Marketing Issue [RE-wrenches]

[Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection]

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Matt,
Assume nothing. While I live and work in CA, there are NO rebates up 
this-a-way. The great majority of my work is offgrid and I buy 
pre-packaged NOTHING. I've always maintained that I can put the 
individual components on the wall, get paid my full rate to do so and 
still save my clients $$. Offgrid systems usually have more 
components by far than on grid anyway.
Apparently, you are stuck in an area where there is much competition 
for the work and y'all have gone to cookie-cutter systems to compete 
with Home Depot or something. Welcome to California where you can get 
a license to do PV work for box tops. Is it any wonder that the CEC 
is contemplating requiring NABCEP certification to try and swing the 
rudder back? An A or B licensee able to install PV? Sheer stupidity. 
Even so, if I use your example, you are seeing half your profit 
coming from the parts. That's far cry from what Joel is proposing.
Best, Bob-O


>Jeez-0, Bob-0, profits in the hundreds for a decent sized system? Thousands
>for the components? I suppose that depends on what kind of system it is
>you're talking about. In our ground mount systems, the installation profits
>often equal or exceed the materials profit. I assume you must be using
>pre-packaged
>systems applied to a "standard" comp shingle roof to have such a dismal
>installation margin.
>
>With profits on equipment ranging from 20 to 33% on a 2500 Watt system and
>an installation cost of around $10. per Watt, things seem to be pretty even
>to me.
>
>Matt T
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Bob-O Schultze, Electron Connection" <econnect at snowcrest.net>
>To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2003 7:39 PM
>Subject: Re: Marketing Issue [RE-wrenches]
>
>
>>  Joel,
>>  That is absolute nonsense two ways.
>>  1) In a fairly priced, decent sized system, the profit on the
>>  components is measured in thousands whereas the profit on labor is
>>  measured in hundreds.
>>  2) Once a Wrench touches a system, it's his/her responsibility-for a
>>  hell of a long time if not forever. It's probable that there will be
>>  service calls sooner or later. A fair profit on the parts upfront
>>  will cover a service call or two without having to argue with the
>>  client over whether or not it was your fault that the part failed.
>>  You may know, but he/she doesn't and they have nothing to lose by
>>  arguing the point. And we all know how most manus compensate Wrenches
>>  for dealing with component failure..... Go to Helen Waite.
>>  Been awhile since you've done much field work, hasn't it?
>>  Cheers, Bob-O
>>
>>  >  Installers make more money
>>  >selling their skilled labor. If the customer buys the wrong part, that's
>>  >their problem. If the customer installs the system wrong, that's an
>>  >opportunity for you to sell your skilled labor if you so choose.
>>  >
>>  >Best regards,
>  > >Joel Davidson
>  >

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