Best trade prices?

[Splamone]

I have recently setup a business to design and install systems but am having difficulty finding prices for AV equipment that are better than what is already offered online. Could someone please let me know of a trade supplier that offers TVs and AV equipment that would allow me to make a small profit (to cover the time spent finding and buying the equipment) or is it a case of buying products from the cheap online shops for no profit at all?

Thanks.

[SeanT]

Originally Posted by Splamone

I have recently setup a business to design and install systems but am having difficulty finding prices for AV equipment that are better than what is already offered online.

Join the club

[vex]

I agree with SeanT.

There is no money in the electronics and AV hardware when competeing against the web boys.

Which is why we focus on the wiring and infrastructure rather than the whizzy bits on the end. It also leaves the end user to make his/her own choice regarding the electronics.

Happy to talk more if you want to.

Chris

[Splamone]

Thanks for the information. That's what I thought but it's a bit of a pain when they want you to get all the equipment for them. Something has to be added on for the time taken to order it all.

[neilball]

There is abosoultely no point in trying to compete with online box shifters. You need to demonstrate why you charge a higher price to cover your value-added services. You need to make a fair profit for your time, service and expertise. This may mean having to explain why your kit is more expensive than when sourced from you but when you explain that a fault with the customers nice shiny new wall mounted plasma means that either they need to take it down, box it up and ship it back for repair and then refit it when it returns or pay a higher but fair price so that they can pick up the phone and have you sort it out.

[rhino2k]

generally if people ask me to get them something, i will use my resources and find the cheapest one possible. then i will add a fee on top, but still sell it to them at a fair discount from the usual high street price.

this way everyone is happy, but if you are making no money (i'll assume most of your customers have done their homework) then it is surely better to let them sort out buying all the gear?

then it's not down to you to sort it out if something breaks, plus you get to tell them they will know better and buy from you next time

btw i'm a self employed builder, but i do work with computers in my spare time.

i am starting to get alot of interest in all my AV gear now and think it will only be a matter of time before i do a few installs

[vex]

Most of the installers we work with recoup thier money on the install rather than the supply side.

My suggestion would be get [a good supplier behind you ] a few good quality installs under your belt, photograph them for a portfolio and then you can start to increase you install prices based on the portfolio of work you have do.

You'll also find that nothing is as good as word of mouth.

Chris

[rhino2k]

Originally Posted by vex

You'll also find that nothing is as good as word of mouth.
Chris

agreed!

with my current line of work we can be quite picky with jobs, went to one we quoted today and the guy said another had a similar quote but including machine hire which was going to be over £1600.

conversation went something like....

can you stomach that £1600 to get the job? Nope.....can you meet me half way? Nope......blimey you must be busy.....Yep

we have 4 jobs going atm, i would love to have the customers with av stuff.

hopefully as home AV interest grows i will start to get customers, using my own gear/installs as a portfolio

[Joe Fernand]

Hello Splamone

Let the customers got get the kit - if YOU sell them an expensive TV and make zero or a small margin YOU are responsible for up to SIX years for that TV working!!!

Charge them for your 'shopping' or design time and give them a 'buy it' list.

I'm always amazed at why everyone is so desperate to sell kit!!!

I can now buy some kit retail for lower than I can buy it direct from the manufacturer.

Best regards

Joe

[Spy]

How about offering them a "personal shopper" deal.

You will charge them 10% of any saving you make them by finding them the cheapest supplier.

This way you get to make some money on top of your installation, offer an independent advice and save them money !

[Joe Fernand]

No, No, No...

If you can get away with it make your money Designing, Installing, Programming and Commissioning!

You have no big upfront cash outlay, no money held back because the spark messed up and didn't put a 13 Amp socket where you require it and the client now wont pay the £10K you shelled out for the kit your making less than 10% on and no calls to say a pixel just dropped out on the unit you supplied 366 days ago.

Plus you don't need a big van, storage space, kit insurance, etc!!!

Joe

[Spy]

Joe,

I didn't mean that he supplies the kit for 10% but puts them in touch with a supplier and takes 10% of any saving he has managed to make them.

This could be an additional service i.e. bargain hunter middle man

I agree, you don't want the hassle of supplying something you are responsible for when there is hardly any margin in it.

[rodster]

Originally Posted by Spy

Joe,

I didn't mean that he supplies the kit for 10% but puts them in touch with a supplier and takes 10% of any saving he has managed to make them.

This could be an additional service i.e. bargain hunter middle man

I agree, you don't want the hassle of supplying something you are responsible for when there is hardly any margin in it.

You mean mr kelkoo.

[Spy]

Yes - Mr Kelkoo !

You would be surprised, the average person is happy to walk into their local Sony shop and pay full price for something that can be obtained ata great discount !

[rhino2k]

Originally Posted by Joe Fernand

Hello Splamone

Let the customers got get the kit - if YOU sell them an expensive TV and make zero or a small margin YOU are responsible for up to SIX years for that TV working!!!

Charge them for your 'shopping' or design time and give them a 'buy it' list.

I'm always amazed at why everyone is so desperate to sell kit!!!

I can now buy some kit retail for lower than I can buy it direct from the manufacturer.

Best regards

Joe

thats a very good point mate, think i will use spy's idea to a point....

i will offer to find them the cheapest prices in return for a small cash sum or if i get the job of installing go from there