RE: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
Wow, you all replace a lot of kit. What are the main reasons for the CPE's dying? Isn't there something you can do to improve the install of the units to help prevent these failures? We have only been offering services for a year but so far haven't had to replace a single CPE. We build the CPE's in house using WRAP's, WAR's and StarOS and because of this we would be able to use most of the parts again and therefore not cost to much to swap out a CPE. Cheers, P. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of A. Huppenthal Sent: 15 November 2005 06:29 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings i like that idea. have the contract read that replacement of the equipment for whatever reason incurs a minimum trip charge of $75 or buy insurance @ $4 a month. Peter R. wrote: The DISH network actually charges for replacement. I had a DVR go bad and it cost me $50 for replacement. Ain't much, but it ain't free. What about charging a maintenance fee? It could be a surcharge to your service like the RBOCs add DSL fees and inside wire maintenance. Has anyone looked into getting asset insurance? Thank you. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com ISP Expo in Tampa, Dec. 9 10 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.0/168 - Release Date: 14/11/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.0/168 - Release Date: 14/11/2005 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
That's the most expensive CPE, isn't it? probably why they work so well. I know the failure rate of Moto stuff has been 1 in a 100 or so.. Perhaps 1 in 50 in you count $10 power supplies. Paul Hendry wrote: Wow, you all replace a lot of kit. What are the main reasons for the CPE's dying? Isn't there something you can do to improve the install of the units to help prevent these failures? We have only been offering services for a year but so far haven't had to replace a single CPE. We build the CPE's in house using WRAP's, WAR's and StarOS and because of this we would be able to use most of the parts again and therefore not cost to much to swap out a CPE. Cheers, P. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of A. Huppenthal Sent: 15 November 2005 06:29 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings i like that idea. have the contract read that replacement of the equipment for whatever reason incurs a minimum trip charge of $75 or buy insurance @ $4 a month. Peter R. wrote: The DISH network actually charges for replacement. I had a DVR go bad and it cost me $50 for replacement. Ain't much, but it ain't free. What about charging a maintenance fee? It could be a surcharge to your service like the RBOCs add DSL fees and inside wire maintenance. Has anyone looked into getting asset insurance? Thank you. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com ISP Expo in Tampa, Dec. 9 10 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
George, So what are you running now, for CPE? I like JohnnyO's idea of a replacement charge/Mo. - Nextel charges 2.95, and if your radio goes in the toilet, they just give you another. Ron Wallace Original message Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 22:03:44 -0800 From: George [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org I feel for ya JohhnyO, seriously. I've changed out every Smart bridge I ever installed except two and dittto for tranzeos. The EZ Bridges were great for a while, but going past 2 years now with them and we're starting to replace them as well. I'm not sure how many rados I've replaced this year, but it seems lately it's more and more. At almost 700 subs, the replacement rate grows, but then again the revenue does as well. I bet I have a couple hundred dead or upgraded cpes in my collection. George JohnnyO wrote: George - that may work in your neck of the woods and I have been doing the same since day 1. This past year - we replaced over $8,000 worth of CPEs - that is almost a full months revenue for us Mind you - we dealt with hurricanes and severe lightning - but - - - we can no longer as a company sustain those types of hits That is 8k in equipment costs - not the additional 5k worth of labor for the trips to the CPE. I am In an area that will constantly have severe lightning issues, hurricanes, wicked thunderstorms and high winds. How many CPEs did you replace in the last 12 months ? I have tracked and count 43 here. JohnnyO -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of George Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 11:03 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ Ron Wallace Hahnron, Inc. 220 S. Jackson St. Addison, MI 49220 Phone: (517) 547-8410 Mobile: (517) 605-4542 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
RE: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
