Email I sent to the email address referenced above:
How will the changes that were announced today affect the RFG Dealer Channel? I work for a Lanier Dealer that was formerly a Gestetner Dealer. One of our primary concerns over the past several years is that RBS & IKON consistently undercut us on price, not only for hardware but also for service & supplies, which is where we make our profit. Additionally, there are currently 9 other entities (including RBS & IKON) in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market selling the same Ricoh-manufactured product, so considering the number of feet on the street from RBS & IKON (nearly 90 reps in D/FW, so they are in every deal), the independent dealer rarely stands a fighting chance when the time comes to address budget concerns, particularly considering the condition of the economy over the past 2 years. How does Ricoh plan to address these concerns, outside of the “Rules of Engagement” that were put in place a few years ago but only apply if the dealer holds a significant amount of the MIF, in order to help the independent dealer channel maintain profitability?