In the current issue of ERT, I wrote the following in Knightline:
 
“3D sets will look their best when they are demonstrated in a homely atmosphere with appropriate lighting and sound – an ambience that is not normally associated with the shelves of a supermarket.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Sony followed the US lead and Sony Centres were chosen to be the first retailers to demonstrate 3D TV in the UK?”

As ERT’s Sean Hannam revealed in his report on the Sony dealer conference at Gleneagles (ERT  Feb 26), it seems that Sony is even going a step further than I expected.

Sony has announced that it is to become “old Sony” again and that it will return to being selective about the way its high quality products are distributed.

Dealers will have to meet certain criteria, have a proper shop with appropriate demonstration facilities and staff who can explain the features, advantages and benefits of Sony’s top products.

Independent Sony dealers from all over the UK have contacted me to say they are very much in favour of Sony’s move to selective distribution.

“It is like going back to the good old days when being appointed a Sony dealer was something that was really special,” said one dealer. 

Another said, “I am really looking forward to this.  It is ridiculous that supermarkets and internet sites that give no support at all attempt to sell very high specification products in the same way that they sell bananas – by price alone.  Most people can pick a good banana but customers need help when they are choosing high-tech equipment and they will never be able to enjoy all the benefits of their purchase unless it is properly installed.”

Previous Knightlines have detailed how several top manufacturers have stopped unauthorised dealers in the US from selling goods on the internet. 

This move by Sony has already been welcomed by Retra – now it is up to Sony’s independent dealers to support this very welcome initiative.

Graham Knight