Long live the "Trunk Slammers"

Should we feel bad for Media Systems???? I would like to think that They and all the other Boutique Install companies are swallowing a dose of reality. Consumers are a savvy bunch. There are altrernatives to taking it up the #@$%^. Lots of employees on the payroll drive the cost of doing business over the top.

When your business model relies on miliion $ deals you can't afford to lose one. A small downturn in the economy can ruin you very quickly.

I've always beileved that it's better to take 4 quarteres than a dollar. Do a phenominal job and your reputation will carry you.

Us small guys might not adorn the covers of the trade mags, but does that matter? I do business in the Boston area and it's a blast. The customer base is very well educated.

Who's smiling now?

Get a grip , dude! Do you honestly believe that companies are prone to going out of business because they do big jobs? Also, do you believe that they went out of business because clients finally "wised" up to some kind of racket. Also, don't think because Media Systems went out of business that everybody will just come flying to your door, from what I can gather your business model and theirs are opposite. Are you going to change your business model all of a sudden to go out and cater to these clients? Chances are pretty good they went out of business because of internal problems, not because they were lacking in business or clients finally "wised up".

Translation: I'm jealous as hell that I'm a "small guy".

What a brilliant business analysis. Write Walmart and Bill Gates right away and let them know what idiots they are for hiring lots of employees.

More inane nonsense. It's no wonder your jealous of larger businesses - you don't have enough business knowldge to ever have your own. MANY businesses models rely on million dollar deals and even hundred million dollar deals. That doesn't mean you need to win every one any more than the guy focusing on thousand dollar deals needs to win every one.

Downturns in the economy can affect everyone.

Are you the guy always asking for quarters on the corner? Don't take this personally but you need a bath.

It obviously does MATTER A GREAT DEAL to you or you wouldn't even mention it. Nor would you start this obnoxious thread celebrating someone else going out of business.

Evidently you, with a shit eating grin from having your head shoved up your ass.

This message was edited by QQQ on 07/08/04 20:38.

I'm a small guy...in many ways (ok, in all ways, my humble pie was eaten LONG ago), and I agree with QQQ 100% here...

you have too many issues to take up my time here, except for one...

I DO get my ass kicked, every f%^cking day, by guys JUST LIKE you, because I charge enough to pay all the bills, and pay for the insurance, and the gas, and the taxes, and all the things that guys playing ABOVE the governmental radar pay for.

So before you go cheering about a MAJOR contributor to our industry taking a dive, and YES, Media Systems was MAJOR, you DO need to take a shower, then a long look at your business model, and possibly try to fart...as it might loosen you up enough to BLOW your head out of your ass! Then go to your local detox, and sober up, because not only are your eyes clouded by shit, but clearly, you're wearing Coyote Ugly thick beer goggles as well!

avdude

And just to clarify I only used the term "small guy" because that's how *he* described himself and his jealousy was oozing out of his post. Being a "small guy" or a "big guy" isn't important, it's whether you do good work or not that matters (among other things).

Oh, come on, you guys! Don't hold back; tell us how you really feel!

Larry,

I'm still firmly convinced half of these assinine posts are you...and the other half QQQ, posing as alter egoes...

I've been SOOOOOO good too, it's been WEEKS since I lost it!

Damn!

avdude

Damn - lost my post.
Anyone can do the job 85% correct. It takes a true professional to give his clients 100% of what they are paying for. ie. technically correct install, neat and professional looking install and a jobsight left as clean as when the installers arrived and educating the client before and AFTER the sale. These are the qualities that make clients come back for more and tell their friends to hire you even if your are more money. Don't cut corners to cut the cost. Make your customers pay for the final 15% of the job. They'll appreciate it in the long run and your business will too.

LOL! No, I'm happy to say, I have only one personality here. I've never felt the need to disguise myself when posting in any forum.

Having said that, I hereby give you permission to "lose it" if you really need to. I'd never want to stand between a man and his tantrums.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

smal guy,, big guy. It's all good. You can define either of these terms in many ways. depends on the criterea. Is the main element volume of sales or jobs? is it the size or scope of the jobs you do, or is it the quality of work? I think it's different for everyone. You have to operate your business at a level of comfort and ability. Amny people have operated very sucesful "small guy" operations for years, then thinking that becoming a "big guy" was important, they proceeded to bury themselves in a sea of overhead and mismanagement. I take my hat off to companies such as Media systems that maintained a thriving entity at that level. That said, at whatever level you operate at, it really hs to be manageable, otherwise it's not worth the effort. I think if you look at most of the large succesful companies in the industry you will find that the principle players and their key staff members all have had years of experience in working for other succesful business or have been involved in the operation or management of smaller ones. it's almost like a sifting process that has to happen.

And we've all missed your frustrated rants! Please feel free to make all the late night posts you can!

Mike

What is a Trunk Slammer?

A trunk slammer is a person that sells AV equipment out of the back of their van or car trunk. The term became popularized when the huge wave of vinyl wrap cheap speakers flooded the streets. People in vans would drive around asking total strangers if they wanted to buy some expensive speakers for below cost.

The term took on a pejorative conotation and is commonly applied to small AV contractors or one man operations. In most cases it's not a fair assesment . In some cases, yep. Larger companies will often refer to their smaller competition as "trunk slammers" But It's probably more common with large companies that are struggling with their overhead. Some will call you a trunk slammer if you don't have large overhead and a large pressure to meet a payroll deadline every month.

Oh...I see. That's kinda what I was thinkin. Wow.