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McIntosh Marketing Question. . .

ron-c said:
Actually we have been working on a new web site that is supposed to launch in the spring. I have not seen the finished product yet but it should be good.

Thanks,
Ron-C
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I look forward to this. I have designed a number of commercial websites. This is no easy task. There are many audio sites that look a lot better, but do not contain nearly as much information. I hope all the information remains, particularly the owner's manual downloads. Better news updates and much better images (the ones on that Australian site are sensational) would be terrific.

Now let's give these guys a break until the new site launches. Ron, be ready for some serious critiques!

JR
 
If McIntosh is doing a new website, why not give us a chance to preview/debug it before it replaces the current production website? This group is certainly not shy about providing comments ...
 
rlrct said:
If McIntosh is doing a new website, why not give us a chance to preview/debug it before it replaces the current production website? This group is certainly not shy about providing comments ...
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When? :saywhat: Goodie and with all you- good guys feedback, surely I will have a nice feast time for my eyes ...... :thmbsp:
 
Pioneer, yes they are in business and surely making some of the best products in their history. Sansui is just a fond memory for now.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
ron-c said:
Pioneer, yes they are in business and surely making some of the best products in their history.

Thanks,
Ron-C
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I hope you are being facetious.:D
 
No, not at all. We often talk at shows and as companies have many common interests technology wise. Lots of good folks over at Pioneer.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
ron-c said:
No, not at all. We often talk at shows and as companies have many common interests technology wise. Lots of good folks over at Pioneer.

Thanks,
Ron-C
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Hi Ron,

How about Accuphase? Often touted as the Japanese version of McIntosh?:D
 
I've heard of the TAD product line, and it seems like excellent equipment. I also have little doubt that there are some great folks over at Pioneer, but most of the everyday gear they sell nowadays is garbage. Unreliable and difficult to repair. A far cry from the products they produced in the 1970's.
If you are a tech, but not an authorized SS, you can't get any information or parts support. One of the requirements to become an authorized SS is that there must be a certain volume of sales in your area, I don't remember the exact figure, but it's around $3.2 million. Pioneer is not alone in their policies, and when my customers, aquaintances, or friends ask for my opinion on what they should look into when they are shopping for new equipment, I do my best to steer them away from Pioneer and companies that do business in a similar manner.
I have to say I like doing business with McIntosh (small peanuts in the scheme of things), it's great when a real person (better yet a real person who actually has clue, not some mentally challenged teenager) answers the phone.
 
Very interesting thread, many good points have been raised.

In Belgium, McIntosh products cost almost a third more than in the USA because of import tax/handling duties, and VAT...so much for free trade...and of course distributor mark-up...so the decision to purchase McIntosh products was not an easy one to make, I had to make sacrifices.

I just wanted to testify that Ron and Chuck made the difference for me...their patience and approachability are priceless.

Look forward to the new website.

Some kind of future roadmap (especially with regard to RoHS products) would be greatly appreciated though :scratch2:
 
I agree for 100% on what JEM666 says.Lot of import Taxes here in Belgium.Where happy to have lots of information true this forum because dealers that can provide you with information about new products are hard to find in our country.
Also I think we learned a lot from other members like our Masterlu & PHC1
 
That's great news about a new Website.

The real issue has not been so much about the Website itself, but rather the lack of keeping it up to date. Will the new Website be managed and updated more consistently and frequently? The lack of updating might also be because McIntosh is using a third party (Web Services US) that charges for updates. If so, are you switching vendors that charge on a monthly basis with no fee for self-updating?
 
My biggest concern with McIntosh is not the product but the dealers who have little knowledge of what they actually have to offer! I realize bigger cities probably have better dealerships as they have a much larger population base and therefore, a broader spectrum of buyers interested in both HT and 2Channel, Solid State as well as Tube equipment.

The sad part is I learn much more because I am part of this forum as I believe overall, I have a broader knowledge than many of the dealers in snmaller marketplaces! Realizing they carry a broad based product line and can't be experts on everything, it would sure be helpful is some continuing education was required to maintain a dealership (there may be but it needs to be annually to convey your vision).

One small step may be to ENCOURAGE that the dealers become part of the AK family as I believe it would give them a much better insight as to our concerns and they may actually enjoy the banter that passes theough this forum!

Information is key here and I think my frustration is the fact that I cannot even sem to get new info on the MC-275 V that I am looking for when visiting the website. It has been shipping for a month now and until someone finally posted some info from CES, I didn't even know there was a new 275! Had I been looking to match an existing unit and recived the new version, I am not sure I would have been very happy.

Ron, we understand you are but one individual in the chain but I am sure you will pass on our concerns to the powers that be.

Thanks,

Barry
 
Some small things McIntosh can do:

Blogging: Ron-C and perhaps one more person from the brain trust should have perhaps a blog on the main website.

More photography: McIntosh gear looks cool, and BIG pictures help vs. the teeny-tiny ones on the website

Placement ads: McIntosh does not seem to advertise much if at all on websites, which is an avenue it should consider exploring to gain more "net" presence

Product FAQs - Insider Tips: It seems that every time a new product is announced or is just released, people have lots of questions. Formalizing that Q&A thru the website may help
 
Jerry,

Everyone usually gets along in the industry. We all have the same issues and of course you never know who you will be working for next. Consumers are more passionate about minute differences than the industry people.
In the high end most everything is high quality regardless of brand.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
ron-c said:
Jerry,

Everyone usually gets along in the industry. We all have the same issues and of course you never know who you will be working for next. Consumers are more passionate about minute differences than the industry people.
In the high end most everything is high quality regardless of brand.

Thanks,
Ron-C
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Hi Ron, thanks for the kind reply. Yes, I do understand especially the part you mentioned "you never know who you will be working for next", .... :scratch2:

Its the same for me too and I believe for almost everyone else in this forum who are employees .... :yes:

Quality is what sells, be it service, products or anything - and to me, McIntosh quality is legendary, not to mention the service and response. To this, I must add that Ryan of Audio Classics is one fine example of a highly customer oriented personnel. My deal with him on the MC2000 (and the MCD7005/MAC4100) in December/early January could not have beem more pleasant and joy!:thmbsp:

Cheers!:D

P/S - Owned Accuphase products before, the T100 tuner, CDP60 CD player and the P550L power amp. Great products too.
 
william.keith said:
Quote: ron.c

"In the high end most everything is high quality regardless of brand."


Finally, someone with creditability admits it.
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High quality doesn't guaranty that the sound will fit a particuliar taste ;)

But yes, it is the kind of comment that shows ron's credibility!
 
The fact that Ron.C is a permanent member of this forum is great marketing itself and best way to get voice of customer. you must be really busy...

For me it's much more important, what the strategic direction of Mcintosh is. Whether they try to grow (increase sales figures) or remain in the upper price segment with high quality equipment. moving in a direction such as BMW years ago when they tried to sell more cars, they lost exclusivness because there were simply too many on the streets. For me Mcintoshs reputation and brand image offers me a feeling of being an insider and part of a community. That's very much ok.

And as an European with those crazy prices for Mcs over here, I'm almost a lonely cowboy....
 
booter said:
The fact that Ron.C is a permanent member of this forum is great marketing itself and best way to get voice of customer....
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I would certainly agree with that. I find myself wanting to buy some newer Mac gear to go with my 70's stuff.
 
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