Yeah New Zealand is a very nice place. I would live there no question.
But I was born here and I have some kind of national pride or what so I don't go. I like to live here and speak my mother language which is so special that nobody understand it :-)). And I love that we have a 1000 year of history etc...
rockjano wrote:
Now if we all can forget this political talk (which I think is not appropriate in this forum).
I live not simply in Europe but in Eastern Europe where you get paid about 1/5 for the same job than in richer parts of Europe and I pay the same tax, prices are the same, oh yeah and there is no 1 month holiday I have about 3-4 days every year. Everybody is working like creasy just to feed their family...
But enough of complaining I just want to buy PLM I think it is great I just could not afford shipping, that is my only problem.
I see that Paul tried to have a European distributor just they were cheating him, that is awful, but please don't give up!!! I don't think that shipping must be that much, and I don't think that European regulations could be that problematic, we have a lot of small company here how import lot's of chinese and koren lightening stuff, directly from china and korea. If they have to use airplane than the shipping cost is a lot if there is a bigger order they transport it with ships and than it is a lot-lot less (but it is sloooow). And they sell quite a lot. Nobody use UPS of course just too expensive.
Honestly if there would be a chinese company how would make something similar than the PLM I would already bought it. If it will be successful they will copy it in no time, we all know that. They are great copier.
So the best would be to arrange some European distribution. If it will cost 20-30% more than it is OK. If the price will be double than nobody will buy it.
Thanks
jano
...Show more →
I have great sympathy for easter Europeans. What you are suffering is trying to crawl back to balance after being destroyed by years of promised utopia - an unachievable state. We in America are under that threat right now.
As for costs for our products, given conventional global distribution, they would indeed come closer to doubling in price and the level of service would collapse. I wrestle with this every day and simply can't justify destroying what we are able to bring to our US customers for the sake of becoming just another global corporation. I wish I could serve the world on the same basis as I am able to serve America but there are too many obstacles I can't control.
And yes, the Chinese are great copiers, but are no good innovators.
America was not born successful. Our forefathers endured much of what eastern Europe is enduring today, but we crawled out of it built a great and free society. But our people have largely forgotten this and are being lured by the same promises of unachievable utopia that has destroyed many societies.
rockjano wrote:
Yeah New Zealand is a very nice place. I would live there no question.
But I was born here and I have some kind of national pride or what so I don't go. I like to live here and speak my mother language which is so special that nobody understand it :-)). And I love that we have a 1000 year of history etc...
I just want to buy PLM :-)))))
Amen. I too considered New Zealand but stayed here for the same reasons you stated. Most people stay in their birthplace for similar reasons.
I know this is OT, but so much on FM gets OT , but as you are an employer in the US I would be interested in hearing how the two are related.
There are plenty of reason for the higher taxes in Europe but this is not one of them.
Actually, if one cannot see the cause and effect, one should study history and the results of social control/behavior. I don't have the time to explain it here. If you are happy with your social structure I have no argument with that.
trying to crawl back to balance after being destroyed by years of promised utopia - an unachievable state.
It was more anti-utopia :-))
We in America are under that threat right now.
Well I don't really think so, there is no other huge country who has a lot's of army on US soil, and can repress a revolution like at 1956 here (thanks god)
As for costs for our products, given conventional global distribution, they would indeed come closer to doubling in price and the level of service would collapse. I wrestle with this every day and simply can't justify destroying what we are able to bring to our US customers for the sake of becoming just another global corporation. I wish I could serve the world on the same basis as I am able to serve America but there are too many obstacles I can't control.
Sorry but I just don't really understand why it would double the price. I am no expert of course but many small company do that here. They have some kind of contract (or not :-)) they order something from abroad they pay it sell it here. Yes we have 25% VAT but that I can get back as a company. They have some margin but not 100%. Shipping is done by ships and trucks. You don't have to advertise. And nobody cares about EU regulation at least not here :-)))
I am not talking about conventional global distribution.
And yes, the Chinese are great copiers, but are no good innovators.
That is for sure!!!
America was not born successful. Our forefathers endured much of what eastern Europe is enduring today, but we crawled out of it built a great and free society. But our people have largely forgotten this and are being lured by the same promises of unachievable utopia that has destroyed many societies.
Well we have a government controlled health-care system (if you think about that) and it is a tragedy. It is a heritage from the socialist years, but cannot be changed. People are afraid that they loose the low quality but given system.
