I am trying expand my customer base in Miami, Fl. I am a programmer and I consider myself pretty good with the Pronto Remotes and the Home Theatre Master Remotes. I am trying to determine what is the best way to find and offer my services to installers. Does anyone have any ideas that may help me?

MiamiMan!
[email protected]

I'm not doubting your skills because I haven't seen one of your configurations...But, I have read some of your questions in the Pronto forums and would suggest you learn more about programming them before you venture out. The questions you asked were pretty basic, and I've seen people get all GungHo too early (I was one of them)and all they wind up doing is embarrassing themselves. I thought I knew a lot about them when I did my first big configuration for a client. It ended up taking me over 8hrs just to program it with very basic buttons. A year later when I stopped by their house I looked at the Pronto and couldn't believe they even paid for the job I did. I ended up redoing the whole layout for free. If I were you, I would either hook up with a company that will hire you at a fair rate for someone still learning, or work with someone who can teach you the more advanced stuff. Because, there are clients out there who will just not pay you if they aren't happy. No matter how much hard work you do.

McNasty,

First of all, it is clear that you are doubting my skills.

Let me explain a couple of things.

1. First of all I AM a programmer. I program source code for avionic equipment. I understand how to design user interfaces so that they are understandable and ergo dynamic. I have studied human factors and understand the way the mind works when dealing with a machine.

2. I have been messing around with graphics design for years. I have little difficulty making the interface look good. In fact my first remote used my own BMPs.

3. I currently do work for an installer who could not be happier with my work. I have not had one customer that was not happy with my work this far. Why? Because I speak with them an determine what is important for them. Then I make a custom design to meet their needs. (Which I am sure is normal practice for most.) As a matter of fact I tell my customers up front that they don't have to pay me unless they are satisfied. I work by the old saying "the customer is always right"

4. I did not ask for your permission or blessing. I really don't care what you think because you are judging me without actually seeing my work.

The fact is I do good work. I am confident of that! I may not be the best programmer on this site. In fact, I know I am not. Must you be the best in order to do professional work? If so please let me know who that one person is so everyone can send their customers to him.

I may have taken your post a little too personal but it seem to be saying "What the hell are you thinking, you don't know anything. There is no way you can program a remote and make a customer happy”

I assure you I can and do.

Thank You,
MiamiMan

I can assure you that every client does NOT end up with an original custom remote in Pronto World. The budget just isnt there in most cases. I've been doing Prontos and Marantz remotes for about 6 years and other that customizing some icons and bitmaps, we use a standard "custom" templete our graphics guy designed for us. Its modified for each client, but certainly doesnt take the 12-30 hours to program a truely custom interface does.

Pronto Programming and avionic equipment programming are truely two different worlds. If you havn't noticed that yet, I would have to agree with Mcnasty at this point........

If you are already in the industry, then you should have no troule identifing the other pronto dealers in your area and giving them a visit. Perhaps you have and when you quoted them a thousand dollars per customer to program theyr remotes they called the next guy who does them for $250-$500

That would be me.

This message was edited by NBDEER on 01/09/04 14:12.

Yes, I believe you did. McNasty offered sincere advice and even related mistakes he made when starting out. Whether he was wrong or write about your experience level, there is no need to take such offense. When I ask people for business advice, I want the bluntest and most honest advice possible. Some others seem to want the opposite.

This message was edited by QQQ on 01/09/04 14:18.

No I wasn't. I was questioning your expeience with the editing software

Who cares? I'm real good with Pronto and RTI design...doesn't mean I can set up a Crestron system just as well.

Good for you! I never questioned your graphic design abilities.

So why are you "Looking for work?"

Where the crap did that come from? I just said that if you were starting out not to charge too much, or take up some sort of aprenticeship so you can learn a lot. Someone's a little hotheaded...

You don't need to be "The Best" but you'd better be damn good if your going to charge the going rate...Otherwise your giving your client nothing but a diservice

You think?

I never even came close to saying that. I think you have heat stroke or something. I was just giving some advise, and obviously your one of those guys that gets all upset when he hears anything other than something positive. My fault...I'll try not to hurt your feelings next time.

First suggestion, Buy yourself a pronto!!
Refer to:
[Link: remotecentral.com]

OK, OK,

I was a little hot headed and defensive... Maybe alot.

The comment about suggesting I learn more before I ventured out just struck a nerve becuase I have programmed many remotes and my customers are always extremely happy. I don't think just becuase I know Avionics that I can do anything. The knowledge I have gained thru the years working on avioinics and also graphics design have helped me hit the ground running.

I appologize.

I am sure many of you have alot more experience then I do. And it may take me longer to program a remote than someone more experience. But I can assure you I take pride in my work and my customers satisfaction.

Don't worry about hurting my feelings McNasty. I am just a grump in the morning.

I appologize.

Oh and geraldB...
Thanks for the advice. All this programing work and the end of my USB cable was attached to my cell phone. No wonder nothing worked.

Thanks

Pronto's suck
run away from them as fast as you can