ZM disappeared from Cameraquest

[Jerevan]

On the online order page Zeiss Ikon lists at €1,257.76 ex. VAT. So given the prices CQ and Robert White has had it's a bit more expensive, but about half the price of a new Leica (here in Sweden at least). But hey, I've probably bought too many cameras this year already, so... 😀

 

[Captain]

Maybe a bit of people power is in order. An email to Zeiss letting them know how valuable Stephen has been in promoting rangefinders including there own perhaps?

 

[dogless]

I was recently in the market for a ZI but after considering the service issues and the re-sale value, I decided to buy a mint- M6 classic for $1000.00 USD. Buying direct from Zeiss now means paying $1600.00 plus for the camera while mint- M7’s sell for 1900-2000 USD. Perhaps controlling the sales of the ZI though Zeiss direct the company projects an image of a product that has greater exclusivity and quality rather then through grey market re-sellers that are selling the product next to the Cosina product line.

 

[PRJ]

I wonder if anyone is considering that by cutting out the middle man (Hasselblad) they might be able to lower the price because they are lowering their costs. We might get a surprise out of this in several months. We all know that they are not going away.

 

[Jerevan]

It says on their distributor page that "Cosina will remain our distribution partner in Japan."

 

[troym]

Got a personal reply back from Stephen at CQ just after midnight last night (EDT) and Zeiss has apparently been "strongly encouraging" non-direct sellers to bail out of the market. He has some stock left at the old prices, so if you want one get yer order in NOW before they're all gone! Guess Zeiss wants to kill the gray market and suck up all the lovin' themselves directly!

Zeiss has been "strongly encouraging" non-direct sellers to bail out of the market? I hope Gandy doesn't own a racehorse!

Basically, this is Zeiss's attempt to dry up the (cheaper) grey market product availability, right--effectively a price hike for the average buyer?

 

[sdai]

Really? Distributors are not your competition, they are your partners. Otherwise, Canon and Nikon would have cut off B&H years ago.

A parallel importer being the friend of the "official" distributor, come on ... then why do people bother signing up contract securing their "exclusive rights" ? 😀

That being said, CameraQuest may not be interested in signing up the "official dealership at all ... guess what, he probably has to stock up at a higher than warehouse/factory price with guaranteed annual sales volume, burn his profit on advertising, hiring service people ... and end up with making no money at all.

 

[Socke]

Hold your horses everybody! Zeiss is setting up an international network of distributors. They apologize for any inconvenience. Let's give them some time to get organised!

I'm pretty sure Zeiss was not happy with Hasselblad as a distributor. The Hasselblad dealer here has no ZI body or lenses and is not willing to order them anywhere.

 

[Socke]

A parallel importer being the friend of the "official" distributor, come on ... then why do people bother signing up contract securing their "exclusive rights" ? 😀

I had one of those contracts with Tektronix, once. We had four of their printers as demo equipment and got 20% on list.

Three weeks later Tektronix made deal with Ingram Micro and any dealer could get the printers 25% under list. So we had the cost and others the sales :-(

 

[Mazurka]

I wonder if anyone is considering that by cutting out the middle man (Hasselblad) they might be able to lower the price because they are lowering their costs.

"Able" and "willing" are two different things, I'm afraid. :bang: Zeiss probably figures the "full price" still undercuts Leica by a large margin and decides that there is no need to lower it. Moreover, the ZI will only become more attractive with time, considering Leica's semi-annual price increases.

I'm pretty sure Zeiss was not happy with Hasselblad as a distributor. The Hasselblad dealer here has no ZI body or lenses and is not willing to order them anywhere.

So true. And that's not the only Hassey dealer who refused to order or even mention the ZI line.

 

[Socke]

Just had a look at the ZI webshop, they have to list prices incl. VaT in germany!

This can be a reason for a nasty and expensive letter by a dealers lawyer, with the webshop for endusers they are competing with every photo dealer who has a webshop.

 

[MacDaddy]

See Jorge's thread on Getting a ZI before they disappear

See Jorge's thread on Getting a ZI before they disappear

The bottom line, folks is this: if you want to save money on a ZI or the ZM lenses, e-mail Stephen and/or others and get a listing of what they have available before they sell through! There are MANY reasons why a company might want to "kill" the gray market and one of the main ones none of you has talked about is the possible legal liability from a purchaser who believes they have gotten a defective product that isn't being backed up by the gray market seller. (Which does NOT apply to Stephen, Popflash and others who sponsor this site)
Under US law and those of many states, plus many EU contries, that purchaser is entitled to legal redress and financial compensation against the manufacturer in the event of a defective product. This may not be (and probably isn't) the ONLY reason Zeiss is pressuring the unofficial sellers to cease, but in a country as litigious as the US, it's certainly a very good one! Just some food for thought before this discussion gets out-of-hand.

 

[back alley]

i believe that both nikon & canon refuse warranty service on any grey market purchases.

frankily, i'm waiting to hear directly from someone in the know, like stephen or tony before even getting close to a judgement on any of it.

joe

 

[jano]

frankily, i'm waiting to hear directly from someone in the know, like stephen or tony before even getting close to a judgement on any of it.

It's funny how neither has responded to this. I know they've occasionally posted here. Either they are sitting back, reading this thread and laughing, or what? *shrug*

 

[back alley]

your guess is as good as mine.

 

[back alley]

excellent news!

many thanks tony!!!

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I wonder if anyone is considering that by cutting out the middle man (Hasselblad) they might be able to lower the price because they are lowering their costs. We might get a surprise out of this in several months. We all know that they are not going away.

Zeiss cuts out the middle man (Hasselblad) so that Zeiss can pass on that saving to us ... yes, that would be a 'surprise' indeed 😀

I hope you're right Patrick 😉

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

We are still going strong with Zeiss ZM and ZF goods from three different suppliers. I really do not think that Zeiss Germany can put the squeeze Popflash.Photo.

If the consumer have the need to buy Zeiss at USA pricing, more power to their pocket book.

We paln to be around for many years offering great prices with the best Customer Service.

Tony

Tony,

If I weren't married already, I'd give you a kiss ... hell, I still might 😉 Thanks for the great news.

 

[MacDaddy]

So ask Stephen like I did!

So ask Stephen like I did!

This makes Stephen Gandy's cryptic remark all the more perplexing. There is more to this CameraQuest story than meets the eye . . . or than has bee said.

The simple solution is to e-mail Stephen and ask him like I did! He may not tell you any more than he did me, and I'm CERTAINLY not at the top of his list of confidants! If he chooses to enlighten any of us further, so be it! If not, well, we can all speculate until you-know-what freezes over. Whatever is or has happened between Stephen and Cosina and/or Zeiss (IF ANYTHING!) is his business and I believe he'll tell us more if he wants; right?

 

[David Murphy]

Carl Zeiss was founded in 1846 and has managed to sell a little glass since then. Despite our buring desire here for bargains, this longevity probably indicates pretty good business sense when it comes to them deciding how best to sell their products.

With all due respect to Camera Quest (and plenty is genuinely due), I think Zeiss will fare just fine.