Re: Behringer line array
I have encountered products with full specifications, pricing, demonstration units and stated (and in some cases verified) availability that then either did not get released on time or were not released at all. I have even had manufacturers accept orders and then subsequently cancel them due to delayed availability or a decision to not release the product.
A different unit from another manufacturer is not always a practical option if there was sufficient reason for selecting a specific product in the first place. What can make a product an optimal solution for an application can also mean that there may not be a direct equivalent that will have no impact on anything else including the budget. Multiple times I have seen contractors and consultant left literally picking up the bill for manufacturers not meeting their commitments on product availability.
Waiting is not always an option, if a project is being designed now or installed now you cannot wait. Also related, I am often designing systems, and many times they are bid, months or even years in advance of their actual installation so to minimize Change Orders I have to rely on manufacturers providing accurate information on upcoming products, planned/estimated availability and planned discontinuation. If a manufacturer announces a product and gives an estimated availability I have to be able to rely on that information and know if it changes. These are aspects that manufacturers moving from MI to pro markets and marketing to contractors, integrators and consultants sometimes seem to fail to recognize.
There seems to be a difference between rumored products and products manufacturers have actively promoted and for which they have offered any dates for availability. Good companies do ship a working product, but they also ship it when they say they would or at least work to help anyone who specified or sold it if they can't.
It's great that they want to improve the product but in the videos from NAMM 2012 (Behringer Line Array Speakers - NAMM 2012 - YouTube) Behringer not only offered pricing but specifically stated "Shipping in April of this year." And those same ELX products were shown in June at InfoComm, which was already after the April date. Now we're looking at what, probably at least a year delay in availability? What I feel is important here is that while Behringer actively promoted the ELX products and their initial availability, what effort was made to get the word out when that information changed?
I realize things sometimes happen that a manufacturer cannot control but in those cases how they respond matters. I have had some manufacturers try to let everyone know when that happens and go out of their way to help resolve related problems when they occur. I have also had some manufacturers basically say "tough luck, it's your problem now" and refuse to offer any help even when those who had supported them were literally paying the price for their actions. That can create two very different perceptions of the situation.
I agree with JR, the big push for manufacturers used to be to have available new products at the shows and events aimed at the related industry professionals, but those seem to increasingly be about creating pre-release press and 'buzz' for upcoming products. What worries me about this is how many products shown may then be delayed or never reach production if the response is not as desired.
