In some respects this is free money for BB and others who use this sort of strategy. They can manage these non employees remotely without the usual employee support costs. It's a reasonably predictable revenue stream because they know that they will make a certain amount on each install. Virtually all of the risk is pushed to the installers. Down turns, cyclic or not, are easy to handle -- simply don't call the installers. One doesn't need to worry about managing idle employees on the payroll.

I spoke with some people who had worked as subcontractors for Home Depot. It was a similar type of scheme -- fixed price for the job. The sub would given a few assignments for the day. The time alloted for each install may not have been realistic and there was virtually no consideration given for travel time or distance between jobs.

I've had similar operators contact me, attempting to enlist me in their scheme.