I wonder what would be the benefit for fractal/customers...
I think the price/quality of service/trust/efficiency ratio is probably optimal now just how it is.
I disagree. Service is very good, no contest there. Price wise G66 is a disaster as it basically costs me $900 more to order from them. And while G66 gives me free chocolates, Thomann gives me free shipping. I like chocolates, but I can get those for €5 in my local supermarket. I'll take free shipping any day over free chocolates.
Why Thomann ?
Never had chocolates with my orders by them.
A pack of Merci chocolates, which aren't exactly that expensive, costs me considerably less then shipping with G66. Thomann offers me free shipping above €100. I'll take the free shipping from Thomann and I'll buy the whole supply of Merci chocolates in my local store with my savings and probably
still have some money left over.
Thomann website offers a better experience compared to other online german musicstores and they have a greater choice in the high end stuffs. Otherwise why not Musicstore or Muzik Produktiv ?
I have always had an excellent experience with G66. So why change ?
Because Thomann tries to keep its prices down and offers free shipping? And because its good to have options? As in competition?
One could reasonably ask why you can't buy FAS gear at GC, or Sweetwater or other major US on-line music retailer.
I think we know that answer. Thomann is probably no different.
I have never bought from GC or Sweetwater, as I'm in the EU. But Thomann has always served me very well. And it would be nice to have options. G66 being the sole dealer of Fractal stuff in Europe is not exactly motivating them to keep prices down if you ask me. And I don't care where my product comes from, as long as I can get the best deal for me. That probably sounds harsh, but unfortunately money does not grow on trees for me, it took me a whole year to save for my XL+ so if I have to make ends meet in order to buy FAS gear I'll take it where its cheapest.
Not a touchy subject. Just a business model.
The Axe Fx III price would most likely jump to $2999.00 at Sweetwater.
A new III at G66 is already €2,799.00. Which according to xe.com is already $3,142.75. In which case at $2999 please bring it on Thomann! I'm still saving money!
G66 has a fantastic service. Couldn't imagine anyone doing it better.
Thomann has always served me well, so has G66. In which case why not have both do it? And get some competition going. G66 NEVER follows any of the FAS sales. Who knows, maybe if they have some actual competition going with Thomann they finally will?
That money in Fractal's pocket gives us years and years of support and development.
Use an Axe fx, you can play a firmware literally made today...
Sweetwater currently sells a TC Elec G-System for $1000, last firmware update September 2011
So is that now Sweetwater;s fault? Blame TC Electronic for that. Sweetwater is just selling what TC Electronic is offering them. Also the G-System is not a modeler like the Axe FX. It's just effects. If they sound right, do you need constant firmware upgrades for those as well? Does Boss now have to offer firmware upgrades for its effects pedals too?
I can imagine plenty of reasons for "why not" :
- Too much interaction with competitors (amp suppliers, effect suppliers, ...), so probably a less devoted servicewherewhere g66 is really focussed
- Why go elsewhere if you're actually with the best ?
Because it would be nice to have the option? You know, as in free market capitalism? If I can't order directly from FAS and are basically ordered by them to use G66, that's not free market capitalism, that's almost a monopoly. And monopolies are bad for consumers. Very bad. Money is tight for me. When I have to chose between $900 more, tasty chocolates and good service from G66, vs. less service, but with a significant lower price in ordering, I'll take my chances with the cheaper supplier. And since I know that Thomann is reliable then that's not even an option. I want to have the right the chose. Which currently I do not have.
