What killed Deardorff?

[richard_trochlil]

I have been reading the comments on Deardorff restoration. I must have been out to lunch somewhere back then, but what caused Deardorff to go into the tank? I sure never heard.

[sean_yates2]

Poor business practices. Japanese company ordered something like 200

8 X 10's for export to Japan. Paid for 'em up front. Never

got 'em. Went to court, won company name, trademark, etc. Tried to

make a go of it with the Athens Tennesse cameras (all stainless

steel) and lasted 2~3 years I think.

[neil_poulsen1]

I also heard that Deardorffs "99" year lease in the Chicago store ran

out! Can you imagine what they were paying for that location?

 

<p>

 

I forget my source. But, my recollection is that it was

pretty well informed. Not positive, though.

[ken_hough1]

Bad business practices, Rising rent in a yuppy neighborhood, slow

filling orders and it was 20 cameras that a Japanese dealer ordered.

In addition to all that some suppliers of metal parts never filled the

orders that Deardorff placed. In short, very poor planning. I was

there. I saw it all.

And it happens to me sometimes.

Ken Hough

http://deardorffcameras.0catch.com/