[Leica] In Shock

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson)]

Neal, I spent seven years in a camera shop, albeit well before the digital 
tsunami struck. You're absolutely right regarding the
loss of that traditional consumer support. It seems to me that most of the 
digital P&S & SLR cameras are marketed far more like
white goods or other semi-disposables. 
I know this is not new. 
As a significant consumer of good camera gear, I always try to buy from 
dealers making an effort to cater to more traditional
photography as well. When I need something like a bag or other accessory, 
you can bet I try to spend my money at the same place. The
same for my film processing lab. They get all of my funds spent on film and 
chemicals as well. (Not that you could actually find
that stuff in stock at your local electrical bargain outlet). Sometimes it 
isn't easy and you literally cannot give them your money
because Leica equipment, especially any range of used gear, is very uncommon 
hereabouts. Today I paid for a new 50 Summilux asph.
Ouch, but my money went to the camera equipment seller staffed by 
enthusiastic and knowledgeable people and with a large and
thriving used film gear department and lots of Leica gear in stock. The same 
folks won't shake their heads when you want to talk
trade-ins, provide fair prices and very good service. Guess who got my money 
for two M bodies, and a couple of lenses over the last
year or two?

Hang in there, you traditional camera shops and all of you other consumers, 
you know who to support if you want to help maintain
this sort of facility.

Cheers
Hoppy
-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org 
[mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Neal Friedenthal
Sent: Thursday, 14 December 2006 15:46
To: lug@leica-users.org
Subject: [Leica] In Shock

The photo retail business is the most rediculous business to gwet into, as 
it seems to be a sin to make a decent profit. On Canon
amd Nikon, which are by far the most popular makes, it is impossible to sell 
for more than $100 over cost and are usually sold for
less than $50 over cost. You can't stay in business for long on that type of 
profit margin.  We have to sell some cameras at cost
and try to make some profit on accessories such as memory cards, cases, 
filters, and batteries. I work part time for Le Camera in
New Jersey and we are trying to hang in there but it is not easy.  The only 
cameras that we do make a decent profit on, a bit over
10%, is Leica and that is only because to get a dealership with them you 
have to sign a contract that requires that you sell no
lower than their "minimum selling price" which is why everyone's price is 
the same on Leica equipment.  The small independent camera
shop is a dieing breed and it is the consumer who is killing it.  
BTW we have more used equipment than we know what to do with, how about a 
nice Nikkormat FTN with a 50mm f1.4 Nikkor for $125.....

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