I think it just comes down to ego with most.  If the client is willing to pay a higher labor rate to offset some of the revenue lost, and there is a contract that you are not responsible for the equipment or systems issues to do his purchases, I don't see an issue.  I would not want to go this route often but time to time I think it can work out in the end.  But it is infuriating when you design a system and the client goes and sources everything elsewhere.  It just feels like a classless way to go about things.  I understand people want to save money, but the old ways of doing things are gone and its not always an easy pill to swallow.

Completely agree. Retail shops are difficult to keep open now with Amazon and Wal Mart doing their best to put them out business and consumers looking for the best deal and convenience. We bring much higher level equipment to the process, but when someone thinks Bose and Best Buy Yamaha receivers are top of the line they get sticker shock. So when you land a good system and put tons of hours into designing and documenting the design it's hard to let it go.

A couple of things here...



First, when the client buys off the internet, he's being sanguine about the risk that the equipment might be defective, or at least has no warranty (unless, ironically, Crestron's willingness to give GREAT support actually undermines the dealer if a client buys defective stuff on the internet and then Crestron makes good on it!).

Second, the client who buys stuff off the internet not only shows that he doesn't care much about the warranty, he also shows that he doesn't care much about the installer's ability to stay in business. He's willing to directly steal money from the dealer while indirectly stealing from the dealer by undermining the dealer's relationship with Crestron.

Yes, this is theft. If you design a system with the intention of supplying the equipment and the client buys from somewhere else, he
a)steals your time and your expertise when he decides to buy that way, then
b) steals your profit when he buys, and furthermore
c) steals your reputation with Crestron if service is ever needed.

The customer who buys off the internet is the sleaziest of any of the folks mentioned in this entire thread.

If you raise your labor rate enough to cover the lost revenue on the equipment, no longer have to support the equipment, and client THINKS he is getting a better deal, then who cares?  One thing I have learned in this slowdown in work is that I am tired of watching money walk away from clients that want the next greatest deal.  I will let them think they are getting that great deal, as long as I am covering myself and making the same money, I don't care.  I have bills to pay.