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Is inconsistent M9 distribution hurting Leica?


michael friedberg

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As far as I can tell –and correct me if I’m wrong—the following is the status of the M9 introduction:

 

--after the announcement of 9/9/09, there were reports that the M9 would be shipping very soon

--a handful of forum participants have been able to get them; one person through one dealer in NYC, several in the UK, etc. Some of these persons may been lucky, a few might be VIPs and others were really good customers who got the first one from a prime dealer

--everyone else is on a waiting list. Some are in the dark about how long it will be, while others have been told October, November or early 2010. I would guess that the list depends on the dealer, the dealer’s country, how many were ordered, how soon a person got on the list, and for some dealers how much money that person deposited, etc.

 

One dealer contacted me in August with strong hints –I told him to “put me on a list”, and that’s the last I’ve heard from him. I was told by another large US dealer that he was anticipating one M9 in September, perhaps 10 more in October and another 10 or so in November. So I’ll wait my place in that dealer’s queue.

 

But wasn’t it materially different in 2006 when the M8 came out? It was announced way before actual deliveries began. Back then, I contacted about a dozen dealers, and found one in Germany who was able to ship to me during the first week of availability. If I recall, dozens –perhaps hundreds—of people got the M8 in a matter of days.

 

I know –people will say that the first deliveries of the M8 were botched –the first cameras had problems and shouldn’t have been sent. So perhaps Leica has got it right this time around.

 

But this time around, has Leica now botched instead the mechanics of distribution? The cameras may be OK, but has Leica been inconsistent on which countries get how many new models first? Have they dribbled in a way that has been counter-productive –causing some potential buyers in walk away or at least sit on the sidelines? In my opinion, it's like solving the M8 debut problem and creating a new one.

 

Leica, in my opinion, did a great job with the 9-9-09 marketing, from Twitters to Facebook to newscasts. A few days before leaks hurt the impact of what was officially announced on the news conferences. Leica was so aghast on the news leaks that this forum basically couldn't have direct links to them.

 

But are inconsistent dribbles on distribution hurting even more than the news leaks ever did?

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I'm not on a wait list. The dealers in this area want deposits, and I never put down a deposit. That ties you to a dealer that may not be able to be first to deliver, plus with the economy, I am always a little cautious at handing someone else money. Luckily all the dealers in my area are financially sound.

 

I guess this means I'll have to shoot with an M8 today, something many, many people, including myself, would feel blessed to do.

 

On the other hand, if anyone knows of a Leica USA dealer with a black M9 in stock - PM me!

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Michael - near as I can tell, the difference between M8 distribution and M9 is that this time Europe got the early shipments, not the US. In both cases, I've been able to get my hands on a camera only because of early voting: telling a dealer that I would like to be put on a list before others did.

 

In 2006, Leica announced the M8 mid-September, and they shipped in late October. By mid-November, they began to flow more regularly. I would bet that by mid-October, a steady supply of M9s will be hitting stores. Will demand be satisfied? No, and that's a good thing -- if you're rooting for Leica's long-term health.

 

Leica needs a hit, and has one. The M9 demand would seem to be pretty great. They are ramping up now. It will probably take until the beginning of the year -- I'm guessing -- before someone could walk into a camera store and buy one off the shelf.

 

If you're in the States, you probably remember the Wii phenomenon a few years ago, where parents mugged UPS delivery men outside of stores to get a Wii for someone's Christmas present. I don't think it'll get to that point... But this is a happy occasion for Leica. If not for the many waiting for their M9. Good luck! Yours will come, I hope and pray. JB

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I share your apparent frustration, Michael. I believe that Leica has done a very poor job of preparing and positioning initial inventories. They've been working on this camera virtually since the M8 shipped.

 

But is the paucity of early M9's really hurting Leica? Not at all. Giving someone weeks, or months, to reconsider such a large purchase always invites cancellations. But these cameras are basically male fetish items and there's always another guy Jonesed-up and willing to wait.

 

I expect mine in October. ;-)

Edited by ken_tanaka
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What would have been the alternative? No 9/9/2009 announcement, instead secretly manufacturing M9s like crazy until the inventories are full, then introducing the camera in December or January so at that point everyone interested could stop by at his Leica dealer and walk away with an M9 … Would it have made any real difference?

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for late-October

People may be on several waiting lists, so the situation may be better than it looks.

I have an old friend's wedding just before Thanksgiving & I would love to take my new camera for it

even so I think Leica must have QC that's outstanding for the M9, so they can ride this wave of interest to greatest profit

if it isn't available then, I will probably take my M8

I have no qualms using this camera straight out of the box for the wedding, as I am shooting there for myself

I am much more concerned that Leica get this one close to perfect

:) and it looks like they just might have :)

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Leica just can't win, can they?

 

They have already delivered hundreds, if not a couple of thousand M9s this month. They have sold every one they could make in the time they have had to make them

 

They are now making as many as they can, as fast as they can

 

Give them a break. They have done this absolutely right this time. Quality product - worldwide distribution - 10x pent up demand. If people had wanted one on 9/9 they should have had faith when the rumour mill went into overdrive in July/August. It was so obvious what was coming...

