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New H3D

People shop price at big impersonal outlets, and then complain when they get what they paid for... no personal service. My Imacon rep is local, I paid the higher price to get the attention I need. When I sprung for a 949 scanner>

There are only a few authorized dealers in southern California, and there are no discounts, the prices are controlled by Hasselblad nationally.

The reps here are dealing with large account customers. When I purchased my 203FE kit from one of the very few that handled the 200 series cameras. They handed me the bag and I was on my way. Then I had to return because the rubber focus ring was missing on the lens. They ordered one and sent it to me and a few days later I installed it. The lens would not transmit the correct aperture above f8. So, I returned again and their in house Hasselblad tech could not repair it. Luckily the pro department manager talked the Hasselblad rep into letting me exchange it instead of sending cross country. The aforementioned was more difficult, time consuming, and risky to take care of as I was only able to go there in the evening (rush hours in LA). So, Marc you to are fortunate too. BTW I don't think you would be considered a large account customer here.

Good Shopping:

Gilbert
 
Yes, hardly a large account customer anywhere Gilbert ... I'm just one guy.

My experience with Leaf has been similar, although not as much from the re-seller as from the Leaf rep. He sells them by the dozens to institutions and such, but has been on the case every time I've needed assistance. So IMO, not getting lost in the shuffle speaks volumes for both these companies ... as it should be at this price point.

BTW, you should inquire about Hasselblad's loyality discount ( I think it's still around since I just got one)... it's from the company not the re-seller ... 10% doesn't suck. Plus my re-seller often offers incentives on top of that.

Maybe you should buy here in Michigan? I can give the name of the guy I deal with ... very knowledgable and seemingly well connected to tech support. He sells and supports Phase One also.
 
Thanks Marc.

A one guy professional has an edge over a one guy armature even with several systems. I don't have a problem with that. That is how it is today, and has been, business is business and there is only so much time and resources in a day, necessary priorities must be accounted for. I don't advocate ignoring the public at all. Customer service is job 1. (as Ford says) A provider business has to keep their day in day customers happy and well provided for. Years ago I practiced take care of the working guy, not the rich and famous. I use to say that I'll take care of the working man, the Governor can make other arrangements.

Every time I called Hasselblad I have been pleased with their response, their service department's willingness to tend to my needs in a professional and personable manner without regard to who I am, or how much time it takes, and that is well received by me. I have left messages and received return calls in short order. They have left me detailed messages answering my question and leaving their number if I had another question. If you are looking for a part or product, there is a very kind and helpful person there, that will not only try to provide it for you, but will also give you the name and number of the business owner who received it, or has it. She knows where it all went to.

Ten percent sounds real good to me. Thanks for the tip. I doubt that I will qualify.

I have been to Michigan including the upper peninsula, enjoyed it immensely. In the past year I have made several purchases from Adray's in Dearborn, as they slowly depleted their Contax and Hasselblad stock. Now, that I mention that, the owner is very personable, helpful, attentive and friendly. I was surprised when I called about a minor paperwork detail and he handled it himself. If he had some more new merchandise that I could use, I would buy from him again.

When I am in the market for a digital back I'll take you up on your offer.


Regards:

Gilbert
 
Next time I'm in LA on a TV shoot, I'll e-mail you Gilbert. I'll bring my "Sunny LA Yellow" 501CM and we can shoot some than have a beer : -)
 
Marc and Gilbert

Ohhhhh , great , i come and join you with my 503CX GOLDEN BLUE . Never ever used . Only looked at . She needs a walk and i would enjoy a shooting and a beer with you two guys . Then we are three . Three little dancing HASSELBLAD fans .
z04_dance00.gif
Regards Jurgen
 
Gentlemen:

Southern California can always use a little more sunshine, blue sky, and good sprits!

wink.gif


You Made My Day!

Thank You:

Gilbert
 
Gilbert James (Gjames52) wrote on December 04:

' 2006 - 9:20 pm,'
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There are only a few authorized dealers in southern California, and there are no discounts, the prices are controlled by Hasselblad nationally.







