Tagged With "Direct Channel"
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Re: COVID19 "Remote Working" Day Forty-Three of Sales
I just created my own YouTube channel doing product videos with future ones planned mostly focussed on MS365. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OotckdOtEg ... and I am working Linkedin a lot more in different ways. Most of the people I know say they have never gotten a lead from Linkedin. They think of this site as a static business card talking about who they are and not what they can do for the customer. They never post to Linkedin. Like most things, Linkedin requires almost daily work to...
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Re: COVID19 "Remote Working" Day Forty-Three of Sales
SSG that's an awesome video! You can send links to clients, and direct them to your channel. It's a virtual demo that keeps on giving. Kudos I have some of the same issues with getting appointments through Linkedin, however I know of several peeps that use Linkedin as their only source for prospecting and they are doing well. I will keep working it since I have a Navigator account now
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Re: Assume My Copier Lease....What?
@Kitz: Dealer support is also a great question. Currently we approach this on a case-by-case basis. New transfers would go to an affiliated partner in the geographical territory that is qualified to service that equipment. Ultimately, we are building a network of independent dealers not unlike what the direct channel already has access to. This way, independent dealers can leverage the network for new contracts as well, such as when a sale is made to a head office that includes installations...
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Re: 5 Questions for HP about the Acquisition of Samsung Printer Business Unit
PRINTING BUSINESS UNIT DIVESTMENT GUIDANCE Following is communications guidance on the Samsung Printer Business Unit Divestment includes: The Samsung Electronics Press Release Q&A for Samsung Employees and Partners Samsung Printing Business Unit Divestment Statement “Samsung Electronics has reached an agreement to sell the entire global operations and assets of its printing business to HP Inc. This transaction is part of the Company’s efforts to concentrate on its core business areas.
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Re: 5 Questions for HP about the Acquisition of Samsung Printer Business Unit
I had the time at lunch today to listen to a recorded webex meeting from Photizo that offered up speculation on why HP bought Samsung. Here's my takeaways: Patents, more than 6,500 of them 1,500 world class engineers The eventual replacement of all canon marking engines with Samsung Thus, as there was much hype about the purchase of Samsung, I don't think was for the laser based engines, but more for the patents, the engineers, and the laser engines for HP printers. In addition, HP will now...
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Re: How Far Out On the Pier Are We?
Ray Stasieczko Great point with the typewriter industry. Many of those typewriter dealers saw the writing on the wall and moved into the imaging industry. They survived, they flourished and they made the change to another product within the Office Technology Industry. There are too many brilliant dealers principals out there that will let themselves fail by staying on board a sinking ship. Those dealers will innovate because they have too in order to survive. Those that are not brilliant...
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Re: Imaging Channel, It’s also about a Lease-less Future!
Interesting. Have been working on new revenue ideas for the copier dealer channel.
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Re: Konica Minolta Acquires More Than Just Copier Dealers
Attached is the letter I received from Muratec Marketing
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Re: Sharp CEO States "I believe it is my responsibilty to...)
No money means no R&D. Sharp is getting destroyed in Canada. Since Konica Minolta purchased Pitney Bowes' imaging division (Sharp's largest dealer in Canada), they've been offering customers massive incentives to flip their Sharp gear into KM bizhubs. I think there's more value in Sharp's direct channel base customer list than the actual technology. I've always found the MX series to be lacking in quality and ease of use. Prices have come down on Tier 1 products which means Tier 2...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Have to remind customer of your long term involvement vs. price. Usually the differentiator...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Originally Posted by Art Post: Whoa there Art.... I've been with Canon (CSA) for 20 years. We have thousands of well satisfied customers. Not everyone everywhere is going to be happy but, to the chagrin of our competitors, most are. If they aren't, they will leave. You know it and I know it. We have ROE's that are rigidly enforced where I do business, we are not out to buy the business and the competition from Canon's own dealers often force prices to rock bottom margins. You've been at this...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
I call complete bull **** on that. I am dealing with a customer right now whose quote from csa is 20% less than we can buy it for with all programs etc. the directs are blaming the dealers for running the industry into the ground? That's hilarious And I've heard that from Ricoh direct as well. Let's not forget who decided to bring out the A4 machines and drive the hardware revenues down to nothing and then start doing service at cost so the factory could continue to run. Those branches are...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
I am dealing with this right now, my DBM is looking into it but I'm skeptical having lost two previous accounts to Ricoh Direct. One was a school district we had seven mfp's in Ricoh had one billable obsolete AF 650 so "technically" we weren't the incumbent. Ricoh has a lot of ways to get around their rules. Ricoh "says" the dealer cost is the same as direct but we see them sell at our cost all the time. Originally Posted by txeagle24: We've had issues with Ricoh finding (or try really hard...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Need to resort to good old salesmanship. Dealer service and personnel benefits. Best wishes..
