Bidding out jobs is a totally different subject. When we are referred to a customer, we already have the job. There are no bidding against other AV companies. If its a " bid project " then there is no kickback. May the best proposal win.
What I meant about kicking back, was the kickback itself is considered a "TIP" to the designer, or the architect who referred us to a client. It is not a "bribe" to pursuade someone to use our firm over another. Our reputation and word of mouth is a winning bid in itself.

Thats what I thought you meant...Thats why I was wondering why it would be illegal. I definitely understand the problem when bidding was involved. I was in the Air Force, and when suppliers came on base to bid to supply our tools and such, they would practically get in fights when they saw another supplier bring donuts into the shop...Even that was considered bad. We still ate them though. But as far as I'm concerened, the donuts don't matter...If someone choices an inferior tool because Joe the suplier fattens them up with Jelly Donuts, then they have issues.

Thats true. Thou it does happen alot, probable without your knowledge.

sux somtimes...

Ditto. I didn't mean to imply that you should bribe someone to get a bid, but if you have a relationship where someone brings you on as a subcontractor it's pretty standard for them to mark up your price and present the total to their customer. It becomes one large bid for a project at that point the a customer can shop with other interior designers architects etc.

I am trying a small home show at the end of Jan. It will be my first attempt of advertising. I have been strictly word of mouth for my first 3 years.

Danger Greg C,

Be very careful with the home show. I've blown about $12k on a couple home shows including a very elaborate one. Make sure you get business cards or have people fill out a questionaire or something to get some contact information and then follow up like crazy. It's about the only way you will get business out of these things. If you think people are going to look at your booth and write a check you might be disappointed. Good luck.

Better yet... raffle off a prize, that requires names, addresses, and phone numbers on the tickets.

This will garner more contact information, but the prize has to be carefully selected, so that it generates high amounts of interest, but (hopefully) only from people that may be potential clients.

Items that seem more expensive than they are, and require installation (but nothing too difficult), are good candidates -- alarms, satellites, in-wall speakers, etc.

A Pronto or equivalent would be great too, but you would have to stress that programming is included (requiring a site visit), to qualify customers.

Many manufacturers or distributors will co-op or donate equipment, or provide loaners for the show. If you don't sell alarms, you could probably get an alarm company to do the installation for free, so they can get the monitoring contract.

There are many possibilities...