Element 82 has always maintained a distributor and reseller network. Some products are easier to sell this way than others. Times also change and resellers are embracing new sales channels and move online to focus on national sales rather than their regional focus. It has brought about many interesting questions we have to regularly ask ourselves. Are we an importer, distributor or retailer.

We are an importer of quality products, we also provide technical support, warranty and handle inquiries directly with the factory for many of our products. Over time this has led to many customers and OEM's requiring us to provide them with equipment directly or indirectly via group purchasing agreements or products by association. We endeavor to maintain a distribution and reseller relationship with many of our products but are sometimes limited to the available businesses in an area. Or ability for some organisations to carry the required range of products to best support a brand (maybe an example would be to carry the range of accessories required that support a product). Which means sometimes we end up dealing with customers directly. We understand that makes our business a Business to Consumer sales channel while we try hard to maintain a business to business channel. This is no different to any of our competitors offering a trade counter anyway or regional offices that work directly with local businesses.

Regardless New Zealand is a small place and someone always knows someone at the other end of the country that they used to work with or deal with. We can't change that, nor would we want to. We are all in this great space together so from time to time we may be dealing with someone in your area or field. We didn't choose this way of operating, it chose us. New Zealand has always been a find out the best place to get something from, or look for the best price, or deal direct with the person that knows the product best.