Gilbert:



Hasselblad does not control what dealers can sell product at. They only control the minimum advertised pricing (MAP). Dealers are free to sell at whatever price they can live with.



Price is important, but support on products that cost this much - more so. I can give many ex&les of situations where our customers needed that support - even years after purchase. Every dealer has a different perspective on pricing and a different perspective, committment, and resource allocation for the sale of these products.



It's best to purchase locally if the local dealer provides top service on these solutions. But that is not possible in many cases. In those situations, we recommend purchasing from the best dealer you can find. In our view, minimum requirements for a true MFDB dealer would be:



*maintains demonstration units to show the product and to provide to customers who have a hardware failure in an emergency.

*have a good relationship with the manufacturer - very important.

*offer 24/7 support.

*employ knowledgable staff dedicated to MFDB technology.

*demonstrate a true committment to the product line - now and in the future.

*provides a comfortable sales process, where listening and understanding are a priority.

*will bring product into your environment for demonstrations.

*will travel for demonstrations, installations and trainings.

*supports the product after the sale with software updates, and life-of-the-product assistance.



We have sold Imacon (now Hasselblad) products since 2003, and I am a former Imacon employee (please don't hold that against me. I also worked for Sinar - please don't hold that aginst me, either. We also sell Leaf and Sinar. The past 14 months have been a difficult time for Hasselblad, in our experience. A very difficult transformation period. But I believe they have moved past that, and we are seeing amazing things from the new product, heck, even from the old product - much of it software/firmware driven, and we expect to see more of that very soon.



This is my first post on this forum, and I hope it continues to maintain steady posting. In the meantime, if I can be of any help regarding Hasselblad information or issues, don't hesitate to contact me.



Thanks,

Steve



Steve Hendrix

PPR Digital

www.pratlanta.com
 
Steve:

Are you looking for customers?

Just how long have you been in business in Atlanta, GA?

Just who is WE in "we recommend"? Are those recommendations your business plan?

BTW-When I purchased my Hasselblad equipment years ago, just how much control did the Hasselblad rep have? And, photo events or no tax sales how much control did Hasselblad impose?


Gilbert
 
Gilbert James (Gjames52) wrote on January 10:

' 2007 - 4:59 am,'
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Gilbert:

I am involved with a number of forums concerning medium/large format digital back technology, some public, some private. You can view my post history on Luminous Landscape, and Rob Galbraith before that. As a dealer, participating in a forum for photographers can be a very fine line. I believe these forums are expressley for the photographers to share experiences, opinions and information. They are not places - or shouldn't be - for dealers to come and try to sell, or for anyone with an agenda other than sharing and informing.

I always try to honor that.

My participation is always "above board" - I want everyone to know who I am and what I sell. I don't want to provide an opinion or information that contains a hidden bias, etc.

Nick Tressider and I know each other pretty well also, from shared experiences on some of these other forums. He and I both put forth energy to provide clear information on Hasselblad technology and intents.

So, this, my first post on this forum, is just a starting place to establish who I am, and why I might say one thing or another. My reputation is pretty much that of someone who is informed, helpful, balanced, non-salesman-ish. I'm sorry if my first post came across in a saleman-ish way.

PPR, the company I work for, has been in business in Atlanta over 20 years. I have been with PPR and took over their high-end digital sales department in early 2003.

The recommendations I posted are certainly recommendations that a customer should expect from a dealer when purchasing $20K - $30K products. The nature of most photographer's work demands it. It's well known (and frequently posted) that quality dealers are hard to find. Sometimes it's not easy for someone to determine if someone is a quality dealer or not. They were nearby and they were friendly, so one assumes they'll support you properly. Perhaps they will, but that list of criteria is a good starting point for requirements of a partner to buy from. And, in the best situations, it truly is a partnership.

