Re: Sorry, Charlie!
They need to become more known and in the mainstream or at least reduce that crazy deposit.
What they
need is a dealer presence, so that prospective customers can play and hear the drums. You have to know what you're buying, and things that make a sound must be (at least) heard first. A few exceptions would be a Supra, a 2002 crash, and the like, where if you've heard one, you've pretty much heard them all, and can order by mail with a high level of confidence and satisfaction.
Perhaps they have a storefront presence in Russia and throughout Europe, but without any drums in the USA - unless you happen to know Thomas Pridgen - they're going to be a tough sell. And it's not easy to gain US dealers, just ask SJC, or the dozens of other small companies whose product you never get to see or hear in person, and whose sales reflect that.
SJC has managed to appear bigger than they are for a few reasons. They go to NAMM
not so much to attract dealers, but their drums are seen by the thousands of drummers who are able to get into the show, and enough of them place direct orders to make the expense worth it. Those customers, and basically
every customer, are added to the artist roster as if hundreds of pros are using the drums. And like most genuine endorsements, this creates interest. Also consider the demographic that buys their drums, I'd venture to say that 99% of SJC kit owners are under 30. That's right, Millennials, to whom mail-order is their friend. They think nothing of buying stuff sight-unseen - mattresses, suits, pants, meals,
drums, etc - so the traditional business model doesn't really apply. But that only goes so far, which is why you won't see SJC becoming a real competitor to the companies that
do have a dealer network.
Maybe Arcanum needs to exhibit at NAMM to put their drums in front of potential US buyers? If they can sell maybe 30 snares over the course of the show, they could break-even.
Seeing and hearing and playing the product is the only way I'd fork over my money.
Bermuda