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
It's difficult to sell dealer service and benefits when your pricing is 30% higher. That's a lot of value to add and if anyone thinks they can truly do that much value on a regular basis, I want them on my team.
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
That's about all I can tell my reps is good luck. Your not going to beat the directs on price. If you can sell the value of a dealer/customer relationship that's the best bet. My post may have sounded a little Blount/direct towards you which wasn't intended. I just get fed up when I see my reps bring quotes back that we can't even touch without losing money.
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Price , as an objection has always been challenging. I use to spread difference over 5 yrs then load up on advantages which I could offer. Sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. You seem to be seasoned at this. If significant enough I brought DSM from Mfgr. That helped me get customers attn.. Usually mentioned to prospect longevity of rep from dealer vs. transition of direct contact if that helps. Let me know how you make out.. Again best wishes. What state are you in?
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Just got off the phone with my DBM and OF COURSE Ricoh has one machine in the county system so I can't keep them out if the board wants to consolidate under one vendor. I'm thinking my days as a sole source RFG dealer are over. I could add Sharp, they call me every now and then but EVERYONE around here sells Sharp. Looked at Kyocera once but they wanted $65k buy in. Suggestions?
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
We're in Illinois. I have brought in my DSM/DBM and a Ricoh Solutions specialist when necessary didn't help in the last instance. When we see Xerox selling off the state contract they usually sell at below our US Communities cost. This is a broke ass state and price is often the only "value" they care about.Originally Posted by Larry Kirsch: Price , as an objection has always been challenging. I use to spread difference over 5 yrs then load up on advantages which I could offer. Sometimes it...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
I would add a solid A4 lineup from Lexmark or Samsung. They're aggressively priced, & Ricoh would likely still consider you a single source dealer. A3 placements are on the decline, & A4 is the only growing segment, plus the aftermarket revenues and profits are higher.
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Sounds good. Years ago I was br. Mgr in loop for Savin.. Also had sharp/ Panasonic dealership nyc.. Business has changed but appears to be more lucrative nowadays . Kyocera may play out as good second line... Nice warranties for dealers.. Stay with it.. Where in Ill. Are you??
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Larry I am in NC. Have been doing this about 10 years. It's all I've done since college. I love the industry, for the most part, and really am at a point I couldn't afford to leave it behind. We are a family dealer so running the company has always been my goal so I've neve freaky wanted to leave either. For the ones that are single source RFG, we use to be in the same boat. We added Samsung in 2009 so we have seen tej good and the really bad of SAMSUNG. We brought on Kyocera for a short...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
All sounds good. Bumped into Keith Allison last week. Is he in your area?? Anyhow sounds like you guys are well diversified . Re the tough prospect !! Perhaps an offer of a back up used copier could counter Ricoh 30% lower cost ? Try almost anything to get prospect on your side. Then next year inc price?? Maybe?? Lol
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Yes Keith has a branch in our area but we don't run into them that much. Yes we stuck it out with Ricoh for as long as we could. We really took a hard look at the dealer/manufacturer relationship when the ikon merger happened and we saw pricing in our area that was worse than we see now. What broke the camels back was when we asked for support from Ricoh to gain some of the canon accounts that we had engaged and Ricoh told us point blank to walk away from the deals because we would never win...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Sounds like you are on a roll. Keep up the good work...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
mnchstr How about Muratec, they now have the A3 KonicaMInolta's also
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
This has been a great thread so far! We're a mid size dealer in central pa and have most of the directs knocking around in our area. TABS, KMBS, RBS, CSA, Xerox and now Global just bought a small dealership. In addition we have quite a few other Indy dealers like us. I whole heartedly agree with what some one said before about selling the value of your company, service and the relationships. I've also told customers point blank I cannot compete with the directs price so if that's all that...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
A lot of focus , dedication, and hard work always is helpful. A little luck also doesn't hurt. Best wishes.
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
It has been that way for years in my area. If Canon enters the deal all profit is gone.
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Usually they sell at dealer cost less all incentives on accounts where they are the incumbent.
