Change in repair policy at Mamiya America

Paddleman wrote:
Please, What does MAC stand for?

I think

Mamiya America corp.

Nick

"Paddleman" wrote in message
...
Please, What does MAC stand for?
Gary

Mamiya America Corp.

quoting Karl W.:
What this probably means is that MAC is tired of providing a
complete marketing and distribution arm in the US for Mamiya products
(local stocking, advertising, service, expertise, trade show presence,
listening to the market, helping develop products, etc.) at
considerable cost, meanwhile the products are being brought in for
profit by 3rd parties who do not have these overhead costs.
end-quote:

My understanding is that this is NOT correct, meaning that due to the
ownership of the USA trademark for "Mamiya" by MAC, no third party
business or individual can import mamiya equipment into the USA for
resale as new equipment. Even individuals who import under their personal
exemption(s) are expected to retain the equipment for at least one year
before selling (as used, obviously).

The US Customs Service will enforce these protections at trademark owners
request. So it isn't likely that any significant amount of 3rd party
importation for resale in the USA is going on IMHO.

There may be a lot more direct importation including from overseas vendors
accessible via ebay and the internet, but that falls within the personal
exemption(s) arena, and not a third party in the USA profiting from direct
importations.

In any case, MAC has imported the mamiya 645E economy version and sold
with major advertising campaign for under $750 for many months - rather a
bargain for a decent 645 SLR with official warranty IMHO too ;-) The
price has now gone back up 20%, sorry 'bout that ;-) But we presume they
have done their best with this tactic to attract new buyers and
marketshare at the expense of other brands also facing declining market
sales?

The refusal to service mamiya equipment is likely to severely backfire on
Mamiya/USA, IMHO. Who wants to take a risk on buying some used mamiya gear
if it can't be serviced and repaired? Since mamiya/usa reportedly demands
serial numbers from repairshops requesting parts, per some reports, this
is likely to "chill" the enthusiasm for mamiya gear amongst used gear
buyers. Similarly, new gear buyers may wonder if their gear will have to
be sent back overseas if it turns out to be an "unofficial" import into
USA. All of this fear, uncertainty, and doubt about mamiya branded gear
will only help Mamiya/USA's competitors, esp. pentax and contax.

The other problem is the unfairness to overseas customers who come into
the USA with their equipment and expect to have it repaired here etc.

In short, I agree it is a really BAD idea, and likely to hurt MAC much
more than the modest losses from individual imports by saavy pros and
serious amateurs. Now the word is going out that you have to worry about
whether or not you can get your mamiya gear repaired in the USA or not.
This isn't a good market or time for raising fears about your product line

my $.02

bobm

--
************************************************** *********************
* Robert Monaghan POB 752182 Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas Tx 75275 *
********************Standard Disclaimers Apply*************************

"Bob Monaghan" wrote in message
...
quoting Karl W.:
The refusal to service mamiya equipment is likely to severely backfire
on
Mamiya/USA, IMHO. Who wants to take a risk on buying some used mamiya gear
if it can't be serviced and repaired? Since mamiya/usa reportedly demands
serial numbers from repairshops requesting parts, per some reports, this
is likely to "chill" the enthusiasm for mamiya gear amongst used gear
buyers. Similarly, new gear buyers may wonder if their gear will have to
be sent back overseas if it turns out to be an "unofficial" import into
USA. All of this fear, uncertainty, and doubt about mamiya branded gear
will only help Mamiya/USA's competitors, esp. pentax and contax.


my $.02

bobm

Bob I'll check on this tomorrow and get back to the group. I order parts
from MAC weekly and have *never* been asked for a serial number.