tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4734830559796197063.post9208773707047921509..comments2024-02-22T23:31:27.818-06:00Comments on The Death of The Copier: The Death of the Copier Dealer - Rise of the "Hybrid"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4734830559796197063.post-32589356606246025992008-09-03T21:59:00.000-05:002008-09-03T21:59:00.000-05:00Jeff,Thanks for your post, and yes...you have a fi...Jeff,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your post, and yes...you have a firm grip on what will happen - out of necessity and survival.<BR/><BR/>The New Channel, is already evolving - we now have Early Adapters and Old School "gear-slingers".<BR/><BR/>We shall seeGreg_Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10110815199532873459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4734830559796197063.post-70565687669787919202008-09-03T18:21:00.000-05:002008-09-03T18:21:00.000-05:00I completely agree with you both on this. When ev...I completely agree with you both on this. When everything became digital, it took many dealer some time to make the adjustment. Now that these devices are becoming communication hubs, the copier dealers will need to change. The stronger dealers will be able to adjust, but how long will it take? I think that the dealer community will need to start developing themselves into more of a VAR than a copier dealer. If they don't, they will start to see profits dwindle. I work for a copier manufacturer, but before that I worked for a computer reseller. I would sell equipment at or just above landed cost. I would do this to get the services revenue. The services piece would give me 40-50 points of margin on my deals. When I went into the copier field, I was amazed at the margins being made on the hardware. These margins are now down to 10-15 points on larger deals. If a dealer is going to be profitable, becoming a "Hybrid" dealer will be their only option.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4734830559796197063.post-8311512633181753902008-08-25T17:18:00.000-05:002008-08-25T17:18:00.000-05:00Chuck,Thanks for chiming in...it is interesting is...Chuck,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for chiming in...it is interesting isn't it - I have seen something like this before in the PC industry back in the "Day".Greg_Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10110815199532873459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4734830559796197063.post-38610291077609695452008-08-25T15:43:00.000-05:002008-08-25T15:43:00.000-05:00I will agree with Ed and yourself, I work for a sm...I will agree with Ed and yourself, I work for a small independent copier dealer and see the how the industry and its customers are changing. It used to be the buyer or owner would make the decision to purchase a copier, now I see a lot more IT and regular users having a bigger role in the decisions.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I also see most small Copier Dealers still offering there products as products, I think because there afraid of the technology and what it takes to handle all aspects of selling New Age Copiers. It used to be just selling copiers, now it is not just a copier but a MFP, Scanner, Printer, Fax all-in-one and customers want a company that can handle all aspects of there purchase. IT Service and Support. I used to consider myself a copier salesman now I think I am more of an Office Technology salesman since my prospects and customers want more than just a copier.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01596788511896477053noreply@blogger.com