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Kahles looses it's US Distributor - Again

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snakeman48 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote snakeman48 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Kahles looses it's US Distributor - Again
    Posted: June/18/2011 at 20:29
Just found this on Gamo's web sight. Looks like Kahles is in need of yet another distributor.
I did a search of the OT sight, and this info didn't come up. Sorry if it's old news

http://www.gamooutdoorusa.com/Announcement.html

 Thank you for your inquiry regarding Kahles. As of April 19th, 2011, Gamo Outdoor USA is no longer providing distribution, customer service or warranty service for Kahles Optics.

For any question please contact Kahles directly:

By phone:  (866) 606-8779
By email:  info@kahles.at
Through the web:  www.kahles.at

For repairs please send your product to:

Kahles Service Center
2 Slater Rd.
Cranston, RI 02920

Thank you.




Edited by snakeman48 - June/19/2011 at 03:03
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/18/2011 at 23:46
Looks like back to the old agreement with SONA (Swarovski of North America) where they're responsible for shipping the device back to Kahles in Austria.
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brodeur272 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/19/2011 at 06:52
I think if they sold the C series in the US they would be more successful.  The CSX line, as nice as it is, is in a price range beyond what would sell.  I'd like to get another C series 2.5-10x50 if I could only find one...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/19/2011 at 07:44
They are a nice scope but who needs the attitude they have.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/19/2011 at 08:58
That's too bad...they are great scopes though. Sad
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote snakeman48 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/19/2011 at 09:05
I think the decision to drop the 1'' KX and CL scope lines, and the binoculars in the US market didn't help sales under Gamo. With only the CSX and the K series of scopes being currently imported, that moved their entry price point into a range where only scope connoisseurs would look at their products. The average Joe never heard of them.

Case in point, I never heard of Kahles scopes until I found this forum. I was a tried and true Leupold man, with a lone S&B Zenith being the only other brand in my stable.
Today I have more KX and CL Kahles mounted than any other brand. I just recently picked up a used CSX 1.5-6x42 off of a member on OT.

I don't understand why the 1'' KX line was dropped from the US market, when it's still being sold in the rest of the world, along with the 30mm C and the CBX lines also still being marketed. Their marketing department could not decide on a strategy for the US market. They introduce the CL line, and dropped the AH line at the same time. Then they came to the conclusion that was a mistake, and updated  the AH line and brought it back as the KX line, then they turn around and drop the 1'' line completely.
Alot of those decisions might have to do with their parent company, Swarovski, not wanting the Kahles scopes cannibalizing sales from them.
A customer who understood Alpha glass scopes could see that Kahles offered Alpha glass and quality at better prices. I know I did.

Maybe Mr. Koshkin can shed some light on this




Edited by snakeman48 - June/19/2011 at 09:09
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/19/2011 at 17:54
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Edited by mike650 - June/21/2011 at 23:22
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/19/2011 at 18:04
Probably didn't help that Gamo was showing their scopes side by side with BSA @ SHOT.
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Oldtrader3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2011 at 00:43
Gamo just never seemed a marketing match for Kahles IMHO.  I have owned one set of Kahles binocs (stolen) and two of their scopes.  I know that they had a stormy relationship with Swaro before Gamo.
 
I just wish that they would reconsider producing their KX (or whatever, 1") scopes again for sale in the North American markets.  Those scopes were a heck of a buy for their pricing segmentation.  I guess they value the premium branding more than sales of optics and marketing presence in North America, too bad!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2011 at 01:30
I like Kahles products and I agree that the Gamo relationship did not seem to be a match made in heaven.

I hope they can pick up a better US-based partner next time around.  I can think of a few who would do a good job and I hope Kahles is talking to them.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WYcoyote Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2011 at 17:43
How about this:
SWFA, exclusive distributor for Kahles Optics, USA.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2011 at 17:51
Originally posted by WYcoyote WYcoyote wrote:

How about this:
SWFA, exclusive distributor for Kahles Optics, USA.

That would definitely have a nice ring to it.  Perhaps more importantly it would put US Kahles into the hands of people who actually know what they are doing...

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote snakeman48 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2011 at 18:10
Originally posted by WYcoyote WYcoyote wrote:

How about this:
SWFA, exclusive distributor for Kahles Optics, USA.


Now, that would be exactly what the doctor ordered.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SamC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/21/2011 at 22:25
Originally posted by WYcoyote WYcoyote wrote:

How about this:
SWFA, exclusive distributor for Kahles Optics, USA.
Sounds good to me tooExcellent
Sam

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote powderburn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2011 at 15:23
That's a shame. I believe this is one of the biggest issues that hurts the european scope manufacturers. That's the here today gone tomorrow syndrom and the subsequent interupptions in customer service it causes. Even if they get a new distributor will that company gladly replace a scope they did not sell. I think Zeiss made a good move in coming to the states themselves and establishing a presence here if they want to become a player in the domestic scope market.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lewwetzel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2011 at 19:31
FYI:  Kahles scopes do have a large dealer (maybe not technically a distributor) in the U.S. that most people would be suprised to know. Kahles are re-badged for them as a store brand. Does anybody know what company it is?

Edited by lewwetzel - June/27/2011 at 19:33
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2011 at 20:38
Originally posted by lewwetzel lewwetzel wrote:

FYI:  Kahles scopes do have a large dealer (maybe not technically a distributor) in the U.S. that most people would be suprised to know. Kahles are re-badged for them as a store brand. Does anybody know what company it is?


Do tell.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gerry Atric Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/28/2011 at 04:04
Always interested in hearing about the Kahles history and ownership Wink
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/28/2011 at 06:52
Does it start with a C?
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/28/2011 at 07:19
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