I am not sure that what Obama think about is the same. I think he is a smart guy. :-))
Paul Buff wrote:
Not true at all. This is misinformation. Our flash units and CyberSync products are totally manufactured in our plant in Nashville, or in our robotic assembly wing in Kansas. We only state Made in USA on our products that are indeed made here.
Of practical necessity, most fabric products and light stands are made in China, as is some of our metalwork and injection molds. On the contrary, the leading Swiss flash manufacturer clearly says "Swiss Made" on many of their flash units that are actually manufactured in India.
Also, to my knowledge, both Turkey and Cypress are part of the EU. Correct me if I'm wrong....Show more →
Thanks for clarification about US-made stuff.
Regarding Cyprus: the island is split between (Greek) Republic of Cyprus, which is EU member, and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The trade between TRNC and EU is tricky because of EU embargo (but it looks like there are some exclusions regarding seaport traffic).
By the way, I am trying to decide what I'd prefer to buy for use with single PLM for shooting portraits (optically triggered by 580EX II): QFlash trio (E-TTL II compatible, can be also used as main flash, but price is hard to justify for amateur), ABR800, X1600, or AB1600. Any suggestions and comparisons are appreciated.
And some more: it would be nice to have front diffusers with rectangular and window-like output. Something similar to what you offer for ringflash moonlight.
If you take a product we sell in the US for $100 and sell it to a distributor, he pays maybe $10 in shipping . Then he marks it up his $110 investment by 30% and sells it to the dealer or store for to $143. The store marks it up another 30% and sells it to you for $186. Then your government adds 25% VAT and you pay $232.50 in US dollars. And this doesn't include any duties or other import taxes your government may add.
This is conventional distribution. And this is based on ocean freight shipping. Since Hungary is a small economy, the dealer or the distributor cannot stock everything we make he probably won't have what you want in stock, so it will take a couple of months to get it - unless you pay for UPS/Fedex air shipment.
The distributor can be the dealer and the store in the same time. (You don't find a store here in this segment at all.) They don't put 30% usually less than that. Shipping cost is OK. 25% VAT yes but that comes back to my company account. If it is a company investment I can get the VAT back. (All photographers have their own company). The import tax is minimal.
I know small (I mean 1 or 2 person) companies how import from china direct, put 20-30% on it + shipping cost 10% and that's it. The VAT is not interesting. The end result is max 140% of the original price. If I order from you direct (via UPS) it is more than 200%.
But yes, the best would be a direct order and some form of cheaper shipping, even if it takes longer.
BTW I just ordered something from HongKong (OK it is only $40 and smaller) the shipping is free, it will be two weeks but I have time. They should have some special deal with their post company I don't know. I also ordered a flash bracket from England a month age shipping was also free, I know that is in Europe but still far away.
Ok I really don't want to bother you, I just know quite some people here how could be very interested here about your PLM.
It does not have any special mounting ring could be used to almost any studio flash. Here professionals use Hensel or korean stuff amateurs usually use chinese brands. A big light source like yours could be very interesting for a lot of people.
What's all this hate talk about brothels? I wish they were legal, publicly reviewed, subject to public health inspections, and widely available here in the US. Surely any true lover of personal freedom feels the same.
But back to the topic of photography, my son, Max, just turned one year old on August 20. He's my primary photographic subject, and I'm looking forward to shining some AlienBee MAX units on him. What's the latest information about Paul's new MAX? Mine is asleep at the moment, but y'all can view some of his images on my site.
I could have done the high-key stuff better if I'd hadn't been using my el-cheapo Excalibur lights to light the white seamless. At camera left is my beloved B800 with a seven-foot Photoflex Octodome, and over Max's head is my trusty B400 with Paul's gridded stripbox. I made the background a little brighter by using a gradient adjustment in Lightroom.
When Paul sets his MAX loose, I plan to buy a pair and a Vagabond. Paul, could you spare an update? Send me one in private if you don't want to take a pounding. I'd really appreciate it.
Sorry, I don't dare provide any pre release info on what I'm working on. I'll provide all details when I have a firm design and release date. It's coming along well under my design control and will offer even more than the AB Max. I actually have production ready AB Maxs, but I don't plan to release them because I'm not satisfied with the contracted design work. I'm ought a couple hundred thousand bucks and have taken a lot of static as a result of contracting the AB Max design.
Hey Paul, can I suggest - without telling you how to run your business - that you get some beta units out to independent testers like Ellis, plus some loyal bee fans, before actual release? Kind of like a Canon beta oif thew Canon 7, then they ramp up production behind the scenes.
