[Leica] S2 and Dealers Issues

[ejcaliguri at comcast.net (Edward Caliguri)]

You both have some great points. Similar to the Aussie point of view,  
and I suppose it can be valid here in the US as elsewhere - I am  
concerned about even 'Medium' size dealers and their ability to just  
afford to carry the S2 items along with all their other inventory.  
They can't Poney Up the Dough - period - to satisfy Hassie users and  
people who need to rent (or buy) an S2. In the Boston MA area dealer  
loyalty may be non-existant on this, because B&H is just 4 hrs away in  
NYC, an hour from me in CT.

I guess the point I am (poorly) trying to make, with some difficulty  
articulating, is this;  I know a few 'Deep Pocket Amateurs' who are  
waiting for an S2, and more than a few pros who want to rent on a  
regular basis. Where will they go to buy/rent? In the long run, not  
local. Buyers won't have to wait for items if ordering from NYC, and  
renters can be assured the NY stores will have what they need 'a  
FedEx' away. So although the smaller Boston MA and Hartford CT dealers  
will desperately wish to satisfy these shooters, they can't afford to  
do so. Eventually there will be a wide gulf between NYC, Chicago, and  
LA 'Superstores' and some GREAT medium to large dealers all over the  
country, even world. Will my - or your - favorite dealer be hurt by  
this since Leica may alienate dealers with these policies? As a result  
will Leica's idea of cutting in to Hassy or Mamiya MF terratory be  
severely diminished?
Ed
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