[Elecraft] INTERNET PURCHASING

Wed May 30 17:45:06 EDT 2012

*Folks,

Eric has stated on this reflector that customers will always have the right
to purchase direct should they choose to do so.

I think this is clear enough.

Whilst businesses provide a valuable service to your local community, there
are many of us (myself included) who are on a fixed income with little
discretionary income and when we see a price differential of 30% (more or
less) on an item costing 3K in our local currency it gives us pause to
think again before handing over the credit card.

Experience in VK has been less than encouraging over the past decade as the
dealerships here appear to not hold stock of spares for obvious reasons
(cost) and to my knowledge none of them are authorized to carry out
warranty repairs and the 'other' manufacturers do not allow warranty work
to be carried out by the owners or dealers without the risk of voiding
there factory warranty and this is also understandable. A call to your
in-country dealer will only result in your being told to contact the
manufacturer for all service/repair requirements.

In simple terms, they sell boxes and accessories in baggies or boxes and
that is the end of their responsibility, period!

Elecraft have for years ( and still do at this point) sell direct only to
VK and the number of transceivers and other products do sell well here and
they enjoy an enviable reputation for both quality and support. I saw this
first hand at a recent Hamfest where I was exhibiting the K-Line and had a
full K-Line on air connected to a triband Yagi and the positive comments
received were flattering to say the least.

Interestingly, the knowledge of Elecraft equipment by non-owners was high
given the number of Hams who spoke to myself and Jeff (VK4XA) and I hope
that in some way Jeff and I were able to generate further business for
Elecraft. We were both asked a couple of times if there was a dealer for
Elecraft or if we were a dealer and we explained that they simply had to go
on-line direct to purchase and I do not speak for Jeff but I personally did
not a single negative comment regarding this arrangement. I did not hear
anyone state they would only buy from an authorized dealer.

In VK we have been subjected to a war of words between factory authorized
dealers and parallel importers. (parallel importer meaning a business
importing equipment acquired from overseas new or used or unused/unopened).
These folks have staged this war of word on the internet advertising sites,
dealer advertisement in magazines and the list goes on. I think a lot of us
in VK have grown tired of this type of commentary and feel it is demeaning
and poor publicity for our hobby.

Currently the dealers in VK sell the JA manufacturers equipment and a lot
of the European and US manufactured amplifiers, antennas and accessories
including Ten Tec.

To the best of my knowledge Alpha do not have a VK dealer ( a quick check
failed to find one advertising Alpha amplifiers) and there maybe more but
my point is if manufacturers such as Elecraft, Alpha and any other quality
manufacturers decide to sell direct only, and dealers in VK continue to
sell other products then I see no need to shop locally over ordering direct
from Elecraft. If they had a dealer here, that dealer would not survive
alone selling Elecraft products, therefore they would be relying on all
sales from all manufacturers to keep their doors open and so I don't see
how Elecraft would benefit with increased sales.

To 'show' Elecraft products is simply a case of gettiing exhibits into as
many Hamfests as possible across VK and Elecraft have always shown a
willingness to assist owners in providing a display at their local hamfest
where those wanting to find out more about Elecraft products can chat with
a customer without the inevitable sales pitch driven by profit. Making
available a working product sure beats the dealers showing a plastic
covered box, not connected to anything. This was a common comment I had at
the Wyong hamfest this year and i will be hoping to attend both Wyong and
the other big hamfest in VK3 2 weeks prior to Wyong. This is of course
subject to approval from Elecraft...:-)

The point I am trying to make is that buying Elecraft products locally in
VK will most likely generate too few additional sales to warrant
considering due to the war of words and one upmanship tactics on display
daily here in VK. I know our cousins in ZL would be less than enthused with
having to jump through the hoops to deal with an existing ham radio dealer
here in VK.

Despite the hype, we do love our cousins across the pond, even though they
talk funny...:-)

The comments in the above email are mine and mine alone and I hope nobody
takes offense.

73's to all

Gary

*
On 31 May 2012 06:37, David Gilbert <xdavid at cis-broadband.com> wrote:

>
> I don't believe those are the same topic at all.
>
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
> On 5/30/2012 12:26 PM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:
> > David is absolutely right (frighteningly right) and unless people start
> > understanding the ramifications of what they are creating each time they
> > purchase something over the internet they will find themselves living in
> > communities as blighted as Detroit.
> >
> > Internet sales are almost universally tax-free which means local
> > communities are deprived of revenue crucially needed to maintain quality
> > living for their citizens.  Every time you think you save a buck by
> > ordering online, you actually hurt your local schools, hospitals, fire
> > departments, special learning centers, and all manner of charities.
> > Every locally owned business in your town, whether you live in a
> > metropolis or a village, contributes a sizable portion of its
> > sales-revenue to other people.  Just outright gives it to them . . .
> > whether in the form of taxes or in the form of donations.  The fewer
> > sales they have (because you have taken your business to anonymous
> > internet vendors), the less money they have available to give to
> > anybody.  In the end, YOU suffer.
> >
> > You want new uniforms for your kid's t-ball team?  The first place you
> > go is not to your own pocket.  Heaven forbid!  No, the first place you
> > turn are to your local businessmen and businesswomen.  You say to them,
> > "can you help us out" and suddenly you are taken aback when they reply,
> > "With what?"  We have no discretionary funds this year.  We're doing all
> > we can to keep our heads above water as it is.  Sorry about the kids."
> >
> > In the end, YOU suffer.
> >
> > The people who sell you flowers through an 800 number or over the
> > internet will NEVER help you buy uniforms for your boys.  They will
> > NEVER contribute to your local rescue squad's extrication equipment.
> > They don't give a darn about your community.  They are faceless,
> > nameless, and do their banking in THEIR home town where, if they even do
> > so, they get credit for charitable donations in their name with YOUR
> > money!  But not so for your local florist who is nickeled and dimed  (by
> > you and me)  month after month, year after year, for worthy hometown
> > projects, and who gratefully gives back to your community a portion of
> > the money you have spent with him.  Likewise for every locally-owned
> store.
> >
> > I buy nothing over the internet except those items I simply cannot buy
> > here in town.  I WANT my local businesses to survive.  I am HAPPY to pay
> > a few bucks more to make that happen.  I am THRILLED when I see boarded
> > up store-front buildings . . . that are no longer boarded up.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Kent  K9ZTV
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On 5/30/2012 6:32 AM, David Christ wrote:
> >> This is considered bad form in the bicycle world and I assume it is
> >> the same in the Ham world as well.  It is unfair to the dealer who
> >> has invested money in having stock on hand to for you take advantage
> >> of his investment and then give him nothing in return.  At least buy
> >> something else from him even if small.
> >>
> >> If you want a local shop to be there when you need something at a
> >> moment's notice you need to spend money there at other times.  If it
> >> costs a little more, that is the price of keeping him in business.  I
> >> will admit that if the price difference is too great you are
> >> justified in taking your business elsewhere.
> >>
> >> Disclaimer: I was a shop owner once so this is a sore point.
> >>
> >> David K0LUM
> >>
> >>
> >>> The advantage is you can go to W&S, look at and try the rig, then
> >>> purchase it direct from Elecraft!
> >>>
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-- 
Gary
VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile
Elecraft Equipment
K3 #679, KPA-500 #018 KAT-500#??
Living the dream!!!