An area where more business can be found is in becoming an Authorized Agent for companies like DirectTV, Local Cable company, Dish Network, etc.

Does anyone have ideas around this? Has anyone done this and if so how is it working for you?

Other than the names listed above who else could be become an authorized agent for?

jwilliamsoh - 10 July 2009 09:39 AM

An area where more business can be found is in becoming an Authorized Agent for companies like DirectTV, Local Cable company, Dish Network, etc.

Does anyone have ideas around this? Has anyone done this and if so how is it working for you?

Other than the names listed above who else could be become an authorized agent for?

I’m a bit fuzzy on the topic… Would you care to expand a bit more?

Ovi

While this may appear to be a great way to expand business, it can turn into a hornets nest of problems.  Becoming a service provider for DirectTV or cable companies can take away from installs for other items that generate more revenue.  Rolling a truck for just a satellite dish or cable installl is not cost effective unless it is all that you do and do a large number in a day.  Another point to consider is the support costs, once you are known as the service provider you will need to support it.  This too requires a large staff to support..

On the up side, adding these services can provide a benefit if they are only done as part of a larger install where a complete theater or whole house system is being performed.  At a former company we would not perform a satellite installation unless we were installing more, the cost of sending an installer to just install a dish was not worth the cost or the truck roll,, even though we sold DirectTV boxes and service.  Customers wanting only satellite were reffered to the DirectTV installer, if they wanted more we would perform the install as there was an increase in the overall installation.

Bottom line is that experience has shown that adding services such as cable and DirectTV can be beneficial, that benefit can only be seen if it is handled correctly.  Look at the cost vs. the profit and come up with a business plan before signing the deal…

Good question.  This is similar to asking yourself about how far you want to go in offering security or phones or any other sub system.

Security - do you offer monitoring as well as installation?  If so, what does your state require?
Phones - do you install basic systems or become certified on digital/ IP based products?
Audio - is it enough to pop speakers in the wall and ceiling or do you want to have a trained theater audio calibrator on staff?
Video - hang and bang good enough or should someone be ISF certified for video calibration?
Satellite - if DirecTV offers “free installation” how do you keep your customer from calling up Bob the satellite installer and having him dangle coax across the roof?
Network - do you run Cat5 and call it a day?  Or are you setup to do verification and testing.  What about fiber?

DirecTV - you can go to the careers section of their web site and look into becoming an authorized installer.  You fill out a form and they get back to you.  If you go through the process, you’ll have to meet their requirements for signing up new accounts - I think it’s a minimum of 1 a week.  If this is just an add-on to your other services it may make more sense to partner with an installer who is focused on DirecTV and have them “sign up” the customer and you handle the actual setup.

Happy hooking up,

Dave Wright - 05 August 2009 08:22 PM

While this may appear to be a great way to expand business, it can turn into a hornets nest of problems.  Becoming a service provider for DirectTV or cable companies can take away from installs for other items that generate more revenue.  Rolling a truck for just a satellite dish or cable installl is not cost effective unless it is all that you do and do a large number in a day.  Another point to consider is the support costs, once you are known as the service provider you will need to support it.  This too requires a large staff to support..

On the up side, adding these services can provide a benefit if they are only done as part of a larger install where a complete theater or whole house system is being performed.  At a former company we would not perform a satellite installation unless we were installing more, the cost of sending an installer to just install a dish was not worth the cost or the truck roll,, even though we sold DirectTV boxes and service.  Customers wanting only satellite were reffered to the DirectTV installer, if they wanted more we would perform the install as there was an increase in the overall installation.

Bottom line is that experience has shown that adding services such as cable and DirectTV can be beneficial, that benefit can only be seen if it is handled correctly.  Look at the cost vs. the profit and come up with a business plan before signing the deal…

I agree with Dave, you really need a 20 man group if you carry inventory, do 2-2-2 follow ups to avoid chargebacks, inventory audit, manage sales crew, and make sure your installers show up to the job site.  You can sign up with fulfillment, but you have to do hundreds of activations to qualify for that, and if you’re starting up it’s hard to commit to that kind of volume.  Or you can partner with a company that has distribution agreements (high volume) so that you don’t have to worry about inventory and installations.

You’ve already received good advice from the above posts, but let me cut to the chase…

Anyone who’s interested in becoming a DirecTV, Dish Network, or local cable company agent has either a serious drinking problem, a death wish, or couldn’t get past the 1st Amway meet & greet.

If you want high volume, high profit, without complaints from your clients, may I suggest a career in becoming a Tele-Evangelist…

jwilliamsoh - 10 July 2009 09:39 AM

An area where more business can be found is in becoming an Authorized Agent for companies like DirectTV, Local Cable company, Dish Network, etc.

Does anyone have ideas around this? Has anyone done this and if so how is it working for you?

Other than the names listed above who else could be become an authorized agent for?

Stick with straight fulfillment programs where inventory and installers are not necessary.  It is an easy way to get a feel for the program and then you can decide if you want to hire a crew to do this.  My company does strict fulfillment for dish, charter etc. and it is an easy way for dealers to get started.