Pentax & dealers

Nass · 11-04-2009, 07:29 AM

I saw an interesting bit of news yesterday that Pentax has signed agreements with Digital River to set up a slew of web purchasing portals. There's been an interesting response to it here, which seems to indicate that there maybe a reaction by dealers against this.

I find all this quite interesting - I get the feeling that Pentax is making many strategic decisions which will not be popular with the traditional Pentax consumer or afficionado, but which might make the difference between its survival in the new digital age or it increasingly being an ossified, niche brand.

*dnaseigel* · 11-04-2009, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Nass

I saw an interesting bit of news yesterday that Pentax has signed agreements with Digital River to set up a slew of web purchasing portals. There's been an interesting response to it here, which seems to indicate that there maybe a reaction by dealers against this.

I find all this quite interesting - I get the feeling that Pentax is making many strategic decisions which will not be popular with the traditional Pentax consumer or afficionado, but which might make the difference between its survival in the new digital age or it increasingly being an ossified, niche brand.

Pentax USA has been using a company called Sure Source for its own direct to the consumer sales for a couple of years now. As a photo retailer I naturally would prefer less competition, but the there is a much bigger issue as far as I am concerned. My concern is that Pentax has figured out a way for consumers to purchase rather conveniently from them, but they still lack a way for retailers to purchase just as easily. The other camera manufacturers have a web portal where dealers can place and track orders, maintain account information, check availability and do all the things that make their businesses run smoothly. It seems that the some what "hands-off" approach to maintaining relationships with dealers of smaller sizes could be better explored.

While Pentax has made conspicuous changes in their personnel, ostensibly to realize some cost saving, the quality and volume of information has suffered. The dealer contacts can't be blamed, as they are being asked to do much more with less. And frankly the dealer support has been great all circumstances considered. However the accuracy of the information, the timeliness and the volume of information could be made much better if there were a site where the dealer can go to check that information. That sort of site would entirely mitigate any inaccuracies in the current information flow (I was recently told that 85% of the information was accurate and if I wanted it to be 100% then I would have to wait longer for the information). To support this arguement one can look at the pentaximaging.com website and see they are still promoting a $100 instant rebate on the K-7 that expired five days ago. In the world of instant rebates that is a pretty long time. However the webstore has the pricing and promotions right.

I am not concerned about Pentax selling direct. A number of other manufacturers do the same and even have their own clearance channels to unload refurbished product. These things don't really affect my willingness to support a company, but poor information certainly does.

Thanks for bringing this subject up as it is one that is particularly near and dear to a number of photo retailers, and it's good to get this discussion going.

David Seigel
Camera Craft, Inc.
Rockford, IL

Nass · 11-04-2009, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by dnaseigel

The other camera manufacturers have a web portal where dealers can place and track orders, maintain account information, check availability and do all the things that make their businesses run smoothly. It seems that the some what "hands-off" approach to maintaining relationships with dealers of smaller sizes could be better explored.

I'm with you on this David, in my professional life I deal with telecoms equipment and much of my information comes through a sales and marketing portal which has everything you need to know about the products, current promotions and a tie-in to salesforce.com through which we can check all our sales and this month's dollar-adjusted prices for kit from the distributor. As a sales & marketing professional I'm very surprised that Pentax don't have this!

I'm somewhat reluctant to jump on this "Pentax marketing is dreadful" bandwagon but I have to say, the longer you look at it the more holes there do seem to be.

Samsungian · 11-04-2009, 10:58 AM

I've noticed pentax own webstore entity does not charge state sales tax. Considering I live in Colorado, home of Pentax USA I find this quite interesting.

I wish Canon and Nikon would figure out a way to offer this customer friendly loophole as alot of their goods are priced at full msrp retail, even at B&H thesedays. So one could buy always instock items direct instead of sitting on waiting lists all over the net and just pay additional shipping fee.

Pentax is evolving. No where in my city is Pentax available for hands on. I guess pentax wants its owners to sell the product themselves. When ever I drop by my favorite local shop there are people paying full retail plus local fees for Canon and Nikon including D700 and 5D Mark II. $2699 versus $2699. It baffles me why Pentax chooses not to compete in this hands on sales enviroment. Every person buying a canikon will likely never buy a pentax irregardless to how the one or two owners at a local camera club tout it.

All cameras thesedays take great photos. Its more about the owner's skills & vision & their ability to read instructions manuals to make any camera brand they use excell.

Originally Posted by dnaseigel

Pentax USA has been using a company called Sure Source for its own direct to the consumer sales for a couple of years now. As a photo retailer I naturally would prefer less competition, but the there is a much bigger issue as far as I am concerned. My concern is that Pentax has figured out a way for consumers to purchase rather conveniently from them, but they still lack a way for retailers to purchase just as easily. The other camera manufacturers have a web portal where dealers can place and track orders, maintain account information, check availability and do all the things that make their businesses run smoothly. It seems that the some what "hands-off" approach to maintaining relationships with dealers of smaller sizes could be better explored.

While Pentax has made conspicuous changes in their personnel, ostensibly to realize some cost saving, the quality and volume of information has suffered. The dealer contacts can't be blamed, as they are being asked to do much more with less. And frankly the dealer support has been great all circumstances considered. However the accuracy of the information, the timeliness and the volume of information could be made much better if there were a site where the dealer can go to check that information. That sort of site would entirely mitigate any inaccuracies in the current information flow (I was recently told that 85% of the information was accurate and if I wanted it to be 100% then I would have to wait longer for the information). To support this arguement one can look at the pentaximaging.com website and see they are still promoting a $100 instant rebate on the K-7 that expired five days ago. In the world of instant rebates that is a pretty long time. However the webstore has the pricing and promotions right.

I am not concerned about Pentax selling direct. A number of other manufacturers do the same and even have their own clearance channels to unload refurbished product. These things don't really affect my willingness to support a company, but poor information certainly does.

Thanks for bringing this subject up as it is one that is particularly near and dear to a number of photo retailers, and it's good to get this discussion going.

David Seigel
Camera Craft, Inc.
Rockford, IL