Tim Baillie.

I always wonder why salesmen will try and never discount the price of the product, but in the same sentance they will try and give the labor away for free....................right Kyle...................

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

It's too bad that the big box stores do not know the true value of an employee and their ability to sell things. I held one of the records at a big box store for years (probably still do for tha matter) for top sales, the installer was on a 50/50 split and he worked alone. He was so busy that I lost sales because the shop would not hire an additional installer and the single installer did not want to lose any money (greed factor). The big box retailer is the one primary factor that may drive the industry but they are also the primary factor in it's devalueing of a product.

This industry in Canada is not growing at all, it is receding. More business is not being done, it is being stolen from one company and given to another. It all starts with the advertising and who has the lowest price. Who do you think started the free installation in Canada as a way to steal business from their competitors?, the small indipendent or the big box who could advertise it heavily. A cd player that may cost $125.00 being sold for $179.00 installed - is this really smart or is it a way to steal business. How much money is actually made on this. Does the commission guy even want to sell it or the install want a 50/50 split of a devalued install - I think not, yet every month the free install and free 6.5" speakers are blatently thrown out in advertising to steal business away from their competitors. The more business they steal away, the more they hurt their competitor as they plot their demise.

Westec

iTrader: (1)

What about creating some excitement for the industry? If you only want to put 5 1/4 speakers in Hondas all day. Then a big box retailer is for you. I see over 300+ retailers a year, how come the shops doing custom labour are booked months in advance and are charging good money? Because these retailers "sell" themselves, creating a market in their areas. People seem to think, if your a good installer, the customers will come. No, it depends on your relationship with your customers, your attitide and the value of your services. You have to create you own work. If you cannot offer anything more than a big box retailer, why would a customer come to your shop? Maybe ask yourself this...no one wants to cheapest ****, no one wants the minimum. You have to "sell" yourself or the idea of the retail store. Alot of companies forget this. Ask yourself, what is the "vision" of your company? What are you trying to do or sell? Think about it...if you want to do fibreglass boxes all day, what are you doing to promote your store in that direction?

Hum...