You ought to try to sell and service computers.  We take what we can
get, a customer brings in a sound card or other component because they
can't figure it out, we'll install it and not feel guilty about the
labor charge.  We might make a few other suggestions on improving their
computer or sell them an updated antivirus program.  We also install
telephone and network components, cabling, and CAT 5 verification, and
love it when customers supply there own equipment, it is purely billable
labor then.  For those that want to expand business, we found a niche
with just CAT 5 - 6 verification.  We gained many customers because we
were a one stop shop for all telephone and network needs.

Tim Hofbauer MCSE
Connecting Point 

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Marc
L. Kozam
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 10:51 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: KX-T: making lemon-aide

I tried to keep quiet on this one but...

>From an outsider, it seems like some installers underprice their work
and
wind up with a slim (or even negative!) profit margin when it comes to
the
labor component.

To make up for this, they depend on a high profit margin on the
equipment
component.

Until recently, this worked fine because the overall profit margin on
the
"package" of equipment plus service was reasonable.  Mail order, the
internet, and a better used market have changed the equation because
equipment and service are no longer bundled.

Some customers WANT the a la carte menu option, so installers need to
rethink their pricing structure so that they can make a profit on  the
labor
(both initial installs and support) as well as the equipment sales.

Can you imagine a car dealer refusing to fix your car because you bought
it
elsewhere?  Or because you had it serviced at the local gas station a
few
months ago?  Or because your cousin tried to fix it but really screwed
it
up?

Just my thoughts...

Marc
[EMAIL PROTECTED]




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