M9 - Dealer Viewpoint???

[tobey bilek]

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The 1% at grocery is a myth.

 

Two is the stock turnover is very fast at a grocer compared to a camera store so even if were true, the grocer makes the same ROI.

 

All that being said, Leica is facing the same issues as everone during the recession. They downsized and will go as long as they can before rehiring people. In the USA there is a penalty for RIF in your unemployment insurance rates. In Europe, I strongly suspect it is even worse. They will work people overtime to produce as much as possible before new hires, Then you must consider the training lag before they become productive.

 

You will note in the USA, they are saying the recession is over. Rebuilding of inventory is taking place, but productivity is up which means they have found ways to get more from less people. Consequently no new hires and unemployment remains at 10% to 20+% depending on how you want to look at things.

 

There has to be a sustained demand and no desire to offshore or outsource before any new hiring will take place. Then it will be temporary employees or contract employees to start, not full time real jobs.

[dfarkas]

 

All that being said, Leica is facing the same issues as everone during the recession. They downsized and will go as long as they can before rehiring people.

 

Actually, Leica grew its workforce by about 100 people (roughly 10%) during the last fiscal year. To my knowledge there was no downsizing at all.

 

David

[zapp]

 

I wonder what the longer term effects of this may be as I become more enamored with my 1DS3 and 85/1.2L. It can't just be the dealers and me.

 

Or is it?

 

Not too long ago it was extremely hard to get a Canon 1.4/35 mm L lens - and Canon is supposed to be a big company... Do you remember the days when you had to send off your Kodakchrome for development - that took some time.

Manufacturing of fine goods takes time and you can not increase volume easily. For some lenses it takes months for the "glue" between lens elements to dry. If you want the best, you need to wait for it. Quite simple.

It is good to hear that Leica is selling what they are producing, so they hopefully make money. How long will this demand last? Christmas is over, it is cold and winter time, not many people will order new lenses before bonus time in about 6 weeks will start. Plan ahead of time.

People that own the Summilux 50 do not join the PITA discussion, they appear quite happy, and 16% of the price of the Summilux which sells even without taking up any storage space is actually pretty good.

[wilfredo]

I'm in the market for an Epson 3880 printer and can't find one anywhere. Leica is a small company and those in a hurry to buy simply have to come to terms with that reality. As consumers we want immediate gratification and demand it, even from of a small company like Leica. Sometimes even money can't get you what you want when you want it.

 

However, perhaps Leica should have held off a bit before announcing these cameras??? I think that would have kept the waters calm. Perhaps it is a blessing that I neither want or can afford an M9 at this time?

[gwelland]

People that own the Summilux 50 do not join the PITA discussion, they appear quite happy, and 16% of the price of the Summilux which sells even without taking up any storage space is actually pretty good.

 

What does the last half of this statement mean? The 16% bit - I don't understand that.

 

Summilux's, like M9's, are available out there new from stock. However, it increasingly takes a lot of effort to find them. For the rest of us it's a case of placing an order and waiting or else finding something on the used market where they certainly can be found.

[Guest BigSplash]

This is another wonderful thread...typical of so many. The OP makes the point that dealers are unhappy as neither M9 bodies nor certain lenses are being delivered and worse Leica are providing them with no visibility. Several people such as Jim agree, yet as usual the same people suggest the same old excuses ....plus Jim is even asked if he has a Leica?

 

We are told:

• Leica is a small company in a niche "luxury" market. Apparently this is an excuse for poor service. Hmm.
  
• They cannot provide a delivery date to their own dealers after now 5 months of M9 production and about 8 months for the hard to find new lens designs. .Hmm.
  
• Dealers are suggesting M10 may be announced before M9 backlog is fully served....and at 50 cameras per day maybe they are right.
  

In my case I am waiting for a Leica UV/IR filter and a lens hood for a TriElmar since November.

 

I wish those that make excuses all the time for Leica get a reality check. Meanwhile I shall wait for my bits and enjoy my M8.

 

I shall also await with interest the next financial report that should be coming soon as presumably Leica is now awash with lots of cash and obscene profits given the sucess of M9.