Regarding your Hasselblad equipment - I don't know exactly what you purchased. And I cannot speak for Hasselblad before the purchase of Imacon by Shirro. But Imacon management runs Hasselblad now, so I am speaking of Imacon management or Hasselblad after the Imacon purchase. With Imacon and now Hasselblad, since 2001 at least, dealers are provided with a contract that stipulates their purchasing cost from Hasselblad, among other criteria. Other than maintaining MAP pricing in their advertising, dealers can sell at whatever they wish.

If you bought your Hasselblad product from a dealer, the Hasselblad sales rep would have had no say whatsoever in what price the dealer sold it to you for, and whether tax was applied or not. I am not sure what you mean by "photo events", perhaps you could go into more detail there.

Gilbert, I am always looking for customers. Just as many photographers are, or anyone in business. And photographers do contact me from time to time whom I have never met, just from reading some of my posts "Steve, I read your post on...", etc. It's always kind of fascinating to get a call like that. It's a challenge to try and learn all about this person you have never spoken with.

But that's really not the purpose of my participation - it can be a nice by-product. But I'm not concerned with making sales from this forum - in fact, I have no expectation of it - sales from my primary marketing area (southeast USA) keep me plenty busy. My agenda is providing information on products that are difficult to get clear data on, and to provide real feedback as someone who uses them and compares them with other products on a daily basis.

Plus, I just enjoy discussing the technology and engaging with the very interesting people who do the same.

I am sorry for the very long response.

Thanks,
Steve Hendrix
 
Steve:

You don't know all the facts. You are long winded like a salesman, but I am not.

You directed your sales, business concept to me. You know nothing about my background, experiences, or the number of old Hasselblad reps, nor the Hasselblad personal that I have known over many years, nor the past business practices that have occurred here in the Los Angeles area. Nor, do you know how many of the store owners I know.

Gilbert, I am always looking for customers.>

Frankly, business lesson 101 you don't kick someone in the teeth and expect to sell them anything.

Plus, I just enjoy discussing the technology and engaging with the very interesting people who do the same.>

Did you add something about the HD3.

Gilbert

BTW patting yourself on the back won't gain my regards.
 
Gentlemen.. gentlemen.. I do not think that this public heated exchange adds much value to the list. Can you please take it off-list?

Much appreciated, Wilko
 
> Frankly, I couldn't see what Gilbert was getting his knickers in a > knot for!! I for one welcome anyone with input on the new > generation H3D etc - I sure am getting tired about fitting > lenshoods to prehistoric lenses!
 
PPR (where Steve is) is FAR from being a sales weasel environment. I have been there many times and have NEVER been pushed / cattle prodded or anything similar . . to buy anything. They have been very honorable and helpful. As a matter of fact, I was in the other day enquiring about a Nikon 9000 Scanner. I was told they could order it for me or I could "buy it immediately from BH for much less". THAT is not a place that is screwing people around and posting at forums JUST fishing for customers. BTW . . I don't know Steve or anyone else there by name. I am not involved in any way with them, just clearing up any misconceptions about what PPR is.
 
Dr. Elliot Puritz (Mahler_one) wrote on January 11:

' 2007 - 5:00 am,'
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Dr. Puritz:

PPR stands for Professional Photo Resources. My department uses the same name and adds "digital" just to indicate the focus.

I will indeed try to contact Gilbert off-line and see if we can come to a better understanding. I'm an easy person to get along with, and I'll make that my intention with Gilbert.

In the meantime, I hope discussion continues about things that matter - photography, and the tools and techniques used in achieving great results. The world of capture technology is an interesting place and I believe 2007 will prove to be the most interesting yet, with continued development of the H platform, and new medium format camera solutions (Hy6 and AFi).

Steve Hendrix
 
Take a Chill Pill Gill !!!
I have found Steve to be a useful member of the Luminous Landscape forum without being an intrusive or pushy sales-person.
I have never used his company nor am I likely to - being the other side of the planet - but welcome his comments and input to this sometimes quiet forum.
Welcome Steve... what took you so long?
happy.gif

Andrew
 
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