Leica Road Show

[wparsonsgisnet]

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I just got my newsletter and there is an announcement of and invitation to an upcoming Leica Road Show in it. The road show will be in Boston on 4/29 (for the M9), so I was interested.

 

It seems that it costs $99 to attend this road show.

 

Two things: (1) that is a lot of money, and (2) if the attendance fee is to keep the riff-raff away, then a $25 fee might serve to limit the attendance to those with a genuine interest, without keeping me out.

 

Here I am, a Leica Ambassador, and I thought: Man, I should attend the Boston session of the road show. At $25, I certainly would be there to support the team.

 

To support Leica, I think this is exactly what the marketing team needs to do -- get out there and show off this camera (cameras actually -- the S2 and the M9). I have felt for a long time that Leica needs to get in front of people. I think they need a showroom where anyone can see these wonderful instruments. I think they need to acquaint people with the brand. I think a qualified user will see the value of the cameras. Various display locations would be good venues for the Ambassadors and other Leicaphiles to frequent.

[andybarton]

You do get a voucher to the value of your 99 bucks though, Bill...

[Craftsman]

Received the same and I agree, $99.00 is a steep price to have a camera company put on a dog a pony show to sell their product.

[daveleo]

call me "riff-raff dave"

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does Leica have any marketing people on the payroll, or are they all engineers?

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truth be told, i am not a potential M9 purchaser, but i might drop $25 to fondle an X1 and have someone explain to me how dropping $2k on an X1 would make my life better.

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[chuckw]

I agree with the above. For individuals who already have an M9, or have already decided to purchase one, $99 is rather steep for what promises to be essentially a low key sales pitch.

 

On-the-other-hand, if I were an individual who was interested in the M9 but had not yet made up my mind I would be glad to spend the $99 in order to hear from a Leica expert about the camera and lenses.

 

It is probably too much to ask for M9 owners to be provided a free pass.

[wparsonsgisnet]

You do get a voucher to the value of your 99 bucks though, Bill...

 

Well, Andy, I walked thru the enrollment process and didn't see that. I got as far as the $99 page and didn't see a voucher offer.

 

If it was at the bottom of the page, shame on me and on Leica -- on me for not looking down and on them for not putting it at the top of the page.

 

As I said, I'd even pay $25 to attend, so if it's going to be free for M9 owners (?) then I'll buy someone coffee.

 

Regards,

[Craftsman]

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I have a rule that says, never pay to have someone sell you something.

[stuny]

Bill-

 

Read a bit further down. The S2 cost is $149.

[zeitz]

I would recommend they wait until they actually have M9s and lenses to sell in the US. I wonder if they will take orders, and then tell you when your product will actually be delivered. What I would like to see is proces: take the order which requires a deposit, give the buyer his serial number when the order is accepted, tell the buyer the date it will be assembled, and invite the buyer to Solms to see his camera assembled should they want to. The completed camera is then shipped overnight to the buyer's dealer to clear customs and be delivered.

[Jeff S]

so if it's going to be free for M9 owners (?) then I'll buy someone coffee.

 

Bill, my understanding is the voucher goes toward purchase, not for current owners...but I could be wrong.

 

There are other threads on the shows...here's one...http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/116993-m9-north-american-road-show.html

 

Jeff

[wparsonsgisnet]

Yup, I read down a bit and "no brass ring." For the admission price, the attendee gets a voucher toward the purchase of a Leica product.

 

As I said above, I think Leica needs to get out there, but I don't see the drawing power of this particular show.

 

I think I would charge the $25 fee I mentioned above and give a voucher for $100 toward some Leica product. Also, free coffee and munchies.

 

Then, I'd spend a lot of time promoting this thing, invite some dealers, get a celeb to come and make a lot of noise about it, and have a raffle for something really special.

 

There is no question that Leica products are special, but who is the intended audience (with $99 or more to burn)?

 

I just bought 2 M9 batteries. $99 doesn't cut it. I am an avowed Leicaphile, but I don't get it.

[tdtaylor]

I believe I read in some small print that the voucher was for "serialed" products. Could not find it when I went looking again. At the time I took this to mean expensive products, and not a filter or battery.

 

I am headed to the Washington DC show, but only because my work is so depressing in this economy and I'll do anything to leave- and visit a few clients in the process.

[Ed_K]

I made a screen capture, guess this is the information about "serialized product" you are looking for, true? Now i wonder if the voucher is sent to you after you register, or collect them at the presentation.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[ho_co]

Bill, this one baffles me as well.

 

For the M8 traveling roadshow, I paid what, $400 or so, and had to travel to another city to see it.

 

Afterward, I complained loudly that it wasn't worth the money and pointed out that other manufacturers usually only charge $40-$50, though for a shorter seminar.

 

We had a very good presenter at the M8 show, Scott Geffert, the author of the excellent Digilux 2 Field Guide (available at http://www.overgaard.dk/pdf/Digilux_Field_Guide.pdf). He runs a training center and apparently he is the one who set his charges based on "standard business practice." This time, Leica employee Justin Stailey is in charge, rather than an independent outsider. That's probably why they were able to make the show so much less expensive than before.

 

This time the road show will visit my home town, but I won't be attending.

[barcoder]

I think this event is for people who are new to the M9 or M cameras in general. It might be a little underwhelming for experienced and pro M photographers like the esteemed photographers on this board. Actually, I know many here could teach these topics as well. I have learned a lot by reading the comments and suggestions from you and I don't think I and people like me thank enough the experienced photographers on this board for their time and wisdom. Thank you!

 

For me it was an easy decision to sign up. I am looking to purchase an M9 in August. I have used mainly SLR cameras and iPhoto. I'm in the process of moving my image library over to lightroom. I'd like to learn a little bit more about the M9, Lightroom, and workflow in general.

 

With the voucher this event is practically free for potential buyers. I think this was a brilliant move by Leica. It removes all the people who were not serious about the M9 and the topics discussed.*

[tdtaylor]

I made a screen capture, guess this is the information about "serialized product" you are looking for, true? Now i wonder if the voucher is sent to you after you register, or collect them at the presentation.

 

Yes, thanks for finding this. Anyone know for certain what a serialized product is? Lenses and cameras- anything cheaper?

[andybarton]

Anything with a Serial Number. So, you're looking at lenses or bodies.

[dcoombs]

It sounds from the brochure that this is more like something of a workshop. They are providing an introduction to rangefinder photography, an intro to Lightroom, etc., plus the opportunity to fondle an M9 for a while.

 

Having said that, I don't see it worth the money unless you were seriously interested in buying one. But then that's who they are targeting.

 

Doug

[garyp]

I was interested in the M9 workshop, but it's not coming to Nashville, only the S2.

Doubt I will pay the $149, but if some good reviews of the workshops come in from earlier cities then 'maybe'.

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[LeicaS2]

I'm going to the S2 in Phoenix, and think the price is just right, especially given it can count toward a purchase. I'll let you know what I think in four weeks.