The customer took our original bid and decided he was going to do better purchasing the equipment on the internet and THEN have us install it. Usually we never agree to this, but since he was a friend of one of the owners, and we had some redundant manpower-we did it. Around 5:00 as we were cleaning up, we cranked up the plasma. Not only was the on-screen menu already burned into the image, but the plasma he bought was not the one spec'd. It was a commercial PC monitor, incompatible with any standard format video signal without the correct accessory video card ($750). After spending $5300 on the plasma he now has to eat the $350 shipping charge to have it sent BACK to the vendor and is buying the one we had originally spec'd from US. Original bid price from us $5600.

Pennywise, Pound dumb.

LMAO !

I've had the same thing happen to me. Love it.

Thats Great,

The burnt in menu was probably due to the other 10 customers the screen had been out to.
At $350 shipping they might have quite a successful business.

Not to be encouraged of course but this sort of practice (if thats what it is) can't be bad for the genuine installer.

ROUND 2

Customer has "high-tech" buddy come over to inspect the Plasma over the weekend. Buddy tells customer that we installed incorrect cables and that he should get someone else that knows what they're doing. Buddy fails to see burned in image on screen. Buddy also thinks that the plasma is already compatible with Composite and Component input. LOL!

Customer also called the web-site that he purchased the plasma from. They immediately point to the mega-fine print on the sales agreement that quotes "Monitor may be refurbished/reconditioned". Now he can't send the monitor back to them. I just sent a two page email to him laying out all of his options for purchasing a video card just so he can get an image on the screen.

SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS AS TO WHY YOU DON'T BUY FROM DEALERS WITH NO FRONT DOOR!!!!

Did he buy with credit card? Maybe it was a stupid move but a burned in image is not representative of a proper refurb. I'd have that monitor so far up their but they'd be tasting silicon chips. Even if I had to drive accross the country to do it.

Last time I had a customer try this "I'll buy the product on the internet" thing, I laughed and said "Okay, I'll get back with you later".

A few months later the house was built and he called. I went out and looked at what he had bought, and while there he bragged about what a good deal he had got on the equipment.

Then I asked him how he wanted to handle the installation fee of $10,000.00?

"$10K?" he says. But your proposal was $2,000.00 for the labor .

Well yes, but that was before the walls got closed up. And now there's no wiring for anything.

Stupid sh** forgot about having anything wired.....lol