Korg Forums

jimknopf · Platinum Member Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Posts: 3374

It simply doesn't bother me.

If European prices would come even close to that nonsense pricing, my Kronos interest would immediately be cancelled, and I wouldn't show any more interest in the Kronos for years to come! In this case I would just order a Nord Stage 2 for live play and use software for the rest, and not change my gear for the next years. Simple as that.

Anyway: it has become crystal clear that the OP was more than justified.
Pure price chaos in Europe now, and many people in European forums will already panic and begin their personal search for alternatives, long before the Kronos even gets it's official price in Frankfurt.

A case of bad marketing strategy?

EvilDragon · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:49 pm Post subject:

orpheus2006 · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:19 pm Post subject:

jimknopf · Platinum Member Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Posts: 3374

I just noticed Music Store Cologne has not just posted the fantasy price: they have placed these offers on order! You can buy (preorder) a Kronos at this overpriced tag there!

Things are really getting out of control, and perhaps time has come for Korg to do something about the European situation. Official order placing at that price isn't exactly promoting Korg's reputation in favor of the new workstation, and this kind of news from one of the biggest German resellers will really spread fast.

dokido · Full Member Joined: 19 Jan 2011 Posts: 114

well then i keep my m3, kronos is not that important anyway, it had been fun though
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jimknopf · Platinum Member Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Posts: 3374

I just calculated that the Music Store tag would mean a more than 80% higher price compared to US-prices!
No tax and no custom duty will come remotely close to justify such prices.

I still don't see a reason for panic reactions, looking at the Frank Sawusch interview (he named an approximate 3000-4000€ price range).

But anyway Korg will probably lose customers, among those no longer waiting for April-May, soon as facing such price tags from big online resellers. European keyboarders will begin looking for something else right away, or at least check other directions soon, and be on the jump to quit the Kronos option.

orpheus2006 · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:23 pm Post subject:

sewa · Platinum Member Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 1293

Well in that case the options are private import or a return ticket to N.Y. Wink

4000 Euro for a 61 workstation, what are they thinking?
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vEddY · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:46 pm Post subject:

orpheus2006 · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:00 pm Post subject:

synthjoe · Platinum Member Joined: 21 Apr 2010 Posts: 1011

vEddY · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:44 pm Post subject:

jimknopf · Platinum Member Joined: 17 Jan 2011 Posts: 3374

If they can afford to lose European customers just for the sake of bad announcement timing, just by publishing correct European price tags much too late, who cares, as long as they don't care?

As I said, no problem for me at all. Wink

orpheus2006 · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:45 am Post subject:

Frank Sawusch, Marketing Director of Korg&More Europe, told in an interview that prices between 3000-4000€ are very likely. Therefore I don't think Korg US and European distributors have (much) different transfer prices. I tend to hypothesize that Korg Japan as well as the European distributors are not responsible for these fantasy prices.

The problem is rather with the local dealers. They haven't solved their profit maximization equation yet!

As long as the prices are being perceived as unfair (in relation to US MAP), most musicians won't buy a Kronos. If European Korg Distributers have not negotiated minumum order quantities yet with the local dealers, they are at highest risk to fail completely and they are well-advised to force their customers to not announce any fantasy prices for the Kronos.
Just my view on the game that hasn't changed yet! Very Happy

What does this mean for us, the potential buyers?
We are in the happy position to just lean back and watch this amateurish execution. The best buyers' strategy remains unchanged, as Ozy said: "Let the dust settle." Wink

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Korg M3-88 w/ EXB-Radias, Yamaha Motif Rack w/ PLG150-AN & PLG150-DR, Novation A-Station, RME Multiface II Audio Interface, Thinkpad T60 Notebook w/ Sonar X3 and various VSTi, Event TR8 monitors, Beyerdynamic DT-770 headphones

Bart S. · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:55 am Post subject:

Considering an import (USA to Europe): does anyone know, if you'll have to change the power supply (USA: 120V, 60Hz - Germany: 220V, 50Hz)?