Sad but True

[Tim Martin]

I also look to the DV shop for many pieces of production gear, probably not as much as I should. Terry is knowledgeable and has a great client base. He’s really changed the options here in Toronto, from just the large companies to more of a boutique sales shop. Side note, he does carry a lot of items in stock. Often I can get an item in stock with him that would be an order in at other locations. I haven’t checked, but I think it would be really sad if outlets like Henry’s or Vistek have had cameras demo cameras delivered.

Great post David, just wanted your not alone in your disappointment.

Tim

[Jim Blokland]

I noticed he’s even taken the HVX off his website…as usual, he had one of the most competitive prices in town.

Best, JIM.

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[Noah Kadner]

Everyone knows these cameras are in short supply. It’s reasonably prudent business give demo priority to stores with higher volume. The Mom and Pops always get screwed- check with Apple, Microsoft, Sony, et al…

[Brian]

“Everyone knows these cameras are in short supply. It’s reasonably prudent business give demo…. ”

not at all. it’s anti competitive. a single demo unit is fair–this kind of thing kills free enterprise. one day the mom and pop from “the dv shop” may be wearing name tags that say “wallmart”. how do you think panny would like dealing with wallmart? wallmart wouldn’t even buy the units, they’d consign them. ignore small business at your peril.

[David Battistella]

Just because we all know that mom and pops get screwed are we supposed to accept that it is OK?

I feel that this is an example of poor customer service as well. I know that Terry is an AJA and decklink dealer, that he sells many other brands. As part of their customer service AJA, SONY, JVC, DECKLINK, LOWEL, CANON, they all provide things for the store so that customers can see the product.

I thought Panasonic took the viel off the camera long time ago?

This is why I thiink it demonstrates no class and contempt for the very indy film makers they try so hard to sell to. Despite their efforts they aren’t in touch with that at all.

David

Peace and Love 🙂

[Tim Martin]

Noah,

I’d normally agree with you, because it is true. But, the DV Shop sells more brands (as David listed) to a specific demographic, the one that would actually buy the HVX. The larger stores we’re discussing (in gerneral) don’t even specialize in Video equipment. A lot of them are photography stores with a small video department, that 80% of is consumer.

We are talking about a store that only caters to the prosumer / professional video market in Toronto. I would have thought that it would be the exact place Panasonic would want to place a demo camera in. They are also one of the only players to have taken this stance with Terry.

Tim

[David Battistella]

Noah,

Tim is right. It’s not a typical place and it is really geared toward the exact market Panny strives to reach. Gear, is gear is gear and we can just shop around for the best prices and buy the products we want.

I’ve tried to make an effort to support small business because I am one myself. I have to say that the level of personal service and integrity a store owner like Terry has shown over the years has been a big thing for me.

I see Terry at FCP user group meeings, he is part of the community. To shun him insults all the good work he does and it does funnel into the (very small) community here.

I think that whether businesses are large or small they have to have their customers at the forfront of their mind. I am sure that not all the people at Panasonic are “bottom liners”. But occasionally the “holier than thou” culture does rear it’s ugly head. It is a collection of these small oversights that can add up to disinterest.

The beauty of the COW and these forums is that we can openly see and hear about the great or poor customer service that companies demonstrate (see Bob Zelin’s thouhgts on this in a forthcoming COW article) can affect how companies respond to their customers.

Like you, my next purchase will probably be an HVX and I can say that I have been happy with Panasonics products, but as a customer I also like to point out where they could improve the customer service experience in this very competitive market.

David

Peace and Love 🙂

[Frank Nolan]

Is there anything to stop Terry from actually buying a camera to have in his store? I mean if panasonic canada is limited to the amount of free demo models they can send out, then it would make sense, if the small shop owner is concerned about his customer base, that he just purchase a camera to have in the store so people could check it out and then if they wanted to purchase the product they could order through him and if the demand is there, I’m sure panasonic would have no problem shipping enough cameras to fill such a demand.

[Jan Crittenden livingston]

Hi,

Since I cannot say anything for sure about Canadian distribution but it sounds like you have really damned Panasonic, without even talking to them. As far as a demo camera, does that mean they would get one for free? to show for a couple of weeks and then send it back? Well that is pretty unlikely just as it would be here in the US. Email me off list for contact info in Canada and you can find out the real deal. It may be but from here it sounds like too much micro-managing to step over a small guys order.

crittendenj at us.panasonic.com

Best,

Jan

Jan Crittenden Livingston
Product Manager, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50, AG-DVX100
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems

[Tim Martin]

Jan,

I love how involved you are and the way Panasonic US is run, I think you guys are doing a great job. But, I’ve found there are huge differences in the way the two organizations are run. The Canada team is extremly supportive and have helped many organizations (including ones I’m involved in) with events and seminars. But, and I mean a big BUT. Sometimes they just plain suprise me. My orginzation needed an HVX 200 for a shoot and I spoke to the Candian Panasonic Reps for their suggestion on how to get one on time. They pushed me off to shops that had no idea of when they would be recieving cameras and when I suggested that we could get a camera package out of New York (Abel Cine love you guys) they quickly stated that they would not support that, expect no warrenty, that it was not a good idea at all and I should wait until one become available for me in Canada.

I can understand that it might be company policy to warrenty the product only in the country purchased. That’s not a problem, at the price Panasonic is selling the camera for I can afford a couple of shipping charges. But, it was the attitude that it was an almost idiotic idea for me to suggest getting a camera however I could with four weeks of shooting approching quickly.

I don’t think any of us are damning Panasonic without talking to them, I know David and I are both in contact with all of the reps in Canada on a regular basis. And I wouldn’t say on the whole either David or I are damning Panasonic at all, I know David swears by his DVX and I’m a huge supporter of the HVX 200 (already have 40 hours of great footage in three weeks). We’re just callling attention to and issue that has arised in Toronto.

With that all said I will be contacting Terry on Monday and offering my camera package for an event hosted at the DV Shop for his clients to see. We’ll see if he is interested.

Cheers,

Tim