Anthony's requirements did not seem to be anything that some of the smaller salons could not handle. Sure, not every shop is set up to do projects like the HEDs and AVCs of the world (I did limit the list to Manahattan shops, and one should not dismiss the surrounding areas' outfits).

These companies, operating in Manhattan, do have unique biz requirements that other rez companies do not have in the rest of the country. Yes some of them have quirks, but many have been around for 15+ years. Some of them have pioneered the CI biz before people knew about the term.

An individual can be attractive, especially in price compared to a larger company. AND... in knowledge and experience... or more importantly, how much attention that is given to a project. I do think that you can get the same expertise and attention if you are dealing with the right people in the company. Many of the salespeople move boxes, because quite frankly, that is how some companies stay alive when they have to do $x million in sales just to pay their rent and salaries. I think that a customer could find a very competent independent and have a great experience with him. The chances are not very high for this to be so for the typical client doing the same thing... Anthony's chances are much greater given that he has asked for help in this particular forum.

There are some great techs and real custom install personel with these companies. It is a disservice to their talents, abilities, and in some cases 12+ years of experience to conclude that none of them can do the job at hand. Use the right tool for the job... the parallel being here that you should hire the right talent for the request. Anthony's system appears to be large enough to warrant either a small company or independent with solid experience AND resources... but too small to throw to a hard core integration house. I don't remember hearing automation or Crestron in the original description.

P.S. I've written enough departmental memorandums bitching about Cresnet block wiring that I think that they have the idea by now.

No argument when it comes to selling high end lines. But
when you mention that a frim does Crestron you imply that it is a cut above the others. I am aware that many of these stores sell Crestron but moving boxes and providing custom installation services are not the same. Crestron is just an other universal remote to them. Once it struck fear into their hearts as the lunitics who own these places did not trust any system that required custom programming. Once they realized they had an other profit opportunity they begin providing poor Crestron installations, too. I will not hijack this thread--if someone wishes they can begin an other on why so many psyhcologicly troubled and needy individuals became owners of high end audio salons. We could also discuss why, even with legal backgrounds, they also could use lessons in morality and basic busniess ethics.

Stipulation: many of the clients who frequenct these establishments are as nutty as the owners. This was called the "carriage trade" by some of these owners and their attitude was to fleese their very affluent, if gullible, buyers. Custom: selling 2 center chanel speakers on every installation--and telling the client ( who purchased a Proton 27 inch TV--I am dating myself ) that this was what Dolby demanded. We never mounted a celing mount projector--the contractor did that. We installed the projector. Calibration, for example, was me with no previous knowledge of CRT setup trying to adunst a Runco ( Zenith ) and I supplied the test patterns. Forget about using the right wire or understanding RF. Then there is the store who has so poorly setup the Merridian system on display that Merridian cringes--but since they sell tons of it Merridian keeps its mouth shut. Or my favorite, consistantly sending only half the required gear to the installation and screaming that the installation was not completed it in one day

These stores do have money and evidently they have attained some degree of intelligence in finding and hiring Tom. But since Tom is independant he cannot be everywhere at all times. Perhaps his memo writing abilities have reached the point that he has overcome the egos that run these salons and he has introduced solid engineering to the cauldrun of black magic that previously held sway. And why water filled dialectrics on 4k/meter cable HAD to be included on every HIGH END sale, even when those wires were placed within walls or ceilings ( building and electrical codes are unknown and rarely complied with knowingly ). More important, then whether the installers were functioning alcholhics or not was that they were treated as trained monkeys who had to do as they were told and keep their mouths closed so even if a good one managed to find its way on to the staff ( as I did ) they are not allowed to do their jobs.

How many of the installers ever go to CEDIA? Might the number be less than 0?

The wisest recommendation would be to find a small installation firm with all of the insurance to perform the job. They will do a far better job and are much more knowledgable and honest.

Alan