Then you can have some of the test shots, publicity docs, etc. that people are asking for in this thread available pre-launch? Might save some "churning" online, as people use the units incorrectly, etc.
Suggested not as any kind of knock - peace!
Now can you guys fight again - that is the only entertainment around here.!
I decided to try to cause trouble without getting anyone yelling at me (in another threa.)
mmurph wrote:
Hey Paul, can I suggest - without telling you how to run your business - that you get some beta units out to independent testers like Ellis, plus some loyal bee fans, before actual release? Kind of like a Canon beta oif thew Canon 7, then they ramp up production behind the scenes.
Then you can have some of the test shots, publicity docs, etc. that people are asking for in this thread available pre-launch? Might save some "churning" online, as people use the units incorrectly, etc.
Suggested not as any kind of knock - peace!
Now can you guys fight again - that is the only entertainment around here.!
I decided to try to cause trouble without getting anyone yelling at me (in another threa.)
Cheers!
Michael ...Show more →
Fair suggestions, but with a big caveat. Development takes months and tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you then sent beta units and a tester doesn't like some aspect one must either throw away all the molds and development work to please him, and start over and spend more months and more multi-thousands of dollars, or send him a letter that says "thanks for your comments - we'll file them for future consideration."
We're not Canon and must rely on our own expertise (mine) and testing, then release the product. Every beta tester has a different idea of what a product should do, and they often have no idea of the cost/time effect of their suggestions.
Even if a Canon goes through this process, how often are their customers and the forums free of gripes about what they should have done?
Paul Buff wrote:
Even if a Canon goes through this process, how often are their customers and the forums free of gripes about what they should have done?
True! Those folks are lunatics. The new Canon 7 is to be announced Tuesday, based on solid leaks, and folks are already trashing it or buying it, or talking about the next releases ....
Everything has pros and cons. But even a few weeks and some solid examples - like Ellis and others are providing now - would help you control the chatter at release a bit more.
Tough balance - I don't envy you! At 51 I am too old for all that.
mmurph wrote:
True! Those folks are lunatics. The new Canon 7 is to be announced Tuesday, based on solid leaks, and folks are already trashing it or buying it, or talking about the next releases ....
Everything has pros and cons. But even a few weeks and some solid examples - like Ellis and others are providing now - would help you control the chatter at release a bit more.
Tough balance - I don't envy you! At 51 I am too old for all that.
Hang in there.
Best,
Michael
The chatter if OK - at least information and opinions get out there. I don't hide from controversy and like many, will stand up for what I believe.
51 and too old? Geez, I've got 22 years on you and raring to go in any direction.
Information and opinions were getting out there with your forum. If you don't want to hide from controversy and want to stand up for what you believe, please consider reopening it and having someone moderate it for you. I bet you can find a volunteer who'd do it for free (or in trade for gear).
Information would have yet another means to flow if you had a regularly updated blog. It'd be cool to read a daily journal of your new products' developments.
Is that umbrella reflector ready to ship? How close is Cyber Commander? Are you still supposed to receive the pre-production samples of your new beauty dish next week (week of September 8)? If you had a blog, I could find answers to these questions, plus a lot of other information, about my favorite line of professional studio lights and related accessories, and I wouldn't have to pester you here.
We have the 7" PLM reflectors but the vendor wasn't very accurate in punching the umbrella hole. We are having them punch out a bit larger locally. They should be ready next week.
The 22RHO beauty should be here next week - it's in air freight now. Already have pre production samples and they are great. I'm doing pix next week.
Third set of samples of 8 1/2" and 11" high output reflectors are due early next week, Production doesn't take long.
Cyber Commander is still in programming. I'm all over the programmer to get it done ASAP . We have actually produced about 1000 of them and they are waiting on program tweaks. It works, but is missing some functions. This is complex programming.
Hey Paul,
If memory serves me right, you wrote sometime ago that found a great high quality Chinese manufacturer. Now you say that their PLM fabrics pattern does not match your design, that umbrella holes in reflectors are not drilled properly... Is it really as good as you thought?
kosulin wrote:
Hey Paul,
If memory serves me right, you wrote sometime ago that found a great high quality Chinese manufacturer. Now you say that their PLM fabrics pattern does not match your design, that umbrella holes in reflectors are not drilled properly... Is it really as good as you thought?
Different vendor. I could only get one umbrella vendor (they do Photoflex too) to tackle the PLM.
Have sent PLM samples to two other China companies for future improvements. As it is said, they can copy and make it better, but can't innovate
, but as you are an employer in the US I would be interested in hearing how the two are related.