Guys, I believe there is a difference in what DirectTV and Nextel does. Those companies give the equipment to the end-user for the contract they sign. It is the owner's responsibility to replace if needed; hence, the insurance offered to the owner...customer. As I, and others have stated, we keep ownership to the CPE. Therefore, it is our responsibility to replace if needed. Also, with new DSL and cable offerings with free install and equipment, it would be a tough sell for me to my customers. They just as well not replace the equipment and go with a competitor. My 2 cents again...now up to 4 cents. Of course, if I can find a way to charge them, I all ears... :) Cliff - Work 985-879-3219 www.cssla.com www.triparish.net -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Wallace Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 9:32 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings George, So what are you running now, for CPE? I like JohnnyO's idea of a replacement charge/Mo. - Nextel charges 2.95, and if your radio goes in the toilet, they just give you another. Ron Wallace Original message Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 22:03:44 -0800 From: George [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org I feel for ya JohhnyO, seriously. I've changed out every Smart bridge I ever installed except two and dittto for tranzeos. The EZ Bridges were great for a while, but going past 2 years now with them and we're starting to replace them as well. I'm not sure how many rados I've replaced this year, but it seems lately it's more and more. At almost 700 subs, the replacement rate grows, but then again the revenue does as well. I bet I have a couple hundred dead or upgraded cpes in my collection. George JohnnyO wrote: George - that may work in your neck of the woods and I have been doing the same since day 1. This past year - we replaced over $8,000 worth of CPEs - that is almost a full months revenue for us Mind you - we dealt with hurricanes and severe lightning - but - - - we can no longer as a company sustain those types of hits That is 8k in equipment costs - not the additional 5k worth of labor for the trips to the CPE. I am In an area that will constantly have severe lightning issues, hurricanes, wicked thunderstorms and high winds. How many CPEs did you replace in the last 12 months ? I have tracked and count 43 here. JohnnyO -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of George Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 11:03 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ Ron Wallace Hahnron, Inc. 220 S. Jackson St. Addison, MI 49220 Phone: (517) 547-8410 Mobile: (517) 605-4542 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
I did a quick analysis and I have returned 45 bad radios to Tranzeo. However, I have received 40 working radios back from them, so I'm only really out about 5. Out of 1000 or so customers, I think that is an acceptable balance between inexpensive CPE and quality of construction. Heck, I've got at least five dead Atmel boards in my shop out of 10 that were originally deployed. My impression is that the part of the unit that fails is generally the radio board. It would be nice to be able to have a CPE that we could open up and just replace the guts that have gone bad, but other than that I can't really think of a better way to handle it. We maintain ownership of our CPE units, so we don't charge the customer if their radio goes bad unless it is obvious that they did something to it. I do know of a few out there who are charging a maintenance or customer service fee extra and it is working for them. I for one have strongly preferred to use a no hidden charges pricing plan that is inclusive of everything rather than tacking on a bunch of extra items. In the long run, the value of the customer and the cash flow from the customer far outweighs the cost of the radio. Some out there prefer to build their own CPE with cb3 or wrap boards inside, but for volume deployment and price it is pretty hard to beat the Tranzeo package. I'm doing a few WRAPs with 5Ghz Rootennas for business customers, but it is kind of a pain compared to the Tranzeos because of all the extra work involved to collect the equipment/assemble/test/configure. Matt Larsen [EMAIL PROTECTED] George wrote: I feel for ya JohhnyO, seriously. I've changed out every Smart bridge I ever installed except two and dittto for tranzeos. The EZ Bridges were great for a while, but going past 2 years now with them and we're starting to replace them as well. I'm not sure how many rados I've replaced this year, but it seems lately it's more and more. At almost 700 subs, the replacement rate grows, but then again the revenue does as well. I bet I have a couple hundred dead or upgraded cpes in my collection. George JohnnyO wrote: George - that may work in your neck of the woods and I have been doing the same since day 1. This past year - we replaced over $8,000 worth of CPEs - that is almost a full months revenue for us Mind you - we dealt with hurricanes and severe lightning - but - - - we can no longer as a company sustain those types of hits That is 8k in equipment costs - not the additional 5k worth of labor for the trips to the CPE. I am In an area that will constantly have severe lightning issues, hurricanes, wicked thunderstorms and high winds. How many CPEs did you replace in the last 12 months ? I have tracked and count 43 here. JohnnyO -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of George Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 11:03 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
Matt Larsen - Lists wrote: It would be nice to be able to have a CPE that we could open up and just replace the guts that have gone bad, but other than that I can't really think of a better way to handle it. And this is the reason I didn't go back to Tranzeo. I used them before smart bridges and when it was time to change, not having access to the card was the reason I did not buy Tranzeo. I have had cards go bad with the TT ez Bridges, but swapping out the card was easy and inexpensive as compared to sending the entire unit back. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
