[Elecraft] With all the problems... - a different marketing model

Johnny Siu vr2xmc at yahoo.com.hk
Thu Nov 15 20:22:47 EST 2012


Hello Gary,
 
One of the competitive edge of Elecraft is that it has a group of loyal customers.  As a result, elecraft can market their products in advance and place them at a relatively 'pre-mature' stage.  The group of loyal customers are in fact a group of 'field testers' in some way.
 
These 'field testers' keep on reporting problems to Elecraft who keep on refining their products.  For this marketing model, elecraft can save some costs in really hard rocking their products in the field.  Since the products can come out earlier, they can recover their initial R&D much quicker.
 
Other amateur radio manufacturers do not have this advantage because their sales volumes are far higher and not soley concentrate on ham radio products so that direct communication between the business owner with the users seems not practical.
 
Elecrafters seem enjoying the way of how elecraft is doing business.  They don't mind getting their products at a relatively 'pre-mature' stage but enjoy the full liberaty to talk to Elecraft direct and refine their products later.
 
I am afraid some of my words above could be offensive (apologies here!) but the Elecraft's marketing model seems very successful and to be a win-win solution between elecraft and his customers.

TNX & 73,


Johnny VR2XMC


________________________________
 寄件人︰ Gary Smith <Gary at ka1j.com>
收件人︰ Elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
傳送日期︰ 2012年11月16日 (週五) 9:02 AM
主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] With all the problems...
  
When I was first licensed I bought a then brand new Kenwood 820S from 
an Amateur Radio dealer in CT, it was boxed, never opened from 
Kenwood. At the same time I ordered all the accessories to go with 
it. Within a month I started having display issues and some of the 
LED display would be dark. It started shifting in frequency and I 
took it to the place I bought it and asked for repair. They said they 
stopped selling Kenwood Amateur gear shortly after I bought it. I 
took it to a local repair shop and the tech said the solder 
connections were cold soldered and it should be returned for a 
replacement. 

I contacted Kenwood in CA and told them what had happened and they 
told me I had bought it from a currently unauthorized dealer. I 
explained it was new, they were a dealer at that time and it needed 
to be repaired. Kenwood said I could send it to them but I would be 
responsible for the full cost of repair. I asked a Japanese friend to 
write a letter to Kenwood in Japan telling them of the situation and 
asking for help. I never heard back.

That is my own personal experience with Kenwood and I have never 
bought another Kenwood anything.

I say that here because the kind of attention you get with Elecraft 
assistance and service is the exact opposite of my experience with 
Kenwood. Go with the Elecraft rig of your choice and you will be much 
more than satisfied.

Gary
KA1J


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