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http://www.dpreview.com/news/0911/09110901digitalriverpentax.asp

Good move or bad ?

HOWARD

I don't think it's bad, but how good it is?

I would rather see a pro online store with very good support, certainly when the 645D arrives it could make a difference.

Interesting, I think I'll wait and see what itall looks like before making any opinion.

My first question would be will it be at a reasonable price level? The second will be can you negotiate a deal with it?

John says ..

"My first question would be will it be at a reasonable price level? The second will be can you negotiate a deal with it?"

and there's the rub !!

Howard

I see it's going to cover UK (but not the soil I call home).

We could ask what Chris think about this kind of competition?! But lets have a look at what Pentax say: “We needed to find an e-commerce partner that understood our industry, the importance of our dealer relationships, and the value of multi-channel approach where everyone is a winner. Digital River was the clear choice.” From this I don't expect they will try to compete on prices, so don't expect bargains. They would naturally have the power to lower prices prices significantly but that would meen someone like Chris would be out of (Pentax-) business.

Edit: Oh btw! At least it shows that Pentax are being proactive with regards to their situation.

I think they have had the same system in the USA for a couple of years now.

Going back to Amins post a while back about SRS stocking Canon and Sony kit I think it may be a real possibility now because new buyers coming into the market use the internet a lot more and this can only take away sales from the retailers.

Must be this one. In that case I think, Chris has nothing to fear as prices are unreasonable and you can't negotiate a deal. They also point to local dealers on that website, where you might be able make that deal. I'm cool with such a webstore but can't see it make a huge difference.

SRS will be ok I should think - people still often prefer a smaller retailer where you can get personal service and expert advice

I prefer to go to retailers like SRS because of their service. Their knowledge and friendliness when dealing with customers is always excellent. The only thing missing there would be a cuppa or drink while we shop . And for this kind of service I don't mind paying a small premium. Because also I prefer to see the item, have a good feel and try it before buying.

But this premium compared to prices that one gets around bargain places like the Internet has to be small and in reasonable proportion. If its way above the prices that one gets around in the Internet of course then it would make me think twice. So I am assuming when Pentax starts becoming commercially available the way the link states competition will be fierce. We already have been able to shop from european countries easily and compare prices. Its silly to think that dealers like SRS are not felling the pinch. Margins get reduced and there is always a huge struggle to keep up the volume of sales to maintain the kind of excellent service that SRS has offered us so far. On top of that we have to consider other aspects that retailers have been facing, such as banks tightening the ropes, landlords raising rents etc (Just look at the closing of the Rayners Lane Branch of SRS and Chris mentioned clearly the main reason why that was happening).

So all in all what Mike-P just mentioned above here sounds like a good idea. SRS starting to stock Canon and Sony again would give them the breathing space to keep the sales volume high to keep providing the excellent service they got us used to. As mentioned earlier I did notice the next door shop closed and being available for rental and as far as i remember that shop has a basement so it really sounds an excellent idea if Chris negotiated that shop and added that to the premises and widened the sales dealership beyond Pentax only.

I see this as being a win win situation for everyone.
Unless of course pentaxians feel that there is a problem in rubbing shoulders with Canikons then this would be a huge problem .
But you already do it here so I guess when its face to face I am sure you could bear with it .

Who knows he could be in an excellent position even to tempt one of the big makes to sponsor the setting up of a basement studio and create a fantastic environment for someone wanting to go there test a few cameras or lenses in an ideal controlled environment, take some portraits etc. run a few workshops there . I have seen many dealers take advantage of similarly sponsored business premises.

And as I have mentioned before, the offer for a drinks cooler still stands if Chris eventually goes down this route .
Chris, the ball is in your ground now