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Had a deal recently that we were the incumbent and CSA came in and placed the exact same machine as we tried. Customer gave us the quote and our true cost was around 14,000 or 15,000 and they sold it to them around $9,000.00. Anytime CSA is in a deal there is a very small chance of winning. The only thing we have going for us is their service is very lousy so after the lost sale we usually pick up a service agreement at some point. Ricoh has been good about enforcing the rules of engagement...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
CSA operates under a lawless abandon. Their number one goal is to move boxes even at a loss. While they didn't lose as much this past year, they still didn't turn a profit for CUSA (canon USA) and no one at the top seemed to care. Having met some of the top tier dealers in the northeast, the sore in every single independent dealers side is canon solutions america / canon business solutions. We all know competition is out there, but to have to explain why us as a canon independent dealer is a...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Originally Posted by TML: CSA operates under a lawless abandon. Their number one goal is to move boxes even at a loss. While they didn't lose as much this past year, they still didn't turn a profit for CUSA (canon USA) and no one at the top seemed to care. Having met some of the top tier dealers in the northeast, the sore in every single independent dealers side is canon solutions america / canon business solutions. We all know competition is out there, but to have to explain why us as a...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Some things don't change... Rules of engagement lol multiple lines dare best protection for independents...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
I was employeed by CBS (now CSA). I moved my family back to the east coast after working for 6 years in the Portland OR area for CBS as a production print specialist. Perhaps things have changed since I left CBS 2 years ago to come back to a Canon dealer... I was beaten and battered (related to my cost) when I was at CBS by all 5 local dealers. I now manage a sales team for a Canon dealer. We have never lost to CSA in the 3 years that I've in this position. In fact, I had a promo running for...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Art, Yes, Ricoh's ROE is serious business. If you're not seeing that in your territory, you need to contact their MVP, or even Mr. Brodigan himself, immediately. I've seen him take the matters into his hands personally. When you are moving half our gear a year, you hold more cards then you think. How Canon can afford not to is beyond me. I guess that's why we're seeing more Canon dealerships starting to carry our product.
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
If you are referring to Canon Solutions America (former Oce), then yes Canon has been protecting their investment since day 1!
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Originally Posted by Christi: Art, Yes, Ricoh's ROE is serious business. If you're not seeing that in your territory, you need to contact their MVP, or even Mr. Brodigan himself, immediately. I've seen him take the matters into his hands personally. When you are moving half our gear a year, you hold more cards then you think. How Canon can afford not to is beyond me. I guess that's why we're seeing more Canon dealerships starting to carry our product. I too have seen personally very high...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
We've had issues with Ricoh finding (or try really hard to find) ways around Rules of Engagement. One example I will use is a former customer I had that had all of their local Ricoh MFP placements with me but had a few old units from Xerox locally & several Ricoh units in a different market from RBS. The customer was looking to upgrade a Ricoh machine that I had placed a few years earlier. Ricoh went in and gave them pricing that was 25% lower than I could offer, & when we brought up...
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Frankly in my experiences the vendor (oem) will try to obtain the business , then negotiate with the dealer if they are unsuccessful going direct. Sounds like the game plan they employ.. Suggest working those things out prior to channel conflict. Long range consequence tends to upset customer who then selects another manufacturer altogether. Best wishes to those who encounter these circumstances... Try settling before not after..
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
We have been very pleased with Ricoh's commitment to the ROE. We even got full credit for a sale that RBS made after we brought the discretion to Ricoh's attention.
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Re: Canon Business Systems Pulling a Ricoh
Where I work its the opposite. Canon and Canon dealers have no rules of engagement. However, dealers are typically 20% less than Canon direct.
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Re: New Ricoh Signature Series Color MFP's on the Web
Agree with your comments. Take a look at the Savin website, Lanier website, and the Ricoh USA website. The Savin website is in need of a major update...
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Re: New Ricoh Signature Series Color MFP's on the Web
Age old channel conflict issue. Does Ricoh Employ a dealer council. Might be a good idea to forward your thoughts to them. Best of luck and good selling...
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Re: New Ricoh Signature Series Color MFP's on the Web
Ricoh does employ a dealer council and would not know how to make that connection right now
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Re: New Ricoh Signature Series Color MFP's on the Web
Dealer sales rep may be able to assist?? Best wishes...
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Re: New Ricoh Signature Series Color MFP's on the Web
Get a quote from a Ricoh Professional...Now that's funny. But don't worry the dealers are the most important part of Ricoh's strategy and plans going forward. They can't even update the Savin or Lanier site. Being a Savin dealer I have people rather frequently who go on the site and are turned off by how old and outdated it looks.