Client suggested a scenarion that may/may not work. Looking for opinions.

The idea is to add a "device" that will be called FAVS.

Under FAVS the would be 6 "genre" choices.

1. Music

2. Toons

3. News

4. Locals

5. Movies

6. Sports

With each of these having a "go to" page (possible a new device) that would list the various favorite channels within.

I did warn the client about channel relocation, but client still thinks this is a good idea.....

It's definitely do-able, but do I want to do it.......?

I gave up on doing channel favorite macros long ago....... depends on if you want to take the time and multiple trips to figure out what favorites they want, and then to keep with channel changes, or have the customer understand that it'll be a service call charge each time you have to come out to add/delete/change a favorite.

I would give them an idea of the added programming cost and put the ball back in their court. Are they willing to pay for what they are asking you to do? If yes, then you should probably be willing to do what they ask you to (within reason, of course).

That's my 2 cents.

-Sean.

I will do it if a client specifically and persistently asks for it, but I usually show them how to set up "favorites" lists on their satellite/cable receiver and they are more than happy with that. The nice thing, is you can create 4 or 5 templates (a couple for each provider), and use them over and over....so you really only should have to do 80% of the work one time....but you can still charge for it....kind of nice. ;)

we do this all the time. I have the customer go through their channels and email me their list of favorite channels no more than 50. I require that the list is given to me at least 48 hours before the install. I usually get hte favs programmed before I even go to the house. I will make the favs a deivce. then I do not make sub favs, like you mentioned above. I put in the 1st page all the local channels, 2nd page news channels, 3rd page sports channels, 4th page etc. And I try to orgaize them by the type of channel. I always make the +10 button, the "go back to cable and out of FAVs" button.

Mike

On our "install sheets" I ask them what thier favs are. I give them 40 channel choices. I put them in. I make sure they work. I never receieved a call back. It's better to let them do the footwork, write it out themselves, and when I program it there is usually no issue. I think if you cover six genre there is not a lot of parity to what people like, but it depends on the age of the person and what the ages of the people are that are watching th set. Here are my catagories:

Local
Education
Kids & Family
Premium Movies
Movie Networks
Sports
News & Weather
Home & Entertainment

Mike,

Exactly what I was thinking with the "back" button.

And I will NOT have to make muiltple trips to do this for the client. We exchange emails on a regular basis. Good (Doctor) client. Mucho referrals.

And even if I do have to stop by for a system tweak now and then, it's been covered in advance.

This install is in a high end neighborhood where I have done most of the homes, and continue to do more as they are built. Easy to stop in for a quick tweak since I'm in the neighborhood on a very regular basis.

One neighborhood I did had 98 homes. I did the installs in 94. All referrals.

Give the client what the client needs as long as it's possible, and provide service above and beyond. That IS the key.