From djacques@csulb.edu Sat Aug 02 15:01:05 2008
Subject:Re: C1...Diversi

Also, the Hammond clone market is small with quite a few big name players.
To try to compete with these guys at Guitar Center may be futile and a waste
of product. It seems that they are aiming at the right market; working
musicians who are hip enough to be aware that there may be a superior
product out there and willing to pay a premium for it. So that is why I
suggested placing demos in higher end boutique stores around the country
like Gand and West LA Music.



But here is the rub: If indeed there is a backorder of units, what is more
important? Filling these orders and collecting $$$, or making demo units
that will take some time to distribute to stores and then wait for many new
orders to come in. Speakeasy also builds when an order comes in, but it does
not take them nearly as long. You can usually get a Speakeasy product in a
week or two. Once you ask a customer to wait over a month you may be in
trouble. We all want instant gratification.



_____

From: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of tonysounds
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2008 3:38 PM
To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CWSG] Re: C1...Diversi



They don't really need the chain stores if they have supply for the demand.
Look at Speakeasy; it's like being an indie artist: you don't sell as many,
but your profit margin is much higher, and you can have a better quality of
business without them. But like Speakeasy, you have to meet the supply, and
make some concessions (return policies albeit with a restocking fee; the
ultimate consumer relationship, etc.). But Diversi can't even give us a
time frame. That tells me they don't have them. And by Tom's own
admission, they're only filling back orders. So where's my incentive to
plop down some $$$?

They can thrive on internet/catalog sales, but they need to step up what
they're doing first, and being open (to a point) with its potential consumer
base (like here) is a start; but giving real information instead of "can't
talk about it right now/corporate espionage" stuff is a must.

T

"The meek shall inherit nothing." -FZ
"You don't get tone on a diet." -T
"Hitting 'play' does not constitute live performance." -T
www.myspace.com/tonyorant


--- On Sat, 8/2/08, Chuck net> wrote:

From: Chuck net>
Subject: Re: [CWSG] Re: C1...Diversi
To: CloneWheel@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2008, 2:52 PM

Take it a step further.
How many units do they turn out in a day/week/month/ year?
Sounds to me like it's one of those deals where they build it when it's
ordered.
Which means you still have to wait until your unit is built.
IMO, that's a very unstable business model.
It also means they don't have the resources to build 25/50/75 or 100 of them
and warehouse them.
That costs money and it's money that's not moving. It's sitting on a shelf.
And they don't do that because they're not selling which would create an
income stream.
Why aren't they selling?
No one can see one.
The guys at GC never heard of it.
It's a bad Catch 22.
Very Bizarre!

From: tonysounds
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2008 2:05 PM
To: CloneWheel@yahoogro ups.com
Subject: Re: [CWSG] Re: C1...Diversi

Yeah, Diversi is in a tough position, just like Voce or Speakeasy Vintage
Music. I think doing the little in-stores is a great idea, just think they
need to be a little smarter about it to get more folks in. But saying they
can't even give me a deliverable date on top of all the other issues just
makes me think it's just not gonna happen. "Only filling back orders now"
further raises a red flag. Probably just as well: if I played it and loved
it, I'd have to buy it, and then they'd never pry that unit out of my hands!

"The meek shall inherit nothing." -FZ
"You don't get tone on a diet." -T
"Hitting 'play' does not constitute live performance. " -T
www.myspace. com/tonyorant

--- On Sat, 8/2/08, Chuck wrote:

From: Chuck
Subject: Re: [CWSG] Re: C1...Diversi
To: CloneWheel@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2008, 12:59 PM

Tony,
Just a comment on your final line.
Several years ago I knew a guy who designed a guitar pedal that recorded
whatever guitar lick or phrase you play into it. It then played back the
phrase and you could play over the phrase, adjust the tempo etc.
Here's the problem AND my point.
He had an extremely hard time getting someone to manufacture his low order
numbers.
He had a hard time getting the quality he wanted and most of all couldn't
get the stock to get it in the stores because of the above. Therefore he
faced the same problem of being able to ever generate a fair amount of sales
and you just never saw his gadget in anyone's rig.
As a keyboard player, I don't buy stuff like this is unless it is really
amazing and is something so different that it adds something that I need to
my sound etc.
So amazing in fact, that I have to have it sight unseen.
I did buy the B4 sight unseen many years ago and even got an upgrade beta
version of it from NI.
It was indeed worth the small price I paid for it.
Diversi has got to get their numbers up so that players will use them in
public OR get them in stores in major markets.
If they can't do this they'll never crack great sales numbers.
Of course, that is merely an assumption on my part. Maybe they are happy
with the way they do business.
But what company stays in business without having their product on the
market?
Simple economics.
OTOH, they'll never be a major player in the keyboard market until they can
get numbers and visibility up.
I think they would be wise to do whatever is necessary within their business
plan and available resources.
If it's such a great piece of gear why can't they at least put out a few in
select areas for display.
I'd bet I could get in in the Dallas GC for display and demo.
GC pays for their demo models.
Would Diversi be able to ship 50 units today if they had orders for them?
I guess all of us chiming in on what we think they should do is irrelevant
if they don't want to turn their products.
I'm with you. If I can't sleep with it for a few days OR tickle it in a
store for a few minutes It's not on my "buy list".
Chuck

From: tonysounds
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2008 11:54 AM
To: CloneWheel@yahoogro ups.com
Subject: [CWSG] Re: C1...Diversi

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