What if there was a custom installer web site, where we could post our grievances with what ails us in our business, and based on the number of complaints on a given topic a mass member complaint would be sent to the president of the offending company indicating that all members were going to boycott the offending product or service until it was fixed, kind of a no dues no head ache union of custom installers. This site could also be a sort of better business bureau, where not only installers, but also customers could be encouraged to go and see what has been voted bad, or good as the case may be.

I am sure a lot of you are just as tired as I am of all the BS that is going on with all of these big companies trying to squeeze us out and firms that want us to pay them big money for promises of help. I am of the opinion that no one is really going to help us but our selves. There are a lot of us and we could exert quite a force for positive change if we could join together somehow. I wonder what would happen if the head of Infocus received several thousand emails regarding displeasure with their new dealer application alienation tactics, under the guise of trying to control unauthorized Internet sales.
What if several thousand installers sat out side of CES, or cedia and refused to enter because of a major issue we did not like, would that not make the news at 7:00.
If millions of customers became aware that we and not big business have there best interests at heart, would that not put a scare into the midst of big trouble makers.

Time is slowly running out-

So-

Does any one else have any constructive Ideas?


Thanks for your input,


David

rti...

there IS such a site. WWW.INTEGRATIONPROS.COM

we are in the process of upgrading servers, as we've had ALOT of reliability issues since comcast took ATT place, but when we get it up, and revamped with the new look, it will have a section for this, and we certainly have the capacity to compile and mail just those sorts of things.

Give it a look when it comes back online (Monday) and I'll build that section in the meantime!

avdude

RTI,
I love your idea!!
Build the site and we can all collectively complain to manufacturers.

The only problem is when CNN shows up at CEDIA are we going to tell the public that we are pissed at manufacturer XYZ because we can only make 10% profit margin or Samsung is now selling to Amazon.com or Infocus sold there 2 year old projector to Sam's on a closeout deal???? I bought my Ralph Lauren sheets at Sam's Club...
The general public wants this to happen...Margin goes away and everyone can afford it now.
I have a Sony Dvd player I bought at dealer cost for $800. Now you can buy one for $49.99 at the gas station.


I do like the idea but it has a few holes.

Products always start HI $$$ and drop in price, that’s not the issue. The issue is, will these products be installed be guys in best buy t-shirts, @ $12.00 an hour, or by independent professional installers.

Further, Some manufactures have agreed to hold back some products to be sold through custom installers, but are not exactly standing up to that agreement. Then we have firms like Avid that for all practical purposes are trying to corner the builder market and make it available only to those who are wiling to pay a premium and sign an agreement to sell only the products they represent.

RTI,

You and I have done a terrible job of penetrating the builder market..We are both very guilty of this.
With 10% penetration we should all get slapped by a Nun with a ruler.
With the AVAD program we will all win.
If they can grow the market by 2 or 3% even builders who don't deal with them will see the need to put A/V and low voltage produts in there homes.

When 2 builders are competing and one home includes an audio system and structured wire and the competitor is using a D2B dealer to do the work, is the other builder going to use the D2B program or is he going to call you??? Who knows

Remember when Philips spent all that money on Plasma advertising???
Did they sell a ton of panels or just make the concept more popular???

I still don't see where you can fight this program weather you are in or not I think it is good for us all!
The AVAD program starts in April 2004....I will let you know in april