cost to this. And I don't think the savings to the end user would be that significant, if at all. Phase One relies on their dealers to help sell and support their products. They pay dealers a relatively modest amount for providing this service. Much of this amount (or even more) would have to be invested in their own infrastructure to maintain a high level of service. A 5% discount is scoffed at? Digital back margins have tumbled in recent years. A 5% discount is a significant block of profit given away. The guy that did 15%? I have no idea the level of service he offers nor the resources he maintains for those services, but you told him hey - here's a bluebird and 5% didn't get it done. Want a freebie? So, he did not make much, but he certainly didn't have to do much either, just take your money. How nice, good luck.
Another issue is one of product quality and support. We like to think that these products work as advertised and the only support you need is for when they break. Unfortunately, it is rarely so black and white.
Yesterday a thread was started on another forum about an issue of different color response with 2 different software versions. The manufacturer responded that they couldn't see any difference.
Today Dave Gallagher and I spent a LOT of time looking at images shot with a P40+, P45+, P65+. Between shooting them last night and reviewing and comparing them today we put in about 7 hours on just this one instance. We were noticing very interesting things about how differently each of them was handling scene detail and color under the same lighting conditions, exposures, white balance. The differences could easily prove critical to anyone considering purchasing these products.
As well intentioned as manufacturers may be (insert smiley face), if you prefer to go it alone and accept their judgement on whether you have a problem or not, whether a critical feature is implemented or not, whether a product is suitable or not for what you do, then my you do like stepping out on that tight rope alone.
I can tell you that no photographer I've ever met understands the differences between these products and how they operate as well as we do. No offense intended, but very very few photographers are as plugged in to what the current state of things are not just on competitive products but even their own product. On a daily basis we handle and compare current and up to date versions of these products and that knowledge is accumulated over years and years and generation upon generation. We know about differences you wouldn't even think to ask about. You want to rely on a manufacturer, who only gets paid when you buy his product, to tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about their product? How is their track record so far?
As a consumer, I like having options. But if it all went direct you wouldn't have any. You have options now. You have very good dealers, average dealers, and not so good dealers. Choose wisely.
When I saw this poll I expected it to be a slam dunk for going direct. I'm surprised that it has been more even. Perhaps experience is talking here?
Steve Hendrix