I’m ticked.   A week ago I bought a new camcorder.   It was online so I had to wait.   Amazon has really done a wonderful job of creating a smooth and simple buying process.   Sometimes too simple.   But I’m not ticked at them. I decided to really get a good camcorder.   Saving a few hundred bucks really sacrificed quality and features.   So, I splurged and got one of the best camcorders at the consumer level.   I did a decent amount of shopping around, reading reviews, and even going into Best Buy and other electronics stores to talk with the “experts” there.   More on Best Buy later. I landed on the new Canon HG-20.   Sweet little unit with HD, hard drive storage and a simple interface.   Wonderful product.   And everyone online seemed to think the same thing. So, I plunked down my card on Amazon.   And along with all the other stuff that “People who bought that bought this”…  I felt great about my purchase.   So I waited.   Shipping took surprisingly less time than I expected.   It was like Christmas!  All these boxes showing up on my doorstep by an exhausted FedEx guy.   I even scheduled a night to “play with my new toys. “  That’s where the heartache began. After getting the camera setup, I took a few shots and the quality is fabulous.   I played around with settings and the user interface is equally clean and simple.   Canon usually does a pretty good job of that.   Then I plugged it in to transfer to my PC.   I wanted to edit it on the new video editing software I had bought.   Hmmm…nothing. I searched the manual for instructions.   Maybe I had a setting wrong.   Should be able to just plug it in and transfer files.   Only a paragraph in the manual.   Says I need to install their software.   Jeez.   So I install there crappy software tool.   Have to reboot twice.   Now I plug in the camera again. Still nothing.   The computer doesn’t even register the camera is plugged in.   Oh, there’s another piece of software that needs to be installed.   Ugh.   Reboot another time.   Plug the camera back in.   Finally I can transfer! I move the files over to my PC (using their terrible software).   Then go to open in my video editing software.   Nothing.   Doesn’t like the format.   What!?  Isn’t this a popular software?  Idsn’t this a mainstream camera?  Why don’t they like each other? So, I go to the god of information, Google.   A quick search reveals an underworld of negative reviews—that didn’t come up during my initial search.   Apparently, Canon, in their arrogance and stupidity decided to create their own unique video format that isn’t editable in ANY major software, nor is it accepted for playback in ANY media player.    The only way to edit the video is using their piece of junk software…and that crashed my computer every time I use it! But I’m not alone in my angst.   There are hundreds of other websites and individuals barking at this problem.   Canon ignores it all.   Instead choosing to brag about their hot new format.   Guess what Canon, your format sucks.   And so does your product. I needed to vent.   But there are also some valuable lessons for us as salespeople. Here’s where Canon blew it. 1) Sold features over benefits New format this, new format that.   Our researchers blah, blah, blah.   What about the ease of use?  How about the streamline editing?  Or the smooth integration with other software? Nope, they only care to brag about their latest scientific breakthrough.   They put zero thought (apparently) into the benefits of the user. Had they, I wouldn’t be flaming them right now. 2) Didn’t research the market If they had put an ounce of energy into studying their marketplace, they would have discovered that most people are not technically savvy and would become incredible frustrated with this limitation.   All this video power gone to waste because most users won’t be able to edit or use the video in any meaningful way. 3) Delivered a half-baked “solution” So, maybe they’ve got to use this new format to capture the stunning imagery.   Fine.   Create a converter you idiots.   They deliberately did NOT so you are forced to stay on their software.   This enrages me.   Or at least create an editing software that works.   Partner with a mainstream editing software.   Something! 4) Not playing nice We live in a world of standards.   There are so many different companies with different products that you MUST build products that integrate with the world around.   Proprietary is only good if it doesn’t isolate.   Consumers want integration not isolation. Canon created isolation. 5) More concerned with product than client There website doesn’t say much about this new format.   It certainly doesn’t put in fine print that the expensive video editing software you own probably won’t work.   No, they brag about their proprietary invention, their new mind-blowing format, and all the other crap that says nothing about the client experience. 6) Didn’t consider the buying experience I opened up my present, thrilled.   I’ve never owned a video camera.   The first 20 minutes was like being at Disneyland.   And it quickly degraded to the salt mines. I am now thinking less about the incredible video quality, ease of use, and thrill of owning my first camcorder.   Now I’m frustrated, angry, exhausted and I probably will return the stupid camera.   Why, oh why, did they not consider the user as he opened the box and used the product?7) Haven’t fixed the problem So, there are thousands of irate customers right now.   Why hasn’t Canon released a video converter?  Maybe even an apology?  Or integrated with a popular software?  Something!  Problems are inevitable.   And even forgivable.   If there are quickly remedied.   The longer they let this go untouched, the more they will fail.   And in my dark side, I really hope they do. Best Buy did this…not admitting flaws The selfish and ignorant salesperson I talked with at length sold me on the Canon.   I peppered him with questions about the camera and why he thought it superior (and more expensive) to all other cameras.   He said he personally used it and loved it.   No mention of any negatives. Flaws in a product are not bad.   Covered up, they create animosity.   This rat salesperson forcefully “sold” me on the Canon with admitting there is this one small problem.   Glad I didn’t actually buy from him. Theses eight MAJOR flaws are why many companies go out of business and why salespeople fail.   You need to take a close look at your own habits and those of your company.   If you or they are doing any of these, quickly fix them.   You will have more first time sales, more backend and secondary sales, and loads of passionate, raging fans. Discover some unique ways to overcome these major mistakes in your selling at www. accidentalselling. com. Get access to my complete ebook titled, “Accidental Selling. ”

Related posts:

1. A Comparison Between the Canon HG10 and the Canon HG21 The Canon HG21 camcorder is the top model and can...
2. Canon Rebel XSi vs T1i – A Digital Shoot Out Imagine taking the best picture of your life. And, while...
3. Canon Digital Camera: Get the Best Cameras From the Leading Brand In the past, cameras were considered as luxury devices. There...
4. Canon Digital Camera Prices Should not Scare you From Investing in One As many of us are aware there are different types...
5. Canon EOS 1000D Canon’s new EOS 1000D competes with the Nikon D60. The...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.