This is the way all my demarctech.com radios are. It's all I've ever used. I go to a site, pop 4 screws...unplug pigtailplug in new board.screw in 4 screws and I'm off to configure. It's all mounted so you don't have to re aim or anything. I like it. I happen to know they are getting into a much bigger building, getting a few people hired and are getting some products ready that will blow the socks off whats out there for price v performance. I believe with the new people on board any issues some of you had (I've heard complaining different places) with support will go away. In the past they were hard to get on the phone. I've seen some major improvements over the last 2.5 years and expect good things in the next 90 days. (ok Tony, send me free stuff) Brian George wrote: Matt Larsen - Lists wrote: It would be nice to be able to have a CPE that we could open up and just replace the guts that have gone bad, but other than that I can't really think of a better way to handle it. -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
Title: Insurance / Service Plan Offerings Hi, We retain ownership of the CPE, so when it goes bad, we replace it free of charge. If they are out of contract, we have them sign a new 12 month contract and they get it for free. Travis Microserv JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
RE: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
George - that may work in your neck of the woods and I have been doing the same since day 1. This past year - we replaced over $8,000 worth of CPEs - that is almost a full months revenue for us Mind you - we dealt with hurricanes and severe lightning - but - - - we can no longer as a company sustain those types of hits That is 8k in equipment costs - not the additional 5k worth of labor for the trips to the CPE. I am In an area that will constantly have severe lightning issues, hurricanes, wicked thunderstorms and high winds. How many CPEs did you replace in the last 12 months ? I have tracked and count 43 here. JohnnyO -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of George Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 11:03 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
I'm curious about this too.. Are you using off-the-shelf stuff? Can you sell an insurance policy to customers to offset the replacement costs? JohnnyO wrote: George - that may work in your neck of the woods and I have been doing the same since day 1. This past year - we replaced over $8,000 worth of CPEs - that is almost a full months revenue for us Mind you - we dealt with hurricanes and severe lightning - but - - - we can no longer as a company sustain those types of hits That is 8k in equipment costs - not the additional 5k worth of labor for the trips to the CPE. I am In an area that will constantly have severe lightning issues, hurricanes, wicked thunderstorms and high winds. How many CPEs did you replace in the last 12 months ? I have tracked and count 43 here. JohnnyO -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of George Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 11:03 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
What George wrote. It can be annoying to replace equipment, but, the hassle of trying to talk the customer into replacing it is just not worth it. With 200 subs, I am replacing an average of 1 radio a month. Not too bad at all -- Blair Davis West Michigan Wireless ISP 269-686-8648 George wrote: JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
RE: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
That is what the insurance plan would prevent - They will have a choice to opt out - but if they do - they will be responsible for the cost of a new CPE. If it were only 1 CPE a month - I wouldn't sweat it - but 6 months out of the year - it's almost 8 per month ! I was thinking charging $3.95/mo - if I could get half of my Customer base to pay it - that would be almost $500.00/mo in revenue generated to help offset the expense. Would prevent us from having to go through a rate increase which would be much harder to swallow for a customer I think. Cellular companies / Satellite companies / pager companies - they all have service plans to offset the costs of replacing equipment for a customer - was thinking - why not a WISP ? JohnnyO -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Blair Davis Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 10:12 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings What George wrote. It can be annoying to replace equipment, but, the hassle of trying to talk the customer into replacing it is just not worth it. With 200 subs, I am replacing an average of 1 radio a month. Not too bad at all -- Blair Davis West Michigan Wireless ISP 269-686-8648 George wrote: JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
