Here is input from a buyer. My background is: I have installed three
systems, one in our vacation home in FL and two here in the Vail valley
where I am building my new home. I enjoy installing my own system and, by
the time I am done, I know more about how my home PBX system works than any
of my friends and neighbors. I am also installing my own Lutron system
thanks to the local Lutron dealer.
I would say that if you are approached by a buyer of a Panasonic system
that wants you to install his system, then you should charge him your normal
rate PLUS your normal markup for the system, so that he ends up spending the
same amount as he would if he bought the equipment from you. And I would
tell him up front that you will charge him a rental fee for any loaner
equipment if he (or you) have to send any equipment in for repair).
If you are approached by someone who already has an installed system, I
believe that you should charge him your normal rate and include all the
hours you will need to bring yourself up to date on his(her) system,
including cleaning up a messy install.
I appreciate the ability to buy my own system and install it myself, but I
understand that the local dealer can't help me get it running or trouble
shoot it without me paying for his time.
By the way, ONE of the reasons I like to install my own system, as I stated
above, is so that I fully understand how the system works in my home. How
many of you have visited a home and have the owner say "don't touch that
lighting keypad, because I am not sure what it does." I have - many times.
And all these systems were installed by local dealers who have trained the
owner. When I get done, not only will my family and I understand what all
the switches do (or, in the case of the PBX, how to transfer a call, set up
voice mailboxes, etc), but I will be able to customize these systems to
exactly meet my needs.
Just remember, there are a lot of baby boomers out there starting to retire
who are looking for new hobbies and one great hobby, which gives the person
a lot of pride when they are done, is DIYing. Why not help them out as long
as you can make money doing it?
Just my 2 cents worth.
Kim
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of larry
> Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 9:08 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: KX-T: making lemon-aide
>
>
> I hope this doesn't start the long, nasty threads that
> the subject seems to start. I'm looking for
> constructive ideas.
>
> We have been approached about installing systems
> bought over the internet. From a buyer, not the
> internet seller! Have you developed dual rate cards?
> We're not going to install these systems for the
> preferred rates we give customers where we do the
> total sale. And all the free follow-up we provide.
>
> I can see advantages, we don't carry tens of thousands
> in receivables! And we could charge for all the time
> we spend with this customer, even for telling him what
> to buy! And he gets to hassle with all equipment
> failures.
>
> I see a reasonable return here. Have you found a good
> way to make money from this business? What have I
> missed?
>
> Thanks
>
> -larry
>
>
>
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