OK, back to my original question: Does anyone have a fee schedule for their installer/repair subcontractors? I'm trying to cover every possible scenario. Here is what I've put together:
Subcontractor Fee Schedule $75 – Standard installation of KyWiFi customer premises equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions including install mount to an outside wall, radio/antenna installation, transmitter configuration, drilling through one exterior wall and one interior wall or floor, installation of up to 150’ of cable with wall/floor bushings, termination to one computer or router, configuration of one router and one PC. $15 – Extended cable run up to 300’. $30 – Service call to replace cable performed on site at customer’s premises. $20 – Service call to replace radio/antenna performed on site at customer’s premises. $10 – Service call to replace POE, and/or power supply performed on site at customer’s premises. $5 – NTF. i.e. reset radio/router. Note: May be billable to customer! $5 – Anti-virus/Adware software download, installation, configuration and customer orientation. $5 – Installation no show, must wait 30 minutes and must attempt to call customer twice. $5 – Site survey performed on site at prospective customer’s premises. $5 – Extended area trip fee (outside of Montgomery County). $10/hour for any services not described above. $25 – Bonus for 10 or more customer installations performed in a one week (Saturday - Sunday) period. -RickG On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 11:22 AM, RickG <rgunder...@gmail.com> wrote: > It sounds like you are a "character"! > I'm glad your marketing and service efforts are paying off. > I actually have had much the same results. > Good work and Thanks! > -RickG > > On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 7:25 AM, Mike <m...@aweiowa.com> wrote: >> Actually, since they are a cellular company and can have unlimited >> bandwidth, they are faster right now. That will change as they build >> out. The customer money stays local instead of going out of town >> when they "shop" with me. >> >> I write a weekly column for the paper so am well known in the area; >> that helps a bunch. >> >> I drive a trailer to local events and set up free WiFi. That has >> certainly raised awareness. >> >> I have brought broadband to people who absolutely couldn't get it any >> other way. National statistics will show there is a definite boost >> to property value if a household is able to get high speed >> Internet. I've actually had people make a house buying decision on >> whether we could bring them broadband or not. >> >> I have a flashing light I can turn on placed on 2 of the towers. A >> site survey begins by a phone conversation, turning on the light and >> "can you see it now?" That has really helped and raised awareness. >> >> Superior customer service. Money stays locally. Dealing with a >> local character. >> >> Mike >> >> At 06:09 PM 10/13/2009, you wrote: >>>Is it a comparable service? What do you give versus what they give? >>> >>>On Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 2:13 PM, Mike <m...@aweiowa.com> wrote: >>> > Rick: >>> > >>> > The competition that came at me is 39.00. Mine, if you pay promptly >>> > is 42.50. They intentionally came in under me. Like I've said, only >>> > 2 have jumped ship. >>> > >>> > At 11:08 AM 10/13/2009, you wrote: >>> >>But, do the ones who have a choice for cheaper service and out of >>> >>contract stay with you? >>> >>-RickG >>> >> >>> >>On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 11:28 PM, Mike <m...@aweiowa.com> wrote: >>> >> > Similar to your example of perceived value, we extract a capital fee >>> >> > up front when putting on a new customer. My accountant described it >>> >> > like joining a health club, you get to use the equipment but don't >>> >> > get to take it home. The fee is the real cost of installing. Easy >>> >> > ones are 150 bucks. Others vary according to difficulty. So they >>> >> > buy in to the whole thing from the get go. >>> >> > >>> >> > Our rates are 45.00. If you pay on time, from email billing, you >>> >> > take off 2.50 and its 42.50. >>> >> > >>> >> > I think I have a very loyal bunch of customers. I didn't know what >>> >> > to expect when the two year contracts started expiring, but MOST have >>> >> > stayed with us. >>> >> > >>> >> > Best Regards, >>> >> > >>> >> > Mike >>> >> > >>> >> > At 09:47 PM 10/12/2009, you wrote: >>> >> >>Mike, >>> >> >> >>> >> >>Since I began working, even as a teenager, I worked 60-80 hours a week >>> >> >>giving customers the best I could. I'm now 49 and still work at least >>> >> >>that many hours. At least now, I own my company and do it for myself. >>> >> >>In fact, before I owned my own company my reputation was "Mr.Service". >>> >> >>Heck, I've watched the sun rise from a customers computers! People >>> >> >>have always told me I have a great work ethic. I have always thought - >>> >> >>give'em great service and they'll stick. It's not true! Given the >>> >> >>opportunity, for less than $5/month they WILL switch without even an >>> >> >>apology! >>> >> >>So, dont get me wrong, I still give great service but have realized I >>> >> >>have previously given too much. All I did was take a lot of time away >>> >> >>from my family to help customers that only appreciate it at the time. >>> >> >>Again, I'm not saying dont give great service - what I am saying is >>> >> >>dont give away the store. Maybe you can afford it but every move you >>> >> >>make should be profitable, otherwise you will end up out of business >>> >> >>or in a poor mental state from work burnout. Have you ever looked at >>> >> >>the competition knowing you give better service yet they are still >>> >> >>winning? In fact, I've seen more people respect the competition >>> >> >>because they are higher priced or charge for everything. It is truly a >>> >> >>mindset. I believe there is a balance that must constantly be >>> >> >>maintained. Which is why I asked the question, billable or not? >>> >> >>Again, your business model may be different but using you scenario >>> >> >>below is difficult to achieve in mine. Perhaps your monthly rates are >>> >> >>higher, installation higher, or your bottom line is not as important >>> >> >>to you? Somebody always has to pay the piper. Most people understand >>> >> >>capitolism and the need to be profitable so you can pay the bills. >>> >> >>What good is it to go out of business just so they can go back to dial >>> >> >>up? >>> >> >>Furthermore, I have found another interesting outcome by giving work >>> >> >>away - other customers either come to expect it or get jealous. >>> >> >>What is really expected by the customers who give you their hard >>> >> >>earned money is a good product for what they pay. They also deserve an >>> >> >>efficiently run company with proper business practices to get the most >>> >> >>bang for their bucks. And on that note, isnt there always something to >>> >> >>do to improve the network? Why give so much time to one customer when >>> >> >>you can work on the network and improve it for all? I realzie you said >>> >> >>minor things but it all adds up. What they should expect is exactly >>> >> >>what you put in the contract and/or TOS. In my case, it's the >>> >> >>bandwidth I promised them and working equipment to get it there. All >>> >> >>else is not part of the contract and therefore should be billable. >>> >> >> >>> >> >>-RickG >>> >> >> >>> >> >>On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 9:48 PM, Mike <m...