I feel for ya JohhnyO, seriously. I've changed out every Smart bridge I ever installed except two and dittto for tranzeos. The EZ Bridges were great for a while, but going past 2 years now with them and we're starting to replace them as well. I'm not sure how many rados I've replaced this year, but it seems lately it's more and more. At almost 700 subs, the replacement rate grows, but then again the revenue does as well. I bet I have a couple hundred dead or upgraded cpes in my collection. George JohnnyO wrote: George - that may work in your neck of the woods and I have been doing the same since day 1. This past year - we replaced over $8,000 worth of CPEs - that is almost a full months revenue for us Mind you - we dealt with hurricanes and severe lightning - but - - - we can no longer as a company sustain those types of hits That is 8k in equipment costs - not the additional 5k worth of labor for the trips to the CPE. I am In an area that will constantly have severe lightning issues, hurricanes, wicked thunderstorms and high winds. How many CPEs did you replace in the last 12 months ? I have tracked and count 43 here. JohnnyO -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of George Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 11:03 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
So your subs own the CPE? Brian JohnnyO wrote: That is what the insurance plan would prevent - They will have a choice to "opt out" - but if they do - they will be responsible for the "cost" of a new CPE. If it were only 1 CPE a month - I wouldn't sweat it - but 6 months out of the year - it's almost 8 per month ! I was thinking charging $3.95/mo - if I could get half of my Customer base to pay it - that would be almost $500.00/mo in revenue generated to help offset the expense. Would prevent us from having to go through a rate increase which would be much harder to swallow for a customer I think. Cellular companies / Satellite companies / pager companies - they all have service plans to offset the costs of replacing equipment for a customer - was thinking - why not a WISP ? JohnnyO -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Blair Davis Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 10:12 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings What George wrote. It can be annoying to replace equipment, but, the hassle of trying to talk the customer into replacing it is just not worth it. With 200 subs, I am replacing an average of 1 radio a month. Not too bad at all -- Blair Davis West Michigan Wireless ISP 269-686-8648 George wrote: JohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO I am eating it. I bet if I told every customer who's radio died that they had to pay for a new one, we'd have less subs. I own all the radios and accept the responsibility. another way I look at it, it's cheaper to give an existing sub a 100.00 radio and get 500 for the next 12 months than it is to go without revenue and have to pay for advertising to get new subs to replace the one that I just lost. But, it's the way I do this in this market. George -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
RE: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
Title: Insurance / Service Plan Offerings Hrmm, what about getting subs to pay for the installation cost for the replacement trip ? Bill 'em $75 or so for the service call to replace it - that'd go somewhere toward paying some of the CPE off. From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of CliffSent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 12:29 AMTo: WISPA General ListSubject: RE: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings We also retain ownership to the CPE and replace at our cost when not due to customer misuse or abuse (which has happened and I charged for the replacement). Also, all of my service contracts AUTO-RENEW. Therefore, if I do not receive a cancel request in writing within 30 days of contract fulfillment, it will auto-renew under the same terms and conditions as the original. This has worked to our advantage a few times. It is totally up to you to enforce, negotiate a settlement or just relieve sub from fulfillment. The auto-fulfillment is another reason I dont mind replacing the CPE when needed. - Cliff From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Travis JohnsonSent: Monday, November 14, 2005 9:47 PMTo: WISPA General ListSubject: Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings Hi,We retain ownership of the CPE, so when it goes bad, we replace it free of charge. If they are out of contract, we have them sign a new 12 month contract and they get it for free.TravisMicroservJohnnyO wrote: We're coming into our 3rd year of operation soon. I am curious how others are doing combat against the replacement / repair / service call costs associated with having to replace CPE end equipment. I was thinking about offering a service plan like DirecTV / Cellular Companies etc, but not sure how to introduce or impiliment this. Help and suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, JohnnyO -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Insurance / Service Plan Offerings
i like that idea. have the contract read that replacement of the equipment for whatever reason incurs a minimum trip charge of $75 or buy insurance @ $4 a month. Peter R. wrote: The DISH network actually charges for replacement. I had a DVR go bad and it cost me $50 for replacement. Ain't much, but it ain't free. What about charging a maintenance fee? It could be a surcharge to your service like the RBOCs add DSL fees and inside wire maintenance. Has anyone looked into getting asset insurance? Thank you. Regards, Peter RAD-INFO, Inc. - NSP Strategist We Help ISPs Connect Communicate 813.963.5884 http://4isps.com ISP Expo in Tampa, Dec. 9 10 -- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
