Panasonic product availability

[Speedster]

Anyone have any idea why Panasonic AV products are so scarcely available in SA? Is it just a case of poor local distribution?

Most of the international sites list many of their products (TVs, Bluray players etc) as best in class yet it is basically impossible to get any of their stuff here. The new 50 series Plasmas have been out for the best part of 6 months internationally with no sign of them being brought to SA anytime soon and the highly acclaimed BDT220 Bluray player is unheard of by local stockists.

For a brand with a large footprint in SA this does seem like a strange anomaly.

 

[Azbubu]

Panasonic Dealers in SA

and then?

 

[Speedster]

Panasonic Dealers in SA

and then?

That sort of illustrates the point. Compare that to a list of Samsung / LG vendors.

Also, if my understanding is correct, those dealers are limited by the products Panasonic SA imports - that seems to be where the main issue lies. The 50 series TV's were released in June already and yet we only have the 30's available locally. Also, as I mentioned the BDT220 bluray player (released in Jan 2012, I think) seems to easily be the best value bluray player in the business but for some mysterious reason doesn't feature in our landscape at all.

 

[Speedster]

I stand corrected. I just spoke to a very helpful (and knowledgable) lady from Panasonic SA. They don't import themselves, the dealers import directly from Japan and hence the slow uptake from local dealers. Pity really.

Anyway, good news is there's a shipment of 50 series TVs and BDT220 bluray players enroute to SA. She also let me know which shops have ordered what products - so all that's left is for me to phone around for the best price.

EDIT: I phoned around a bit and the prices are a bit over the top (when compared internationally). Really not cool

 

[koogs]

The problem is that Panasonic do not import most of the product range themselves but this is done by each dealer individually so thats why its difficult to find the good stuff locally. I was also looking for the BDT220 recently and emailed Panasonic SA. Got a reply to contact a dealer in my area as the dealer import stock themselves. I contacted Audio Architex in Hillcrest and Rob there told me he has ordered a whole lot of Panasonic plasmas and blu ray players which were en route to Durban from Japan. Should be here by end of Nov. He quoted me a price of R2999 for the BDT220.

He also gave me a demo of the 50 series plasmas he had on display. Very good HD displays with 3D as well. About 20K for the 50" model and 39K for the 60" model.

 

[Speedster]

THe quoted me a price of R2999 for the BDT220.

Which is seriously ridiculous. That same player is just about $100 (US) pretty much everywhere else. I got a quote from the guys in Dubai for AED 399 (approx R1000). R3000 for that is just crazy.

 

[bavmorda]

The situation with Panasonic and any other top international brand for that matter in SA is ridiculous. From no availability at all, to if you are lucky "we will supply you with some entry model crap from last year and at the three times the price." This is the SAs retail shops and suppliers mentality. I hoped, that after Americans have bought Makro things might improve, but nothing so far has changed. Sony is little bit more available but still very limited models and usually entry levels. In January Panasonic will introduce 60 series plasmas and LCDs here we still waiting for 50s and you can not get them in any case. Why don't you just order what you want from oversees?