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Topic:
showroom
This thread has 19 replies. Displaying posts 16 through 20.
Post 16 made on Friday February 1, 2019 at 14:18
oprahthehutt.
Active Member
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December 2011
624
Buy/Build a house (dont live in it). That is your showroom. When the infrastructure products begin to age sell it, and build a new one.
Post 17 made on Friday February 1, 2019 at 18:05
osiris
Long Time Member
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November 2004
442
On February 1, 2019 at 14:18, oprahthehutt. said...
Buy/Build a house (dont live in it). That is your showroom. When the infrastructure products begin to age sell it, and build a new one.

I've actually thought about this...finding one of the nicer condo/townhome developments in an area near to my clients (the ones that seem to attract empty-nesters and yuppies) and using it as a showroom, using AirBnB to offset some of the cost.
Post 18 made on Saturday February 2, 2019 at 10:12
highfigh
Loyal Member
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Posts:
September 2004
8,311
A duplex would work, too. Use one unit for rental and the other as the showroom. Find renters that would normally be gone during the times when you might need to demo the AV equipment. If the units have no internal common areas (like a single entrance & hallway that goes to both units), you don't need to worry much about someone breaking in without being visible unless they just want to cut their way through a wall.

AirBNB or VRBO are good ways to make money with a rental unit. I have a friend who owns the house next to his business and he renovated it last year- he gets a lot of money per day or week and it's nothing special. He uses VRBO and changes the code for the door lock just before check in time so nobody else can get in without a key. I'm pretty sure the building is paid for and even though he started renting it after the middle of last year, the rentals have more than paid for the renovation already.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 19 made on Monday February 4, 2019 at 12:34
InVision Systems
Long Time Member
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March 2010
119
On January 31, 2019 at 23:19, Fins said...
What I’m hearing is you need more space than what you have working out of your home. So rent an office space that works. With this step, it makes sense to have a space where you can meet clients. Put in a TV, a surround receiver, a thermostat, a few lights, and whatever control system you sell. Keep it simple and small. It’s not a retail space, but you have some working examples to show people how a system works and how easy it is to use. Consider it this way, you need a security system, a thermostat is $150, Lutron casetta is $50 a switch, and you probably want a TV in the office any way.

This is exactly my thoughts. Put in a few lifestyle type of solutions that you can also utilize in the space and call it a day.

OP - we are in a similar situation as well. The only way that we would do a more considerable showroom would be if we could work it out with a good builder and interior designer in a shared space.
Elevate Technologies
Nashville, TN
Post 20 made on Monday February 4, 2019 at 19:04
Mr. Brad
Advanced Member
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Posts:
April 2008
934
Yes, we find it very valuable to be able to actually demonstrate product, and don't think we could have grown to the size we are today without some kind of customer space.
We have a residential showroom and a commercial conference room. The conference room has all the automation as the showroom, and we can review plans on the large display. The conference room may actually be the best use of our capital.

I would recommend starting small. Just make it clean and work perfectly.
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