@aweiowa.com> wrote: >>> >> >> > When I was a young man, a writer, I was idealistic and ready to >>> >> >> > conquer the world. In short order I grew up and lost my >>> >> >> > idealism. Since starting this business I have regained some of >>> >> >> that idealism. >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > My experience is the opposite. I usually take care of those >>> >> >> > customers who need minor help with things THEY consider part of MY >>> >> >> > network. I would not have gone overhead unless there was no way to >>> >> >> > trench. Direct burial cable is cheap. A trench can be made with a >>> >> >> > power edger with a new blade. An aerial should be tied to a >>> >> >> > supporting rope or wire. >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > Most of my customers knew they couldn't get Internet except slow >>> >> >> > dialup before we came along. Is it loyalty? A new company has been >>> >> >> > selling in my county off of their cellular towers. I have only lost >>> >> >> > 2 customers to them. >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > Never underestimate the power of good customer service. >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > Mike >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > At 07:58 PM 10/12/2009, you wrote: >>> >> >> >>I used to think that but I have found no matter how much you give >>> >> >> >>away, there is no loyalty! The monthly rate is all most care about. >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >>On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Mike <m...@aweiowa.com> wrote: >>> >> >> >> > If it is a good customer, I'd either do it for nothing, or for >>> >> >> >> > materials. You may just retain that customer for the >>> next two years >>> >> >> >> > because of your good will. >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > If he is prepared for $50 and its easy and doesn't take you >>> >> >> >> > long, >>> >> >> >> > you can say give me $20.00 for the cable and the custom ends, and >>> >> >> >> > we'll call it even. >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > Either way, you'll make a friend/keep a customer; and >>> they do talk. >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > Our hourly billing is $60. Usually to make network settings, get >>> >> >> >> > virus protection on a machine ... >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > At 09:52 AM 10/12/2009, you wrote: >>> >> >> >> >>Here's the scenario: Customer has an aerial ethernet run from his >>> >> >> >> >>garage to his home. A tree branch fell and cut the line. >>> I told him >>> >> >> >> >>we'll replace it for a $50 fee. Does this sound fair? >>> >> >> >> >>Also, does anyone have a fee schedule they use for billable >>> >> >> >> >>calls? >>> >> >> >> >>Thanks! >>> >> >> >> >>-RickG >>> >> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >> >> >> -------------- >>> >> >> >> >>WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>> >> >> >> >>http://signup.wispa.org/ >>> >> >> >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >> >> >> -------------- >>> >> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> >> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>> >> >> >> >>http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> >> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >> >> >> > WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>> >> >> >> > http://signup.wispa.org/ >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>> >> >> >> > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>> >> >> >> > >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >> >> -------------- >>> >> >> >>WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>> >> >> >>http://signup.wispa.org/ >>> >> >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >> >> -------------- >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >>WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >>Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>> >> >> >>http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >>Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> >>> >> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >> >> > WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>> >> >> > http://signup.wispa.org/ >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> >>> >> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>> >> >> > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >> -------------- >>> >> >>WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>> >> >>http://signup.wispa.org/ >>> >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >> -------------- >>> >> >> >>> >> >>WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> >> >> >>> >> >>Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>> >> >>http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> >> >> >>> >> >>Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >> > WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>> >> > http://signup.wispa.org/ >>> >> > >>> >> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >> > >>> >> > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> >> > >>> >> > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>> >> > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> >> > >>> >> > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>> >> > >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> -------------- >>> >>WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>> >>http://signup.wispa.org/ >>> >>------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> -------------- >>> >> >>> >>WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> >> >>> >>Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>> >>http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> >> >>> >>Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> > WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>> > http://signup.wispa.org/ >>> > >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> > >>> > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> > >>> > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>> > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> > >>> > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>> > >>> >>> >>>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>>http://signup.wispa.org/ >>>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >>>WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> >>>Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>>http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> >>>Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >> >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> WISPA Wants You! Join today! >> http://signup.wispa.org/ >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >> >> Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >> http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >> >> Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
