Integrity Vs. Making a living [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

I would like to propose that we encourage our manufacturers to set up
"Certified Installer" programs, with training and testing. Product
warranties would be the normal 2-5 years on any product installed by that
product's Certified Installer, and 90 or 180 days (enough to cover infant
mortality) otherwise. It would completely change the playing field, and make
the internet discounters' prices appropriate to the value received.

Allan at Positive Energy

PS: I believe that Ray is referring to the same distributor to whom we have
been loyal for about the same period. I also believe that we have seen (and
redone) the work of that "dangerously incompetent installer" that Ray refers
to, and he's right.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray Walters" <remotech at taosnm.com>
> I wanted to stay out of this, but .... I just met with my distributor who
I
> have been loyally buying from for over 6 years. What does that kind of
long
> term relationship get you? Pricing above the .coms, and worst: they're
> supplying my local competition including dangerously incompetent
installers
> and mega discounters selling at my cost.
> Meanwhile, I have been foolishly trying to offer my customers top quality
> design, installation, service, and education.The super discounting is way
> worse than keeping me from being competitive; it creates bad will. All my
> efforts to win my customer's trust dissolve when that customer thinks that
> I over charged them.
> I don't have a problem with solar panels selling for $3.25/ watt. Lower
> prices are accelerating the growth of our industry and making solar more
> competitive with fossil fuels. We, the wrenches simply need a reasonable
> margin to cover our contribution to the sell.
> The solution to this was addressed previously:
> 1) establish firm chains of distribution with fair profit margins for all,
> 2) limit discount advertising,
> 3) thoroughly train and certify dealers,
> 4) set dealers up with separate sells territories.
> 5) refer business from a national advertising campaign to the local
dealer.
> (Hmmm, sounds like other businesses.)
> We the wrenches can only complain, but the manufacturers and their
> distributors hold the future integrity of the solar business in their
hands.
>

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