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What would have been the alternative? No 9/9/2009 announcement, instead secretly manufacturing M9s like crazy until the inventories are full, then introducing the camera in December or January so at that point everyone interested could stop by at his Leica dealer and walk away with an M9 … Would it have made any real difference?

 

No mjh the alternative would of been for Leica to stop making M8.2' back in June or July and start making M9's full tilt. But they didn't do that. In the factory tour video shot in early August they were still making M8.2 and some M9's with the announcement only one month away.

 

Leica missed the boat clear and simple. If just after the M9 was officially release there was stock available I would of probably found a way, credit, to afford one, (+ 1sale for Leica). But since there was none available that gave me time to rethink the pruchase and I came to the conclusion I don't want to put myself in the hole for a M9 as my M8 is still working great ( - 1 sale for Leica).

I'm not the only one that has made this decision that would of bought (ordered) one the day of or the next few days after the release. (Minus a ton of sales for Leica and there dealers)

 

So yes this availablity delay will hurt Leica to some extent. As it is now I will probably not buy a M9 new, unless the price comes down considerably. But then if that happen then used M9's will be going for even less.

 

All the lists at alll the dealer mean absolutely nothing. If there was cameras available when those people put there names on the list half would of may a purchase. It's easy to put your name on a list, it's hard to take out $7000 and lay it on the counter. Now that they have to wait and have a chance to think about it maybe 1/4 or less of the names on all the lists around the world will end up buying one when they do become available.

 

At least that is the way I see it.

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Thing is, how may there are available this month doesn't matter to Leica's cash flow. What does matter is how many are available in for delivery in December. That's the time when a lost sale might be a permanent loss. But I'd say they're reasonably well positioned on that; get cameras to the early adopters in October, take advantage of impulse buying in late November/December. All a very merry Christmas season for them.

 

Sandy

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Andy Barton is correct. Leica has done an excellent job getting this one out so soon. The only reason I have my M9 is that I committed a very long time ago. It was smart that they put a limited number out early rather than wait another month or more. And the M8 is a very good camera as well.

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I think they probably lost a few sales to people who would have bought in the first flush of enthusiasm, and have reconsidered...but then, I know f**k-all about marketing. Overall, I suspect the "reconsidereds" will be a very small number, that the people who are grumpy because they can't have one now, will buy one when they can, and Leica will do just fine with this camera. Of more interest to me now is what happens with the S2, not because I want one, but because of the impact another great success, or abject failure, might have on the company.

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Leica could only start full-bore manufacturing this past summer when all the electronic and mechanical glitches were resolved, leaving only firmware to be sorted. The 99.9% of us who were not beta testers have no idea when that was, but I appreciate Leica's waiting for that point this time. (Much as I might like another 30% discount on a new lens, I don't think that is going to happen.)

 

scott

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Yes they've done great.I ordered my M9 in July but I still have not got it.

 

Why?

 

Because my dealer is not the biggest dealer, and because he isn't in London.

 

Do I care?

 

No.

 

Why?

 

Because he's a genuine guy, looks after me, lends me cameras. Looks after warranty problems. Gives me a good price - is available whenever I want him. Look - it's not all about delivery NOW - you need relationships. I don't care if I get my M9 this week or in January - it's not life or death - I won't abandon my dealer. The key is that demand exceeds supply and that's a great place to be for Leica, regardless of any sniping.

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Shootist, I don't think that you can make any assumptions regarding production quantities and priorities based on looking at a video. In June at the time of the Forum visit a batch of white M8s were being assembled (doubtless already pre-sold). The M7 and MP are assembled on the same line too, on demand. They certainly weren't going to have piles of M9s on the benches to be seen by dozens of visiting Forum members then either, but clearly production was well underway.

Anecdotally someone commented that Leica sold 900???? M9s in the first two days. If that is so or close I would say that they have done extraordinarily well with the M9 release.

On waiting lists, where demand will exceed supply, dealers would certainly be entitled to ask for a deposit if you expect priority treatment. That is for exactly the reason someone mentioned, people would have their name down at more than one location.

Someone saying "I want one" is not quite the same as, here is my deposit.

No mjh the alternative would of been for Leica to stop making M8.2' back in June or July and start making M9's full tilt. But they didn't do that. In the factory tour video shot in early August they were still making M8.2 and some M9's with the announcement only one month away.

 

Leica missed the boat clear and simple. If just after the M9 was officially release there was stock available I would of probably found a way, credit, to afford one, (+ 1sale for Leica). But since there was none available that gave me time to rethink the pruchase and I came to the conclusion I don't want to put myself in the hole for a M9 as my M8 is still working great ( - 1 sale for Leica).

I'm not the only one that has made this decision that would of bought (ordered) one the day of or the next few days after the release. (Minus a ton of sales for Leica and there dealers)

 

So yes this availablity delay will hurt Leica to some extent. As it is now I will probably not buy a M9 new, unless the price comes down considerably. But then if that happen then used M9's will be going for even less.

 

All the lists at alll the dealer mean absolutely nothing. If there was cameras available when those people put there names on the list half would of may a purchase. It's easy to put your name on a list, it's hard to take out $7000 and lay it on the counter. Now that they have to wait and have a chance to think about it maybe 1/4 or less of the names on all the lists around the world will end up buying one when they do become available.

 

At least that is the way I see it.

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