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We're a smaller Savin dealer in central Illinois. Our relationship with Ricoh is good, for now, but we have been losing some accounts to Direct due to holes in the "Rules of Engagement" and frankly being out maneuvered. In looking at other brands I've spoken with Muratec which seems like a good fit. There are no independent Canon dealers in our area so there may be an opportunity there. How is Canon to deal with as an independent dealer?

 

Thanks

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mnchstr

I may have a unique perspective being at an Independent Canon Dealer for 25 years and spending 2+ years at RBS (Ricoh Business Systems) as The Boston Region (NE) Solutions Manager. The Canon equipment is solid, What I personally prefer we sell if we are doing 5 year leases or longer. Support is pretty good but not what it once was (They are spread kind of thin). We sell 90% Canon but Samsung is coming on strong. Not eating intio our Canon sales (They cost more) but Samsung allows us to compete with the less expensive models and still make a profit.
I would recommend you pick up the Canon Line if you can. But you have to be able to sell value, not just be the cheapest, Because with Canon you are rarely the cheapest.
 
 
Last edited by VinceMcHugh

Canon is a great product. Most of the time it sells itself based on the brand awareness. (Technically you could go into RBS accounts with Canon, right?)

If you're going to sell Muratec, I think it's better go get authorized for Konica Minolta instead. Konica and Canon are premium brands that can give your dealership higher status and support. Price isn't everything -- company image plays a huge role in engaging with new customers and showcasing yourself as a "premium" technology provider is a great way to enhance that.

I can go into RBS accounts now but the direct pricing is usually lower than my cost even though my DBM says the direct and dealer cost is the same. I have independent Konica and a lot of direct Konica in my territory already . Sharp has reached out to us a couple of times over the years also but EVERYONE sells sharp around here even the Konica dealer.

Muratec is more expensive than Canon since you have to add the doc feeder. We have been a Muratec dealer for almost a year and have not had much traction. We mainly sell Canon and Samsung. I would pick up the Canon line as the brand awareness will win you plenty of business. It is the same for Samsung. Everyone has a Samsung product in their home or office etc. They know the brand name and will gravitate towards it. You can make good money with Samsung as well. 

I would agree with everything that has been mentioned above from Vince, Czech, and Bill. For Art's comment, Sharp is so cheap but I wouldn't want to be a Sharp dealer or employee at this time.

I will also agree they are stretched very thin and their people cover so many states. I think they do a better job than other manufacturers but it's still not great. You will hardly ever see your wide format rep because they all cover like 15-20 states or something crazy like that. I do see our TSE, or for you Ricoh people, the DSM, but not as often as I like. Their solutions guys are fantastic but they are also stretched so thin it is hard to get them available for deals. I think they do the best they can right now. 

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