09-Jan-2020, 01:43
(This post was last modified: 09-Jan-2020, 01:54 by musialsuspect.
Edit Reason: additional info
)
In some ways, it's about perspective and purpose.
I walked into one of the three NYC Devialet stores last month...the one that advertised they carried Expert Pros. It turns out that they were no longer on display. I engaged the employees in conversation about the Expert Pro Line, and they had nothing new to offer.
I took a step back...asked to hear the Phantoms...got a demo. The conversation changed. It's clear. The Devialet retail stores are fit for purpose, that is, built around the more accessible Phantoms and designed for the walk-in trade and the curious. The marketing's all about Phantom buzz. The Expert Pro line is offered through audiophile dealers. Makes perfect sense, given the relative price ranges, but I hadn't actively thought about it.
The staff at the Soho store was friendly, helpful and answered some questions for me about Pro architecture. They also read 'Chat now and again. (Hi, guys. Nice meeting you last month!)
My message to Devialet is: I understand your marketing and sales approach. I also see that you've invested in getting Expert Pro product into the hands of some reviewers, and those reviews are beginning to appear. So it's clear you see a market for your product. But you need to better understand its needs and how to meet them.
If you want a more mutually productive relationship with your audiophile customers but don't feel it's effective to engage with us through your support network, perhaps you should consider leveraging your dealer network and sharing your 2020 plans and vision for the product line. It doesn't really help those who bought Devialets through second-hand sales, but it's a start. Your dealers and your customers would appreciate the effort and the information. And, idealist that I am, perhaps it would lead to more effective broader communication via your site or through leveraging the email information you have for us via our registrations.
...which leads to another thought. Perhaps you could use that email list to send us an 'opt in' communication for future product communication. Here in the States that's required. Perhaps not in the EU and elsewhere.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
I walked into one of the three NYC Devialet stores last month...the one that advertised they carried Expert Pros. It turns out that they were no longer on display. I engaged the employees in conversation about the Expert Pro Line, and they had nothing new to offer.
I took a step back...asked to hear the Phantoms...got a demo. The conversation changed. It's clear. The Devialet retail stores are fit for purpose, that is, built around the more accessible Phantoms and designed for the walk-in trade and the curious. The marketing's all about Phantom buzz. The Expert Pro line is offered through audiophile dealers. Makes perfect sense, given the relative price ranges, but I hadn't actively thought about it.
The staff at the Soho store was friendly, helpful and answered some questions for me about Pro architecture. They also read 'Chat now and again. (Hi, guys. Nice meeting you last month!)
My message to Devialet is: I understand your marketing and sales approach. I also see that you've invested in getting Expert Pro product into the hands of some reviewers, and those reviews are beginning to appear. So it's clear you see a market for your product. But you need to better understand its needs and how to meet them.
If you want a more mutually productive relationship with your audiophile customers but don't feel it's effective to engage with us through your support network, perhaps you should consider leveraging your dealer network and sharing your 2020 plans and vision for the product line. It doesn't really help those who bought Devialets through second-hand sales, but it's a start. Your dealers and your customers would appreciate the effort and the information. And, idealist that I am, perhaps it would lead to more effective broader communication via your site or through leveraging the email information you have for us via our registrations.
...which leads to another thought. Perhaps you could use that email list to send us an 'opt in' communication for future product communication. Here in the States that's required. Perhaps not in the EU and elsewhere.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Audiolab 6000CDT, Innuos Zenith MK II, Roon, Synology NAS, D250 Pro CI, Graham Audio Chartwell LS6f, Thorens TD-160, Pickering XV-15 1200e
