Canon USA Removes 86 Authorized Dealers

This is quite an interesting article:

https://www.cpricewatc​h.com …ers-nearly-20-of-network/

I was surprised to see they dropped KEH, the Army & Airforce and also my local Dodd Camera Company. Wonder how this will impact actual sell prices.

"targeted towards smaller stores"... another blow to the small business owner.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #19011131
"targeted towards smaller stores"... another blow to the small business owner.

I know that's what they say but some of these I don't really feel are "smaller stores."

Sad, decades ago I used to patronize a very small dealer that specialized in serving the professional industry trade...just a few blocks away from the 'old reliable' store that had the consumer trade in one store and the professional trade in a store across the street down the block. They were a very reputable store with nothing but pro-oriented stuff. They were listed on the Canon chopping block. Probably too little sales volume of Canon due to inability to buy at as deep discounts from Canon.

Wilt wrote in post #19011192
Sad, decades ago I used to patronize a very small dealer that specialized in serving the professional industry trade...just a few blocks away from the 'old reliable' store that had the consumer trade in one store and the professional trade in a store across the street down the block. They were a very reputable store with nothing but pro-oriented stuff. They were listed on the Canon chopping block. Probably too little sales volume of Canon due to inability to buy at as deep discounts from Canon.

Sorry to hear that Phil - I've seen it happen here. My concern is what this all actually means, if anything, the next time I walk into my brick and mortar to either make a purchase or look at some gear?

I was just at the local Dodd camera store when i got my new camera bag.Looks like they added a handful back on Feb 18th.https://www.cpricewatc​h.com …ers-nearly-20-of-network/ UPDATE: Canon has published a new list as of February 18th, which adds back the military exchanges, and a few other dealers. We are told that these erroneous removals were “administrative errors”.

sssc wrote in post #19015047
I was just at the local Dodd camera store when i got my new camera bag.Looks like they added a handful back on Feb 18th.https://www.cpricewatc​h.com …ers-nearly-20-of-network/ UPDATE: Canon has published a new list as of February 18th, which adds back the military exchanges, and a few other dealers. We are told that these erroneous removals were “administrative errors”.

Thanks for the update sssc, I had no idea of the good news.

Of course it was an "administrative error," or a number of highly placed influential people really bitched about such shabby treatment after years of excellent sales and service.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #19011131
"targeted towards smaller stores"... another blow to the small business owner.

^^^^this ^^^^^

they want big retailers like B&H and Adorama to move their products. They move 20 times what Mom and Pops can. Smart on their part

umphotography wrote in post #19017104
^^^^this ^^^^^

they want big retailers like B&H and Adorama to move their products. They move 20 times what Mom and Pops can. Smart on their part

But is it really smart on their part - what do they really gain by "cutting loose" the smaller stores? I agree that the smaller store sells less, but a sale is still a sale. Maybe I'm missing something here.

I'm wondering what Canon's costs are to list a store as an Authorized Dealer? They state in the article that Canon is trying to reduce their administrative costs. I know that the DSLR market is in free fall and 2020 is predicted to be another bad year, but what does it really cost Canon to certify a store as an Authorized Dealer.

gjl711 wrote in post #19017140
I'm wondering what Canon's costs are to list a store as an Authorized Dealer? They state in the article that Canon is trying to reduce their administrative costs. I know that the DSLR market is in free fall and 2020 is predicted to be another bad year, but what does it really cost Canon to certify a store as an Authorized Dealer.

My point exactly gj - maybe it's just a few lines of code in a database, or one travel visit/year to the store. If it's the latter, then change that to a skype call but don't cut them off. There is still a benefit to the customers - past, present and future.

sapearl wrote in post #19017297
My point exactly gj - maybe it's just a few lines of code in a database, or one travel visit/year to the store. If it's the latter, then change that to a skype call but don't cut them off. There is still a benefit to the customers - past, present and future.

There has got to be more to it than that. I've read that Canon is aggressively trying to cut costs as the market for cameras continues to shrink. (they stated that in their annual report). Maybe they had 20 people or so who's job it was to visit each dealer quarterly and they cut the staff to 10. (just guessing) Somehow it's got to be saving Canon $$$

Retail is on its death bed. Malls are closing down Sears, JC Penny, Macy, Broadway are all going away. Everyone has a smartphone and everyone buys on Line.......smart move by Canon......Retail has seen its day. I think in 10-15 yrs, malls will be a thing of the past

umphotography wrote in post #19017425
Retail is on its death bed. Malls are closing down Sears, JC Penny, Macy, Broadway are all going away. Everyone has a smartphone and everyone buys on Line.......smart move by Canon......Retail has seen its day. I think in 10-15 yrs, malls will be a thing of the past

There you go making all-inclusive generalizations again. Of course malls are having huge problems and anchor stores are closing. But have you seen all the new life-style areas with mixed retail, brick and mortar as well as residential that are popping up? Those serve a purpose and people are still buying.

Retail still has its place and online isn't the answer for everything. There is something called "service" that many of us enjoy paying a few more cents to get, with a smile and some hands-on advice at our local brick and mortar. It's actually a lot cheaper than having to send the wrong thing back after I've misinterpreted something online - my fault - or I'm given bad information - their fault. Many times the helpful local sales people have steered me in a much better direction with a superior result.

An excellent example of this is Microcenter. They are nationwide and I have the good fortune to live near to one. The sales reps and techs there are golden, they have saved me tons of money, given great advice and have a wonderful return policy. Mike, I'm sorry you live in an area where retail has been hit so hard. But don't use your broad brush to paint my area with the same absolute conclusion. You don't have all your facts.

I still love my local camera store even that they had to move 3 times in the last 2 years.I love being able to see touch feel what i am buying.Just like when i got my new camera bag i was able to lay out the 3 bags i was looking at and be realistic about what i thought i needed and what i really needed.Hard to make some buying decisions online at least for me.